Feeding Corn to Beef Cattle (2024)

FAQs

What is the problem with feeding corn to cattle? ›

The addition of corn to the diet of a steer changes the chemistry of its digestive system and leads to serious illnesses, including bloat and acidosis.

To maintain maximal forage utilization, corn should not be supplemented at more than 0.25% of body weight. This equates to 2.5 lb for a 1000-lb cow, 3 lb for a 1200- lb cow, and 3.5 lb for a 1400-lb cow. These recommen- dations are based on whole shelled corn.

Even though corn can be fed whole with satisfactory results, cracking or rolling prior to feeding will increase digestibility by 5 to 10 percent. In most instances, grinding or rolling corn will not markedly improve average daily gain, but proper processing will improve feed conversion efficiency.

Corn has the highest energy value and is likely the most economical grain in corn-producing localities. Corn, oats, and barley are the primary grains fed to cattle. Oats, which has a lower energy value due to its high fiber content, is considered the "safest" grain in regards to potential digestive disturbances.

Corn can be used in many different types of backgrounding and finishing diets, and it can serve as a supplement in forage-based diets for beef cows. However, corn is relatively low in protein and high in starch, which can affect forage utilization negatively, especially in diets based on lower-quality forages.

Cows can be fed whole corn as a supplement. Corn would be considered an energy feed and therefore an energy supplement. In high forage cow diets, I would not feed more than 3 to 4 lb per head per day.

Not only do cattle fed corn gain weight faster, but their meat contains more marbling, or fat, along with a more consistent taste. In contrast, meat from grass-fed beef contains fewer calories and far less fat.

10-15 lbs. per day of corn, oats or barley fed to grazing cattle is a good finishing ration. This fed to a 900-1000 pound steer for 3-4 months should will you a nicely finished animal. If you do not have access to pasture or if you are finishing during the winter, you might increase the amount of grain to 15-18 lbs.

Overall, ADG, feed efficiency, and starch digestibility of the corn being fed to feedlot cattle did not differ when fed as whole shelled corn or dry processed corn, regardless of the small appearance of whole corn kernels present in the manure.

A summary of 14 experiments showed high-moisture ground ear corn increased gains by 3 percent and feed efficiency by 10 percent over dry ground ear corn. High-moisture ear corn makes a palatable, complete finishing ration for beef cattle.

What is the best feed for cattle weight gain? ›

FEEDING FOR WEIGHT GAIN

At the cow-calf level, when fed properly, whole cottonseed and corn are ingredients he recommends often because they are energy dense and high in fat.

Starting cattle on feed

Roughages that are satisfactory for mixing with whole-shelled corn in self- feeders to start cattle include cottonseed hulls, corn cobs, ground hay, rice hulls, and pelleted roughages.

“Corn residue is one of the lowest cost forages on a cost per pound of energy. That's why mixing a high energy and protein feed like distillers' grains with a low quality forage like corn stalks is so cost effective. Distillers' is often a low-cost source of both energy and protein.

In feedlots where once/day feeding isn't feasible, or in commercial feedlots, three/day feeding seems most economical.

Beef cattle need water, protein, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins. Of these nutrients, they require water in the greatest amounts daily.

Most importantly, corn fed beef tastes better. Cows don't fatten up on grass the way that they do on corn. So incorporating corn into a cow's diet results in amazingly marbled, juicy steaks. You simply can't get that marbling and flavor in beef from grass-fed cows.

"Grass fed" generally means that the animal has not been put in a feedlot and raised on a predetermined diet which often includes corn, barley and other grains in abundance.

Cattle are fed grains like corn because they are nutritious, energy-rich, and can be stored for use throughout the year. Because grass does not grow year-round in most of the United States, feeding grains like corn to cattle helps farmers and ranchers raise a consistent, year-round supply of great tasting beef.

Ruminants should not be allowed access to large amounts of grain. Unaccustomed ingestion of large amounts of grain can lead to severe illness and possibly death in ruminants. Treatment of severe cases requires removal of rumen contents by rumenotomy or rumen lavage, accompanied by IV fluid therapy.

Feeding rolled corn increases digestibility by 5 to 10 percent and equates to faster growth in cattle due to the higher energy concentration of the diet. However, higher digestibility of starch can lead to digestive upsets such as acidosis which can reduce performance slightly.

What puts weight on cows fast? ›

1. Add Grain into Their Daily Diet. While your cattle likely make their primary diet of hay and grass forage, adding some healthy grains too can increase their weight substantially over time. Grain won't from the basis of your herd's nutrition, but the calorically-dense food can provide a boost to cattle weight.

What is the best feed for fattening cattle? Barley is the best grain for lot feeding cattle, but wheat, triticale, sorghum, maize, and oats can be used. Oats is not an ideal grain on its own for cattle fattening but can be used with any of the other grains. Hay or silage could be used as the roughage source.

Grass-fed cows almost always have less total fat in their meat than corn-fed cows.

The grain finished cattle need to be checked regularly and fed daily. They live in the pasture their entire lives and also receive natural grain during the last 6 months of their life. It's up to them on if they eat the grass or grain.

Traditionally most dairy producers provide a total mixed ration (TMR) to their lactating dairy cattle twice per day (2x). However, many producers are electing to feed their cows only once per day (1x), as a means of reducing labour costs.

At the feedlot, cows gain an average of one pound per six pounds of feed they consume. Market weight is approximately 1,200 – 1,400 pounds at an age of 18 – 22 months. What a lot of people who are looking to exaggerate numbers like to do is calculate the 6 pounds of grain for the ENTIRE weight of the animal.

10.6 lbs feed per pound of edible beef.

Feeding cattle corn or other cereal grains, or their by-products does not kill the animal. Feeding these grains as 100% of the diet will give the animal an upset stomach.

Corn production requirements

Depending on the size and weight of the cattle, the amount of forage available for growing lighter calves, access to low-priced byproducts and other factors, 50 to 80 bushels are typically required to finish one steer.

Cattle can eat everything from the corn kernels to the corn stalks. The adaptability of the bovine digestive system helps farmers be more sustainable by using every part of the plant. Corn is an excellent energy source for cattle, too.

Can feeding cows corn causes e coli? ›

E coli O157 was found in 9.0% of the samples from the cattle that ate DG with 15% corn silage; the pathogen was found in 7.3% of samples from the group that ate DG with 5% corn silage. Both of these were significantly higher than the 3.6% prevalence in samples from the cattle that ate only corn and corn silage.

Corn and soybeans in particular need nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Enter: cow manure. Cow manure from dairy and beef cattle, along with manure from other livestock like pigs, is a natural byproduct that is a sustainable and cost-effective way to provide growing crops with the nutrients they need.

Microbial crude protein (MCP) —The most important protein source for cattle, supplying from 50% to 100% of the daily MP required by the animal.

The stocker needs specific amounts of energy, protein and water. Most cattle have genetic potential. If they don't make the expected gain, it's usually because they didn't get enough of one or more of these nutrients from the pasture and water.”

Boiling corn on the cob brings out its natural sweetness. But if you want an even juicier and sweeter crisp-tender bite, swap out some of the water for milk. The milk enhances the flavor and texture. It also infuses the corn on the cob with milk and butter, resulting in salty, buttery kernels.

The answer is yes! Almost everyone has had experience with cows scouring when placed on pasture or if fed a high protein forage. Of more importance, however, is the effect that high dietary protein levels can have on reproduction.

Candy, wrapper and all: Ranchers report feeding their beef steers and dairy cows a variety of bulk candy, including gummy worms, marshmallows, hard candy, sprinkles, chocolate, candy corn, and hot chocolate mix. Candy provides sugar that cows would usually get from corn, giving them more energy and making them fatter.

For finishing beef cattle prior to slaughter, most are fed a mixture of ground, shelled corn or millet. These grains are inexpensive, nutritious and add fat to the meat to make it tender.

In summary, a steer weighing 1,000 pounds on the hoof will average around 430 pounds of retail cuts (steaks, roasts, ground beef, stew beef, etc.).

Can you overfeed cattle? ›

In dairy cows, overfeeding during the dry period leads to overcondition at calving and to depression of appetite after calving. As a consequence, at calving overconditioned high-producing dairy cows inevitably go into a more severe negative energy balance (NEB) postpartum than cows that have a normal appetite.

Target delivery is 1.5% of their body weight as dry matter for the first TMR feeding, working up evenly to 2.5% of body weight in 14-21 days. New cattle should be fed twice a day so you would actually split that 1% – 2.75% over two feedings each day.

Cattle can live for many days or a few weeks without food, but will die within a few days without water. Water needs to be fresh, clean and plentiful to ensure maximum intake. Temperature of the water does not seem to affect cattle very much. Research indicates that cattle readily drink water that is 40 - 90° F.

Corn, oats, and barley are the primary grains fed to cattle. Oats, which has a lower energy value due to its high fiber content, is considered the "safest" grain in regards to potential digestive disturbances.

Calcium and phosphorus are required in the greatest amounts for cattle. Ninety-nine percent of total body calcium and 80 percent of total body phosphorus are stored in the bones. Skeletal stores of calcium and phosphorus are used to meet short-term deficiencies.

Vitamin C is the only essential vitamin not found in useful amounts in cooked animal foods. It is a powerful antioxidant that is important for the maintenance of connective tissue.

Eventually, if you give them too much corn too quickly, it ulcerates the rumen; bacteria escape from the rumen into the blood stream, and end up in the liver, creating liver abscesses.

Cattle are fed grains like corn because they are nutritious, energy-rich, and can be stored for use throughout the year. Because grass does not grow year-round in most of the United States, feeding grains like corn to cattle helps farmers and ranchers raise a consistent, year-round supply of great tasting beef.

Since corn was very cheap, the farmers raised cattle on corn also believing that the cows would gain more weight, therefore, more product or supply for them to sell. However, this resulted in the cows begin developing a disease called E. Coli, which then leads to social issues.

E coli O157 was found in 9.0% of the samples from the cattle that ate DG with 15% corn silage; the pathogen was found in 7.3% of samples from the group that ate DG with 5% corn silage. Both of these were significantly higher than the 3.6% prevalence in samples from the cattle that ate only corn and corn silage.

Can you feed cows too much corn? ›

Signs of severe overload in a cow start out as weakness, staggering, or a total reluctance to move. These cows will develop a very foul-smelling watery diarrhea, often with undigested corn in the stool. In severe cases, the cows will become recumbent and not able to get up.

When it comes to nutrition, grass-fed beef is higher in key nutrients, including antioxidants and vitamins. It also has twice as many omega-3 fatty acids as regular beef.

All beef that comes to the supermarket is grass fed. Beef cannot be fed a strictly corn (or any grain) diet and live without serious health issues that will kill them without medication to keep them alive--not a profitable plan.

Typically, the corn plant loses some leaves, and stalks begin to break down as the seasons progress. This causes a loss in digestible nutrients and protein. However, the remaining stalks, leaves, and grain are still excellent supplemental feed for over-wintering beef cows, stockers, and growing animals.

Add Grain into Their Daily Diet

While your cattle likely make their primary diet of hay and grass forage, adding some healthy grains too can increase their weight substantially over time. Grain won't from the basis of your herd's nutrition, but the calorically-dense food can provide a boost to cattle weight.

Feeding cattle on corn fundamentally changes the meat they produce, greatly increasing levels of unhealthy Omega-6 fatty acids and decreasing levels of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. This change greatly impacts the healthiness of meat for human consumption.

Grain overload is also known as acidosis or grain poisoning. It occurs when cattle, sheep or goats eat large amounts of grain, and can result in acidosis, slowing of the gut, dehydration and often death. Veterinary treatment is required for severe cases.

Corn is relatively low in protein, so providing a 30-40% protein supplement can help meet the cow's protein requirement. Additionally, there must be some forage (0.25-0.5% of body weight on a dry matter basis) included in grain-based diets to promote rumen function and prevent digestive upsets.

Thus, it is important to scout fields prior to grazing in order to determine the amount of corn present and to look for piles that could cause grain overload which can result in bloat or death in cattle.