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Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: I have access to 700 acres of tornado damaged corn. The owners tried to combine and were having too much trouble and damage to machines. They have settled with the insurance and it is mine to do with what I want. There is probably between 80-100 bushels an acre on the cob. My question is what is it worth to rent this ground and would somebody be interested in it? I have been told the cattle would founder on that much corn. What about strip grazing it? I figure there is enough there for at least a 1000 stockers for at least 100 days. The ground is located in very NW Missouri.
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A: This amount of ear drop is a challenge to manage. Experience corn stalk grazers will founder. A couple of suggestions to consider 1. cross fence and allow cattle access to fewer acres, 2. feed cull cows some grain, then graze with cull cows. 3. feeds weaned calves that are destined for the feedlot some grain then graze the stalks with them. Then you might be able to follow with pregnant cows.
Consider putting sodium bicarbonate in the water, 2.5 lb per 100 gallons, to help buffer the rumen.
What are the stalks worth? Depending on the area in Nebraska, $9 to $14 per acre for "typical" stalks. These have a lot more down corn, but also a lot more challenges, so I don't know what they are worth.
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Dr. Rick Rasby, Professor of Animal Science
Animal Science, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
December 21st, 2007
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