Feeding Corn to Beef Cattle (2024)

Title

(AS1238, Revised Nov. 2023)

File

Publication File:

Feeding Corn to Beef Cattle

Summary

Corn commonly is used as a feed grain in beef cattle diets throughout the U.S. However, until recently in many parts of North Dakota and other northern-tier states, feeding corn was less common. With the availability and improvement of shorter-season corn varieties, corn plantings in North Dakota increased nearly 40 percent from 2008 to 2017. In 2022, 427 million bushels of corn were produced in North Dakota. This has resulted in more interest in using corn as a feedstuff for beef cattle.

Lead Author

Lead Author:

Karl Hoppe, Extension Livestock Systems Specialist

Other Authors

Zac Carlson, Extension Beef Specialist

Colin Tobin, Animal Scientist, Carrington Research Extension Center

Availability

Availability:

Web only

Publication Sections

Table of Contents

Feeding Value of Corn

Use of Corn in Rations for Beef Cattle

Processing Corn

Effect of Corn Bushel Weight on Cattle Performance

High-moisture Corn

Immature and Frost-damaged Corn

Summary

Feeding Value of Corn

Compared with other feed grains, corn is lower in protein and slightly higher in energy(Table 1). Corn contains approximately 72% starch on a dry-matter basis. Other important fractions in the corn kernel include protein, fiber and minerals.

Table 1. Nutrient content of various feed grains.
BarleyCornWheatOatsSorghumField Peas
Dry Matter Basis
Energy
TDN, %84.187.686.883.086.080.0
NEm (Mcal/kg)2.062.172.152.032.121.94
NEg (Mcal/kg)1.401.491.471.371.451.30
Protein
Crude Protein (%)12.88.813.812.611.623.9
Undegradable protein (% of CP)50.865.335.656.571.115.5
Fiber
Neutral detergent fiber (%)18.39.712.426.77.213.7
Acid Detergent fiber (%)7.13.64.213.34.69.2

Source: National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2016

TDN = Total Digestible nutrients

NEm = Net energy for maintenance

NEg = Neg energy for gain

The protein in corn is approximately 65% escape or bypass protein. Escape protein is protein that is not fermented or degraded by the ruminal microorganisms, but is digested and absorbed by the animal in the small intestine. The remaining 35% of the protein in corn is rumen-degradable protein. Ruminal microorganisms require rumen-degradable protein for use in growth and protein synthesis.

Most research with corn indicates a substantial benefit to providing rumen-degradable protein in diets containing corn.

Backgrounding or finishing diets containing high levels of corn require supplemental rumen- degradable protein in the form of nonprotein nitrogen (urea or biuret); natural protein sources such as sunflower meal, canola meal or soybean meal; or a combination of nonprotein nitrogen and natural protein.

Like all cereal grains, corn is low in calcium and relatively high in phosphorus (Table 2). Diets containing high levels of corn should include a supplemental calcium source, such as limestone, to prevent urinary calculi. The recommended calcium-to- phosphorus ratio in backgrounding and feedlot diets is a minimum of 2-to-1 (two parts calcium to one part phosphorus).

Table 2. Mineral content of major cereal grains.
BarleyCornWheatOatsSorghumPeas
Calcium, %0.080.030.080.100.060.13
Phosphorus, %0.380.290.360.380.340.42
Potassium, %0.530.370.430.500.391.07
Magnesium, %0.130.110.130.140.150.18
Sodium, %0.020.030.020.020.120.03
Copper, ppm6.122.635.446.184.958.80
Iron, ppm99.450.060.28105.0342.94112.70
Manganese, ppm21.97.5842.9650.2920.1121.47
Selenium, ppm1.00.61----0.6500
Molybdenum, ppm1.370.170.651.700.760.81
Source: Nation Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2016

Table 3lists the nutrient content of corn harvested, stored or processed by different methods. In general, different harvest, storage and processing conditions do not result in large differences in nutrient content. The advantages and disadvantages of the different harvest, storage and processing methods are discussed in detail later in this publication.

Table 3. Nutrient content of corn using different harvest, storage or processing methods.
Corn TypeDry MatterTDN, %NEm, Mcal/lbNEg, Mcal/lbCP, %Escape Protein, % of CP
Dry rolled corn87880.990.688.865
High-moisture corn70901.020.718.855
Stream-flaked corn81951.080.768.570
Ear corn83850.950.648.364
Earlage63840.950.648.149
Snaplage59820.910.618.145
Source: Nation Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 2016

Use of Corn in Rations for Beef Cattle

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.

Consequently, corn grain should be used in forage-based diets at relatively low levels (less than 0.4% of body weight). When corn is used as a forage supplement, ensuring adequate rumen-degradable protein is available is important to prevent any depressions in forage digestibility.

Corn can serve as the sole grain source in backgrounding and finishing diets. Depending on desired cattle performance, the level of corn can be varied to supply additional energy in the diet of growing and finishing cattle. However, supplemental protein is needed in most corn-based backgrounding and finishing diets because of corn’s low crude protein content.

Processing Corn

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

As the proportion of corn in the diet and the cost of corn increase, the benefits of processing also increase because corn is supplying a greater portion of the energy. When corn is fed whole, the animal must process the corn by mastication (chewing). Rolling or cracking corn for use in a mixed ration may facilitate better mixing.

Figure 1shows the relative rates of fermentation for various corn processing methods. Fine grinding corn should be avoided in beef cattle diets because fine-ground corn ferments quickly in the rumen. When feeding high levels of finely ground corn, digestive disturbances, acidosis and founder can occur.

Figure 1. Effect of corn processing on relative rates of ruminal starch digestion.
RateProcessing Method

Fast

High-moisture corn (ground and stored in a bunker)

Steam-flaked corn
High moisture corn (stored whole)

Dry rolled corn

Slow

Dry whole corn
Adapted from Stock and Britton (1993)

Effect of Corn Bushel Weight on Cattle Performance

Most research with light test weight corn indicates that it has similar feeding value to higher test weight grain. Data from the University of Nebraska indicate light test weight corn (46 to 48 pounds per bushel) has similar feeding value as normal test weight corn (55 to 56 pounds per bushel). Research conducted at South Dakota State University indicates that the net energy value of low test weight corn may be slightly higher than normal test weight corn.

High-moisture Corn

Corn can be harvested wet and stored as high-moisture corn. For corn to be used in this manner, it should be harvested at 22% to 32% moisture for optimum storage. High-moisture corn is similar in energy and protein content to dry corn and offers several harvest advantages:

  • Yields typically are increased due to less ear drop in the field.
  • High-moisture corn allows for an earlier corn harvest, avoiding difficulties associated with adverse weather.
  • No drying costs are encountered.

Producers also should realize that high-moisture corn has some disadvantages. compared with dry corn:

  • Marketing alternatives are limited. High-moisture corn that is ground or rolled will be marketable only through ruminant livestock.
  • High-moisture corn may require additional storage and processing equipment.
  • Improperly ensiled high-moisture corn will result in excessive spoilage and storage losses.

High-moisture corn must be stored in an airtight silo (bunker, silage bags or oxygen-limiting structure). For optimum storage and utilization, it should be processed (ground or rolled) prior to storage. Grinding or rolling and subsequent packing of the corn facilitates oxygen exclusion in the silo.

For more information on harvesting and storing high-moisture corn, see NDSU Extension publication AS1404, “Harvesting, Storing and Feeding High-moisture Corn.”

Immature and Frost-damaged Corn

In some cases, due to late planting or early frost, corn may need to be harvested before it is mature.

The nutrient content of immature corn can be considerably different than mature corn. Table 4 compares the nutrient content of corn at various stages of maturity. In addition, harvesting may be difficult. Immature corn can be harvested as ear or snapped corn after it is dry, or it may be harvested wet and stored in a silo structure as earlage.

Frost-damaged corn is generally lower in test weight than normal corn. However, feeding value is generally not markedly reduced. Frost-damaged corn should be analyzed for nutrient content prior to feeding.

Table 4. Nutrient content of corn harvested at various stages of maturity.

NutrientEarly
Milk
Early DoughMid
Dent
Mature
Adapted from Feeding High Moisture Corn, G74-100, University of Nebraska.
Crude protein, %16.612.510.710.9
Starch, %47.455.058.763.7
Gross energy, Kcal/lb2,0732,0642,0862,081
Bushel weight, lb35475558

Summary

Corn is a useful feed ingredient. It is high in energy but relatively low in protein, compared with other feed grains. For optimum dietary utilization, corn should be processed by rolling, cracking or coarsely grinding prior to feeding. The decision to process corn should be based on efficiencies gained from processing, compared with the cost of processing.

Feeding Corn to Beef Cattle (2024)

FAQs

How much corn to feed beef cattle? ›

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.

Can you feed cows only corn? ›

Corn can serve as the sole grain source in backgrounding and finishing diets. Depending on desired cattle performance, the level of corn can be varied to supply additional energy in the diet of growing and finishing cattle.

What are the benefits of feeding corn to cattle? ›

Cattle have been eating corn for centuries. Not only does corn provide cattle with a good balance of proteins and carbohydrates, but its high levels of essential fatty acids make it a great choice for cattle to maintain their health.

What happens when cattle eat too much corn? ›

Putting cows out on corn fields with a lot of corn is a recipe for acidosis (grain overload), abortion, and possibly death, if their rumen bacteria are not properly prepared. Cattle that become acidotic for even a short time can have reduced performance long term due to damage to the rumen wall.

How much grain should I feed my 600 lb calf? ›

Grainfed from 2 to 2.5% of body weight. o600 lbs / 100 = 6 x 1lb= 6lbs.

How much grain to feed a 1000 lb steer? ›

A 1000 pound steer could be fed 20-25 lbs. of corn per day plus 2-3 lbs. hay for 90 days as a finish- ing ration. A word of caution about feeding high levels of grain, anything over 3-5 lbs./per day.

What are the disadvantages of feeding corn to cows? ›

The problem with feeding corn directly by bringing it out of the field and feeding it to the cattle is that the corn can have molds and toxins present. And these molds and toxins are going to harm the cattle.

What is the best feed mix for beef cattle? ›

Most experts recommend mixing alfalfa with grass hay, rather than relying exclusively on alfalfa hay. Alfalfa hay is often recommended for dairy cattle but may not be a good fit for beef cattle since it can lead to bloating. Legume hay is another nutritious option for cattle, since it's high in protein.

What to feed a steer for slaughter? ›

  • L-906. ...
  • age. ...
  • Cattle on pasture may be started on feed by two methods. ...
  • Cattle weighing 400 to 600 pounds may be finished to 1,000 pounds under conditions of excellent green grazing and additional grain and protein. ...
  • Feed corn, sorghum grain, barley or any percent combination of these. ...
  • Any protein supplement may be fed.

Is cracked corn better than whole corn for cows? ›

Nutritionally, starch is the most important component of corn. Mechanical processing of corn is often used to increase the extent of starch digestion in the rumen. Corn can be fed whole with excellent results, but cracking or rolling it will increase digestibility by 5-10%.

Can cows bloat on corn? ›

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.

How much corn to make a pound of beef? ›

During this fattening period the animal will consume an average of 21 lbs of feed (dry matter) per day and experience a daily gain in weight of about 3.0 lbs in an efficient US feedlot. These numbers indicate that it takes 6.0 lbs of corn (dry matter) to create a lb of beef on the hoof (21 x 0.85 / 3.0).

Is corn good to fatten cattle? ›

In addition to improving growth efficiency, corn grain is fed to cattle in the finishing phase because it increases carcass quality grades by increasing fat deposition (especially intramuscular or “taste” fat), which results in a more desirable product for consumers.

Why can't you eat cattle corn? ›

Cow corn has high starch and low sugar content, which means it's not sweet and juicy like the corn you buy to eat from your grocery store or farmers market. Farmers allow cow corn to dry on the stalks in the field before harvesting since it's not intended to eat fresh.

Do cows get E coli from eating corn? ›

Fecal samples were collected and analyzed weekly for 12 weeks. 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.

How many cows can an acre of corn feed? ›

If one acre would feed a 1200lb cow for 44 days then it would feed a 600lb calf for 88 days. Higher grain yields provide more AUM and lower yields less. One acre of irrigated corn stalks or grain sorghum stubble will provide approximately 1.5 to 2 AUM of grazing.

How many pounds of feed does a beef cow eat per day? ›

Using an example of 1200 pound pregnant spring-calving cows, lets assume that the grass hay quality is good and tested 8% crude protein. Cows will voluntarily consume 2.0% of body weight or 24 pounds per day. The 24 pounds is based on 100% dry matter.

How much should a 700 pound steer eat? ›

Vitamins and Minerals
Steer weightDaily Dry Matter Intake, lb.Daily Feed Delivered, lb.
60015–1816.7–20.0
70017.5–2119.4–23.3
80020–2422.2–26.7
90022.5–2725–30
7 more rows
Aug 21, 2023

Is corn or grass better for cows? ›

Corn helps cattle gain weight faster, which is desirable for producers – not the cattle or the consumer. The problem is the nutritional benefits of grass-fed beef decline as soon as the cow enters a feedlot.

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