Document Type

Report

Report Number

2005-10

Publication Date

2005

Keywords

nutrient, corn residue, harvest method, baled cornstalks

Summary

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of chopping corn residue prior to baling on the nutrient composition of cornstalk bales. One dryland corn field planted with a single variety of corn was used. After harvest, one half of the field was chopped with a stalk chopper. The remaining half was not chopped. Each half of the field was then raked into windrows, baled, and wrapped with plastic netting. Ten round bales were harvested from each half of the field (chopped and not chopped). Three core samples were then collected from each bale and pooled for analysis. Pooled samples were dried and analyzed for crude protein, crude fat, ash, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen (NDIN), lignin, calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). Total digestible nutrients were then calculated from the analyses. Neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen was greater (P < 0.01) in chopped cornstalks than in cornstalks that had not been chopped. Calcium concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) and phosphorus concentrations tended to be greater (P < 0.10) in chopped cornstalks than in those that had not been chopped. The remaining nutrients were not affected by processing. Chopping cornstalks prior to baling did not negatively affect their nutritional value for beef cattle. However, because of differences in varieties, growing conditions, and agronomic practices, caution should be exercised in extrapolating these results.

Number of Pages

2

Format

application/pdf

Language

en

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

Copyright © 2005 South Dakota State University

Download

Share

COinS