The Rural Voice, 1978-12, Page 28C�Hme,J
1'
Stover plus for feed
Corn stover may prove to be the sleeping
giant of livestock feeds for beef cow -calf
operations. says Ralph Macartney, Ontario
Ministry of Agriculure and Food beef cattle
specialist.
More than 800,000 hectares are planted
to grain corn in Ontario each year. In most
cases. the stover or refuse remaining after
harvest is plowed back into the soil.
Research at the University of Guelph
indicates that stover can meet the
nutritional needs of overwintering beef
cows. if minerals and protein supplements
are provided.
"Corn stover makes a good feed for
mature, pregnant non -lactating beef cows.'
says Mr. Macartney. "With proper
supplementation it can also be used in
pregnant heifer and calf rations."
Mr. Macartney explains that stover.
although similar in energy to hay. is
slightly deficient in protein and phos-
phorus. Because of this. it is necessary to
supplement pregnant heifer diets with hay.
protein, vitamins. and minerals. Calves fed
corn stover require grain supplements.
"One of the simplest methods of
incorporating corn stover into the winter
feeding program is to graze the field," he
says. "This practice will help stretch
winter hay supplies."
"In many regions of the world this is a
common practice. However. because of
heavy snowfall, it is not practical in Ontario
after mid-December."
Although mechanical harvesting of corn
stover is popular in parts of the United
States, it is uncommon in Ontario. says Mr.
Macartney.
"Harvesting corn stover by large
stackers is popular in the U.S. and looks
attractive for Ontario conditions."
However, successful stacking depends
on skillful layering and pressing. If the
stacks are built improperly, they will sag,
allowing rain to enter the stack. and spoil
the corn stover.
Mr. Macartney reports success storing
corn stover in large round bales. This
process involves cutting the stover with a
flail chopper, and round baling.
Corn stover can also be ensiled for use as
livestock feed. However, because of its low
moisture content, and low concentration of
carbohydrates, more packing is required
than with corn silage.
December and January when they average
10 percent lower than during peak months.
Dairy producers can prevent this slump
in conception rates with good management
and nutritious rations. says Blair Murray,
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
dairy cattle specialist.
"Poor reproductive performance is
related to winter management," says Mr.
Murray. "Herds housed and managed in
the same manner all year show no
significant seasonal variation in conception
rates."
To ensure proper nutrition, producers
should feed high quality forages. and grain
mixes with the proper balance of energy
and protein.
"Feeding excess to cows that are dry or
in late lactation will make them overfat.
resulting in poor conception rates and
increased health problems after calving,"
he says.
Producers should also provide calcium,
phosphorus and sufficient quantities of
trace minerals. These minerals, which vary
depending on forages used, should be
included in the grain mix or feed bunk.
"Accurate heat detection is essential for
good conception rates. This requires daily
observation and accurate record-keeping.
"For good heat detection and general
health. all cows should be allowed to
exercise daily outside, or in an open area
indoors." he says.
Timothy, alfalfa
mix gives high yields
By seeding a mixt ure of timothy and
alfalfa, a farmer in eastern Canada can not
only get higher yields, than he would if the
crops were grown separately, but also
improve the quality of the forage.
"Mixing timothy and alfalfa has several
advantages," says Lucius Belzile, a
specialist in crop management at Agri-
culture Canada's La Pocatiere Experiment-
al Farm in eastern Quebec. "The two crops
are complementary and can benefit one
another. Timothy has qualities that offset
certian faults of alfalfa, and vice -versa."
Alfalfa is a legume and thanks to the
nodules on its roots it fixes atmospheric
nitrogen in the soil. This action greatly
benefits grasses such as timothy, because
they have a large requirement for this
nutrient.
In addition, because alfalfa is very rich in
protein and timothy is valuable mainly ,as
an energy feed, when the two crops are
mixed they provide . a forage of higher
quality than if they are sown and harvested
separately.
When harvested alone alfalfa is wet and
is hard to dry. However, when it is mixed
Conception rates lower
The conception rates of dairy cows bred
by artificial insemination are lower in the
winter than in the summer, according to a
survey by the University of Guelph.
It concluded that poor conception rates
begin in November, and remain low until
late spring. Conception rates are lowest in
PG. 28 THE RURAL VOICE/DECEMBER 1978
For all your Christmas Gifts
8 Decorations
WE HAVE THEM ALL
• Small Appliances
• Electrohome stereos
• Speed Queen Washers &
Dryers
• Curling Irons
• Blow Dryers
• Shavers
• Disites
• Radio's
• Planters
• Decorative Urns
• Wall Plaques
• Toys
• Christmas Lights
Decorations
home is where its at
►� 411S111811
887-6525 Open Friday to 9
Brussels
w
st
Fi
in
at
m
at
ni
at
al
tii
is
tN
ra
tit
ac
ca
sr
va
ar
m
s
t
stt
ta]
gu
Pe
Alm
IONE