Corn stalks are one of the better and cheaper winter feeds available, but once cattle finish eating the grain and husks, what remains isn't all that good. Some growers have improved both the amount and quality of corn stalk grazing by flying turnip or rye seed onto standing corn in early August. When successful, turnip or rye plants provide extra grazing days and extra protein when corn stalks become poor quality.
Let me emphasize the words “when successful.” It's not all that easy to get a good productive stand of either turnips or rye in a growing corn field.
Several factors can affect success. Moisture can be limiting in dryland corn or difficult to manage in surface irrigated fields. Even under pivots, providing water for rye or turnips without slowing corn harvest takes planning.
Another problem is the density of the corn canopy. Irrigated fields can be especially thick, acting like weeds to prevent adequate light from reaching new seedlings. Chopping corn for silage or combining high moisture grain early helps.
Herbicide carryover also can be a problem. Turnips are very sensitive, but rye also can be affected.
Lastly is wheel traffic at harvest. Turnips are damaged more than rye, but both lose stand if fields get muddy.
I do like improving corn stalks with rye or turnips, but be aware of the potential challenges and be prepared to overcome them.
Bruce Anderson
Extension Forage Specialist
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