Effects of feeding high-moisture corn stover to gestating and lactating beef cows as an alternative to hay and corn silage on performance and reproduction

The objectives of this study were to evaluate ensiled high-moisture corn stover as an alternative forage for beef cows. In Exp. 1, multiparous, gestating Simmental and Angus × Simmental cows (n = 96) were limit fed 1 of 3 treatments: (1) 60% high-moisture corn stover, 25% ground cornstalks, and 15% corn gluten feed (HMCS); (2) 60% corn silage, 25% ground cornstalks, and 15% corn gluten feed (SIL); or (3) 60% hay, 25% ground cornstalks, and 15% corn gluten feed (HY) from 108 ± 14 to 38 ± 14 d prepartum. In Exp. 2, lactating Simmental and Simmental × Angus cows (n = 79) were limit fed 1 of 2 treatments at calving: (1) 75% high-moisture corn stover and 25% dried distillers grains (HMCS2) or (2) 70% corn silage and 30% dried distillers grains (SIL2). Diets were limit fed to achieve NASEM (2016) requirements for maintenance and lactation. In Exp. 1, BW gain was greater (P < 0.01) for cows fed SIL than cows fed HY or HMCS. In Exp. 2, BW gain was greater (P < 0.01) for cows fed SIL2 than cows fed HMCS2; however, no differences (P ≥ 0.17) were detected in milk production, subsequent AI conception, or overall pregnancy rates. The similar performance of gestating cows fed hay or high-moisture corn stover indicates high-moisture corn stover is a viable hay replacement. When fed to lactating cows, high-moisture corn stover could be fed as a replacement to corn silage with no effect on milk or reproduction. Overall, feeding high-moisture corn stover is a cost-saving strategy in both stages of production.