fewer tons of corn silage and did not have enough corn silage to fill all the silos. As part of a U.S. Department of Energy project, ISU has 40 acres of switchgrass (SG). During 2012 we harvested approximately 600 big round bales from this 40 acres. During 2013 we will harvest approximately 300 bales. We are grinding this switchgrass that is very low in acceptability (palatability) and very low in nutrient quality for use in our beef cow diets. Our TMR’s (total mixed rations) will include ground switchgrass, corn silage and CDS. This fall the ratio of SG:CDS:CS is 1.67:1.47:1.0, on a dry matter basis. On a wet weight basis, a typical cow in the middle one-third of gestation receives 11.1 pounds of SG, 20.3 pounds of CDS, 10.0 pounds of CS and 0.4 pounds calcium carbonate in addition to 200 mg of Rumensin and 100 mg of Thiamine per day. This diet provides about 12% crude protein, which is higher than the minimum daily requirement of 9.5% to 10.0% recommended by the NRC. Currently, CDS is selling for $25:ton FOB, which is 1.25¢:16 weight basis. We value the SG equivalent to wheat straw at 4.0¢:lb. and our corn silage cost is based on 90 bu.:acre shelled corn at $8.00:bu. and 16 tons SC:ac (down from our usual yield of 24 tons:ac.) Therefore, the corn silage cost is equivalent to 2.25¢:lb. wet weight basis. Accordingly, this diet costs $1:day:cow. The hidden costs are trucking the CDS and grinding the SG. On a dry matter basis, this diet contains 35% CDS. Condensed Distillers Solubles (CDS) is the liquid syrup added to distillers grains to make distillers grains with solubles. Condensed Distillers Solubles is the most economical feed product produced by an ethanol plant and is a good buy anytime of the year. By using ground switchgrass and CDS, the ISU Farm will have enough corn silage to last until the 2013 corn silage harvest. Producers can use other innovative roughage sources such as wheat/oat straw, corn stalks, soybean stubble, low quality CRP hay, etc. to replace high quality hay and/or corn silage. Yes, the drought of 2012 is one for the record books. But, I was around for the drought of 1953 and 1956, and the one in the 1960s, the one in the 1970s and the drought of 1988. I don’t remember any of them very much. We’ll survive the drought of 2012 and the beef industry will prosper – if we keep the cup halffull. Diets for Dry Pregnant Mature Cows Feedstuff
As Fed #
DM #
Switchgrass
11.12 40¢
10
CDS
20.31 x 1.25¢
8.83
Corn silage
10 x 2.25¢
6
Limestone
0.39 x 10.0¢
0.39
41.82
25.22
Switchgrass:Cornsilage 1.67:1 Switchgrass = 40% of diet on a DM basis
180 November/December 2012 • theshowcircuit.com