Harvest is over for many farmers in the Midwest, and soon cows grazing crop residue will be a common sight. There is a lot of value in what the combine leaves behind, said Mary Drewnoski, Extension beef specialist with the University of Nebraska. “That can get a little expensive, but the cost of moving water still keeps grazing cost competitive.”Drewnoski said the biggest feed value is in the husks and leaves. Today's combines do not leave a lot of kernels behind, but Lundy Woolfolk said the value of the residue comes with the leaves and husks. There are additional benefits to having cows graze corn residue.
