Cows are carnivorous animals and therefore require a diet that is rich in protein and energy in order to maintain their health and productivity. For this reason corn is often used as a supplement in cattle feed. However the amount of corn that should be fed to a cow depends on several factors including the age and health of the cow the type of corn being fed and the other ingredients in the cow’s diet.
Corn is a high-energy feedstuff and is an excellent source of carbohydrates and proteins. It is also a good source of vitamins and minerals including vitamin A thiamin riboflavin niacin and vitamin B6. However corn is also a high-starch feedstuff which can cause digestive problems in cows if it is fed in excess. For this reason it is important to know how much corn to feed a cow.
The amount of corn that should be fed to a cow depends on the age and health of the cow the type of corn being fed and the other ingredients in the cow’s diet. For example a healthy adult cow that is being fed a diet of hay and pasture will require less corn than a young calf or a sick cow. Furthermore the type of corn being fed will also affect the amount that should be given. For instance whole-kernel corn is more digestible than cracked corn.
The other ingredients in the cow’s diet will also affect how much corn should be given. For example if the diet includes a lot of roughage such as hay or straw then the cow will need less corn. On the other hand if the diet is mostly grain then the cow will need more corn.
In general a healthy adult cow that is being fed a diet of hay and pasture will require about 1 to 2 pounds of corn per day. A young calf or a sick cow will require more while a cow that is being fed a diet that is high in roughage will require less.
How many bushels of corn should be fed to a dairy cow per day?
30 bushels
How much corn should be fed to a beef cow per day?
15 bushels
How many ears of corn should be fed to a show cow per day?
5-10 ears
How much corn should be fed to a sick cow per day?
depends on the severity of the sickness but generally less than healthy cows
How much corn should be fed to a calf per day?
4-5 quarts
How much corn should be fed to a cow during pregnancy?
15-20% more than what they would normally eat
How much corn should be fed to a cow who is lactating?
30% more than what they would normally eat
How much corn should be fed to a cow that is being used for breeding purposes?
more corn than usual to increase body weight and promote fertility
How much supplemental corn should be fed to a cow during winter?
about 1% of their body weight
What is the maximum amount of corn that should be fed to a cow per day?
35% of their daily dry matter intake
What are the consequences of feeding a cow too much corn?
Acidosis which can lead to rumenism laminitis and death.
What are the consequences of feeding a cow too little corn?
Poor milk production weight loss and death.
How can you tell if a cow is being fed the right amount of corn?
They should have a healthy body condition good milk production and normal manure.
How can you tell if a cow is being fed too much corn?
They will have a pot-bellied appearance diarrhea and excessive urination.
How can you tell if a cow is being fed too little corn?
They will have a thin body condition little milk production and dry manure.
