baled corn stalks

[Meg Z]

They've harvested the corn around here. As with most places this year, lots of fields went to corn that were normally in something else. But this year, not only did they get the crop, almost all fields I drive by have baled the corn stalks. I'm guessing it's due to the lack of hay, and I assume the stalks will go to cattle. Any other uses I'm overlooking? Just curious, I guess.

Makes me really glad I laid in my hay when they cut this year. My feedroom is full to the top with enough hay to last well into next summer...just in case!

Meg

[WANR]

I use it for bedding the animals. I do not have any wheat or oats to bale for straw.

[fordson major]

corn stalks used to be harvested around us to be used at the mushroom farm, they no longer take them due to mold issues. neighbour tried it for bedding but stopped after only a year, was too hard on his machines and the local custom guy (us) would not touch it with our machinery!

[Metagirrl]

I've read that around here, they'll feed them to the cattle to keep them content... not much in the way of nutritional value, but the cows don't know that, and when the hay is thin, it fills in the gaps and keeps 'em quiet.

[jersey girl]

They are baled around here yearly. Lots of folks use them as bedding. We call it "bed and breakfast" It is better bedding in the mud and muck of a wet season because it doesn't sink and soak in as easily as straw, important in a soggy spring. They do eat out of it what they want.
We are still baleing hay to finish what we need for winter. Hay is expensive here cause of the drought and then flooding.
Joanie

[Meg Z]

I didn't think about bedding. I wonder if my sheep would like it.

It is strange seeing round bales in the cornfields. I've never seen it done here before. Or anywhere I've lived, for that matter. But, why not? If it's useful, it should be saved. Although around here it's usually disked back in, which is another use.

Food for thought for me...thanks.

Meg