Rain Damaged Grain May Offer Feeding Opportunity for Beef Producers

John B. Hall, Ph.D., PAS

Extension Beef Specialist, University of Idaho

August rains may have helped out range and pastures, but they left
behind damaged hay and grain fields. Barley that sprouted in the head and rain damaged wheat may be an opportunity for feeding beef cattle. This may partially offset losses that grain growers have incurred. Even grain that has low levels of mold and mycotoxin may be fed to beef cattle without any negative effects. However, beef producers and nutritionist need to know the mycotoxin content of feeds before purchase.
Performance of cattle fed damaged cereal grains
Several university studies have demonstrated that cattle perform well on rain damaged grains. In general, performance is not compromised when sprouted grains are incorporated into the diet on a dry weight basis (Tables 1, 2 & 4).

What to Do with Moldy Hay

by Glenn Shewmaker, Extension forage specialist (gshew@uidaho.edu); Oliver Neher, Extension Plant Pathologist (oneher@uidaho.edu); Mireille Chahine, Extension Dairy Specialist (mchahine@uidaho.edu); and Benton Glaze, Extension Beef Specialist (bglaze@uidaho.edu); University of Idaho

Weather conditions prior to, during first cutting, and while making hay have been very moist. Many areas have 2 or more inches of above normal precipitation. Much hay has been rained on or left lying in the field for prolonged time periods due to cool and humid conditions which reduced drying rates. The long drying periods with high humidity allowed field growth of mold on the hay. We will try to state some facts and offer some recommendations for hay producers and livestock producers. 

What is the "black dust" that covers my mower or swather?
• The black dust is most likely spores produced by fungal organisms. Spores are how the fungi reproduce and are always present but usually at lower concentration. The black dust on a mower or swather indicates that fungal growth was present prior to cutting.

Combine moisture readings likely inaccurate

The recent and prolonged rain has created problems for Idaho grain producers in eastern and central Idaho, where harvest has been delayed and grain has started to sprout in the head. Grain still standing in the field has been damaged by rain.

Each rain event contributes to additional deterioration of grain quality. While the objective is to harvest as quickly as possible, if the grain is going to be stored for later use as feed (or ethanol, etc), please DO NOT harvest at high moisture content. Already moldy grain will continue moldy growth unless the moisture is below 12%. To arrest growth, harvest below 12% and keep air flowing in the bins.

Moisture sensors in the combine are unlikely to be accurate for sprout damaged grain!