Feeding Elk with Whole Corn
This page analyzes the use of whole corn as a feed source for elk. At 9% crude protein and 88% TDN, whole corn is meets energy but not protein as a sole feed for elk at maintenance level (requires 12% CP and 60% TDN). Below you will find daily feeding rates, costs across herd sizes, and a life-stage breakdown showing how requirements change through the production cycle.
Whole Corn for Elk by Life Stage
Feed requirements change significantly across life stages. The table below shows the daily as-fed quantity of whole corn needed for each elk life stage, along with whether the feed meets the adjusted protein and TDN requirements for that stage. Life stages with higher demands (lactation, growth) may require supplementation even if whole corn is adequate at maintenance.
| Life Stage | Daily DMI | As-Fed/Day | Protein Need | Protein OK? | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cow | 20.0 lbs | 22.7 lbs | 12% | No | $75.00 |
| Lactating Cow | 26.0 lbs | 29.6 lbs | 15.6% | No | $97.50 |
| Growing Calf | 26.0 lbs | 29.6 lbs | 18% | No | $97.50 |
| Bull (Velvet Antler) | 24.0 lbs | 27.3 lbs | 15.6% | No | $90.00 |
Herd Feed Budget: Elk on Whole Corn
For operations feeding whole corn to multiple elk animals, the table below projects total feed requirements and costs. These estimates use the maintenance-level feeding rate of 22.7 lbs as-fed per head per day at $220/ton.
| Head Count | Daily As-Fed Total | Monthly Tons | Annual Tons | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22.7 lbs | 0.30 tons | 3.65 tons | $75.00 | $912.50 |
| 5 | 113.7 lbs | 1.50 tons | 18.25 tons | $375.00 | $4,562.50 |
| 10 | 227.3 lbs | 3.00 tons | 36.50 tons | $750.00 | $9,125.00 |
| 25 | 568.3 lbs | 7.50 tons | 91.25 tons | $1,875.00 | $22,812.50 |
| 50 | 1,136.5 lbs | 15.00 tons | 182.50 tons | $3,750.00 | $45,625.00 |
| 100 | 2,273.0 lbs | 30.00 tons | 365.00 tons | $7,500.00 | $91,250.00 |
Feeding Rates by Body Weight
The daily amount of whole corn varies with the individual animal's body weight. The table below shows as-fed feeding rates and monthly costs across a range of weights for elk.
| Body Weight | Daily DMI | As-Fed/Day | Monthly Feed | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 560 lbs | 14.0 lbs | 15.9 lbs | 420 lbs | $52.50 |
| 680 lbs | 17.0 lbs | 19.3 lbs | 510 lbs | $63.75 |
| 800 lbs | 20.0 lbs | 22.7 lbs | 600 lbs | $75.00 |
| 920 lbs | 23.0 lbs | 26.1 lbs | 690 lbs | $86.25 |
| 1,040 lbs | 26.0 lbs | 29.6 lbs | 780 lbs | $97.50 |
Nutritional Analysis: Whole Corn for Elk
Whole Corn provides 9% crude protein on a dry matter basis, while elk at maintenance require a minimum of 12% crude protein. This means whole corn falls short of the minimum protein requirement by 3 percentage points. A protein supplement such as soybean meal, cottonseed meal, or a commercial protein block would be needed to balance the ration.
For energy, whole corn provides 88% TDN compared to the elk requirement of 60% TDN. The energy content is adequate for maintenance and provides 28 percentage points of margin. Higher-demand life stages such as lactation or rapid growth may require energy supplementation with grain or fat even though the maintenance requirement is met.
The dry matter content of whole corn is 88%, meaning that for every 100 lbs of as-fed feed, the animal receives 88 lbs of actual dry matter nutrition and 12 lbs of water. At $220 per ton as-fed, the effective cost per ton of dry matter is $250. When comparing feeds, always use the dry matter cost rather than the as-fed cost to make fair comparisons between feeds with different moisture levels.
For a comprehensive feeding program, consider combining whole corn with complementary feeds that address any nutritional gaps. Browse the complete feed comparison to identify the most cost-effective supplements, or use the calculator to model different feed combinations. Always provide free-choice mineral supplementation and clean water regardless of the forage and grain program.
More Feeding Combinations
Explore other feed options for elk or see how whole corn works for other species.
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