2. However if you have calves on the cows, or are trying to keep gain on a finishing animal (we expect our cows to take the calves through to march, and are still selling finished animals)...some additional hay goes a long way when there's snow. They are easy to handle and require little equipment, facility, ... libitum hay diets fed in herds with ≥ 100 cows During the cold winter months when pastures contain scant forage, hay is the typical diet for cattle, horses, sheep and goats. Without question, feed costs across the entire beef industry have increased substantially over the past 18 months. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Just don’t turn a whole herd loose on the whole area. For roughage they're getting grass! Keep hay or adequate pasture available for cows at all times. Recent analyses show that hay costs between $0.02 and $0.07 per pound of dry matter; usually more than double the cost for the same amount of nutrients from pasture. Cattle from multiple pastures can be managed to be totally confined, confined for a few hours, or free to enter and exit the structure as they please. Nebraska University published an article recently where they valued the minerals in a ton of alfalfa hay at $34.50 a ton. Feeding whole corn also helps cattle eat consistently and not go off feed. However, we always had hay and feed on hand for insurance if things did not go as planned. Shockey JD, Gunter SA: Cool-season annual pasture with legumes to supplement for wintering beef cows fed warm-season grass hay. You can easily double your hay usage, if your method of feeding is to place bales out in the pasture or lot without any type of feeder. “Producers always assume they have to bale and feed hay.”. It's the end of December, & no hay. Strip graze,” he said. Tall, high-quality pastures that have been prevented from going to seed by your pasture management during the summer grazing season will require the least supplementation, will entice your cattle to graze longer, and will stand up best to the ravages of wind, rain and snow. Straw can be used extensively as winter feed if energy, protein, mineral and vitamin requirements are met. J Anim Sci. 1999; 77 (Suppl 1):9. Depending on current commodity prices and availability, there is opportunity to winter cows using alternative energy sources to hay. grass hay,or 1 pound of corn will replace 1.7 pounds of grass hay in a beef cow ration. Such strategies may be of particular relevance during periods J Anim Sci. “The cows are getting top-quality feed to help them keep body condition,” Faulkner says. Second, in the process of searching out all of the grain, they can trample in the husks and leaves, which is more of a problem in wet years.". For next year. Beef nutritionist Eric Bailey, University of Missouri Extension, answered farmers’ questions Dec. 2 at the Missouri Livestock Symposium in Kirksville. “It takes four or five days for the animals to get used to the new diet and to not having food available all through the day. grass hay,or 1 pound of corn will replace 1.7 pounds of grass hay in a beef cow ration. The mindset that beef cows should be fed hay in the winter eats up farm profits. The grain route. The exact amount depends on cow size, milk production levels and the analysis of the cornstalks (or soybean stubble, wheat straw, poor quality hay). "With more acres going toward corn and soybean production, acres in hay production are lower than normal," said Dan Shike, University of Illinois beef cattle nutritionist and professor in the Department of Animal Sciences. • Grass hay is usually lower in energy and protein than mixed legume grass hay. Number 8860726. “The value of pasture is about $53 per acre,” Loerch said. This is before they go onto fescue. Besides feeding very little hay to his cows, Gibson also feeds only a small amount of cubed protein supplement -- about 100 pounds over 60 days in the late fall while they are grazing dormant native grass. Hay is the most commonly used winter feed for beef cattle, but it’s also the most expensive. Roll out those bales and allow cows to selectively eat the hay. Gibson still buys and keeps a little hay for his cows, but most winters he feeds none. In this situation the hay becomes expensive bedding for the cows. Dairymen also depend on winter annuals for forage during the early fall and late spring, as well as the winter season. Up-to-date agriculture news in your inbox! “Right now we’re burning up, and some are feeding hay now. Grazing corn stalks is enough. Portable water tanks will work, but if you plan to graze into the winter, then you will want to consider a heating source for the water. They were also fed corn during days of snow cover, approximately 14 days each winter. "If you offer a high-quality hay, they will actually eat more than if they are fed a lower-quality hay or a crop residue such as cornstalks, soybean stubble or wheat straw.". This study compared cow wintering performance, hay consumption necessary to maintain cow body condition, labor inputs, wintering cost, and hay waste, when hay was either rolled out on the ground, shredded with a bale processor on the ground, or fed in a tapered-cone round bale feeder. Distillers grains and corn gluten feed are both high in protein and phosphorous. 22, or by e-mail at amyers@farmanddairy.com.). "With hay in short supply and feed costs at record highs, producers need to have a plan in place," he said. Cold weather and lactation rations always require additional grain or pellets. Year-round Grazing Using Standing Corn for Winter Feed Researchers prove raising cattle with little to no hay can be done in the West. “If corn is used to provide most of the energy, then the intake has to be restricted so the cows don’t get fat,” Loerch pointed out. That 35 acre figure adds up to … Not only will hay be in high demand in the Midwest and Illinois, but extreme drought in the Southwest will also increase the national demand for hay.". Processing hay for range cows with a bale processor increased the cost of feeding without enhancing animal performance. First, the cows can actually eat too much grain. The calves’ weight at birth and during the summer, as well as conception rates, were also very similar.”. Feeding hay to cattle is expensive. J Anim Sci. Cow growth, body condition, hay intake, fat depth, and waste data were collected for three years. Better-quality forage should be offered during the winter to keep cows in condition. Older cattle eat more per unit body weight than younger cattle. Landblom, * [email protected] G.P. “Corn grain is the least expensive harvested source of digestible energy per unit available to producers in Ohio,” Loerch explained. However, there are significant differences in the variety, quality and availability of hay, which can make feeding your livestock a time-consuming chore. With so many factors, stocking rates can vary greatly. But, if snow covers the grass deeply or weather gets quite cold, they may need hay. Auburn University research indicates at least a $28-per-cow savings in wintering cost from stockpiling and grazing fescue. Trials used round-baled grass hay, whole corn and stockpiled pasture, Loerch said. Grazing Rule #6: Use your pasture rotation during the growing season to prepare perfect pastures for winter grazing. Under cold conditions a minimum of ¾ to 1 pound of hay per 100 pounds of body weight is suggested along with grain being fed. wintering beef cows, and detailed descriptions of each point follow. What will the farm of the future require? (You can contact Andrea Myers at 1-800-837-3419, ext. The University of Nebraska has conducted several studies to evaluate limit feeding cows. By Christoph Wand - Beef Cattle, Sheep and Goat Nutritionist/OMAFRA. “If you have other uses for your pasture that will generate more money than that, then stockpiling forage is not the best option. Thus you will also double your winter feed costs, which at current prices can easily add $300 per cow. Finding hay at that price is rare in Ohio, according to Loerch, who also noted that most farmers can’t even produce hay that inexpensively. Petry, ¶ * Dickinson Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Dickinson 58601; Dickinson Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University Dickinson 58601 †Animal and Range … They feed a lot of cover crops that are put up as hay. “With corn feeding, the cows come up every time they’re fed, the know you’re responsible for their feed,” Loerch said. Google Scholar 5. For example, assume avail-able forage for grazing or feeding includes some tame pasture (such as coastal bermudagrass), some native range, and some hay. But there is good news: Alternative feeding methods can reduce cost without affecting productivity, and August is the time to start thinking about them. When it comes to supplementing cornstalks, it's important to consider protein and phosphorous levels. Providing ad libitum access to cornstalk bales and offering a co-product supplement is also a good option. If it's not possible to access cornstalks to graze, producers can also utilized baled cornstalks. It’s still one of the best ways to reduce winter feed costs. We also reduced our hay and range cube feedings during the trial. J Anim Sci. Otherwise, it’s the cheapest winter feeding method available.”. This figure included N,P and K, only without putting a value on minor and trace minerals or organic matter. Alternative feeding methods can reduce cost without affecting productivity, and August is … KIRKSVILLE, Mo. Effect of Hay Feeding Methods on Cow Performance, Hay Waste, and Wintering Cost D.G. The cubes cost $12 to $15 per cow. Looking for a more cost-effective way to feed your cattle this winter? Prolonged drought last summer upset haymaking plans. Producers can benefit from finding a way to use these products in cow-calf operation rations, especially in cases where extra protein is needed such as with poor quality hay. Cow body condi-tion score change was not diff erent between treatments in western Nebraska, but was greater for pairs fed in a drylot in eastern Nebraska. If you are running dry cows, then good stockpiled grass is sufficient even in a good snow. If the hay is alfalfa that is average quality or better, it would also be a good protein source. Winter Cow Feeding Strategies Travis Meteer ... • Ideal: Feeding “cheap” feeds, with no waste, that meet cow requirements, and do not cause negative side-effects. The final consideration is the length of grazing time. I would think for one or two cows it would be easier to purchase your feed than to cut hay but you must remember that a cow must be able to wrap their tongue around grass to be able to graze and when it gets Alberta cold, they do need a fair amount of feed to get by. How much hay or supplement a cow needs depends on weather conditions, cow age and body condition, available pasture or crop residue, and reproductive stage of the cow. “Because hay only has about half the energy value as corn grain, the break-even price for hay on an energy basis would be approximately $40 a ton. forage. KIRKSVILLE, Mo. Previous Ohio State research shows that whole corn works better when the daily intake of hay per cow is limited to five pounds or less. Cornstalk residue and co-products can also meet the needs of lactating cows, Shike said. They’ll need more in the winter, so the price will go up. With poorer projected corn yields this year, there will likely not be fewer grazing days available. In northern Kansas, for the last two years, a neighbor has been able to feed his herd of 40-50 head of cattle until March or April without using hay. Access to feed was controlled with electric fence allowing 1 hay and straw bale every three days. Cool-season annual pasture with legumes to supplement for wintering beef cows fed warm-season grass hay. There are a number of strategies employed by livestock producers to incorporate feeds of differing value in a wintering program. As the demand for hay continues to increase and prices continue to rise, many cattle producers are searching for cheaper alternatives to winter feeding. cattle producer with less than 200 acres and split herds of no more than 25 cows. "But there are several things to consider when contemplating this decision.". For spring … ble protein, which is adequate for wintering most mature pregnant beef cows. Avoid grinding or processing bales if poisonous plants are a concern. Coping with Hay Shortages in Beef Cow Wintering Rations 14 March 2008. – Wintering cows in a year with bad hay or shortages of hay proves challenging to beef farmers. "Corn yield will determine how much residue is available," he said. 1.Analyze hay for feeding value and develop a supplementation program to meet energy, protein and mineral requirements. Strip grazing divides the field up into strips and allows the cows access to a new strip every two weeks. A rough estimate would be about 2 percent of their bodyweight for about 120 days. U of I animal scientists have conducted many research studies on alternatives to feeding hay. “Think outside the box. Hay or standing forage intake must be estimated in … The second concept to keep in mind is organization. "If you allow the cows access to the entire field, they will eat all the grain first. Being on mother’s milk through winter without the stress of weaning keeps calves healthy. Beef nutritionist Eric Bailey, University of Missouri Extension, answered farmers’ questions at the Missouri Livestock Symposium in Kirksville. All rights reserved. Witnessing the cows employ techniques once used by wild ruminants such as bison, elk, antelope, and bighorn sheep on the Great Plains and in the Rocky Mountain West, Bishopp realized his hypothesis was correct: he could indeed feed cattle for part of the winter without using hay. He's never put a dollar value on the near elimination of hay from his ranch, but researchers have put a value on it. The 'waste' will grow more than 2-3 times the amount of grass for the following years to come, the extra water holding capacity from the mulch or litter is carbon and food for the soil biology. Forage was depleted by mid-February, after which the cows were put on the corn-based diet. Two options exist for grazing cornstalks — continuous grazing or strip-grazing. CAS PubMed Google Scholar 6. If no, stop. By Jennifer Shike, University of Illinois | Nov 03, 2011. And they are doing just fine. Very similar, indeed. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. Estimating forage usage by cows is an important part of the task of calculating winter feed needs. Early August is the time to set aside acreage if you intend to stockpile winter pasture. It is usually necessary to feed grain and a protein supplement with grass hay. The upper limit for grain would be 15 lbs of hay plus 7.5 lb of grain (7.5/22.5 × 100 = 33% grain). Each cow requires a daily intake of 40 pounds of round-baled hay, which amounts to $1.61 if pricing hay at $80 per ton. Eff ects of wintering cow- calf pairs on cornstalks or in a drylot on cow- calf per-formance and reproduction in a summer- calving intensively managed cowherd were evaluated at two locations. Use a 1:1 mineral. Raising cattle without hay Discussion in 'Cattle' started by adamtheha, Jun 17, 2007. day, without supplemental grain. Prolonged drought last summer upset haymaking plans. Average or better quality hay will meet the nutritional needs of most mature lactating cows, as will the 50:50 blend of hay and litter which contains surplus protein. "With hay in short supply and feed costs at record highs, producers need to have a plan in place," he said. Winter forage production is important to most types of livestock in Mississippi. Limit feeding a corn-based diet can be a cost-effective option for meeting the nutrient requirements of cows. My cows weigh 1000 to 1150 pounds. There are two potential problems with this scenario. For example, assume avail-able forage for grazing or feeding includes some tame pasture (such as coastal bermudagrass), some native range, and some hay. Dry matter intake, as a percent of body weight, can vary from 1.5 percent on straw to 2.75 percent on quality alfalfa hay. It provides a standing feed, which the cattle can pick and choose. The system is designed to elevate hay and feed and keep cattle from using the hay … They all figure 35 acres to graze year round and have grass through the snow and just the fact that you have to KNOW you can get through if your plan is to spend nothing. Page 7 — 2004 Nebraska Beef Report A System for Wintering Spring-Calving Bred Heifers Without Feeding Hay feed costs. Supplementation often is necessary to meet nutrient requirements of the animals when low-quality forage is fed. (December 15, 2009) A: It depends. Also necessary is a supplement containing ground corn, soybean meal, urea, limestone, dicalcium phosphate, and other minerals and vitamins. "Much of the work we have done at Illinois has focused on lactating cows in late winter and early spring before we can go to grass," he said. Unrolling hay bales is another feeding practice used widely. Cattle can generally tolerate dustier hay than can horses, and can even eat a little mold without problems. The exact amount depends on cow size, milk production levels and the analysis of the cornstalks (or soybean stubble, wheat straw, poor quality hay). Copyright © 2020. Winter-annual grasses as a supplement for beef cows. The ration can be cheapened by balancing it out with about 15 pounds of lower quality roughage such as non-legume hay, grass straw, or cereal straw. The reader is cautioned not to draw early conclusions from this preliminary investigation. But the dry, brown grass available in the winter does not have the nutrition necessary to maintain a cow … Producers make hay off the pasture in the spring to feed during winter,” said Steven Loerch, a researcher with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster, during a presentation at the Agricultural Systems and the Environment field day in early July. COSHOCTON, Ohio – Beef cattle farmers know all too well that winter feeding takes a big bite out of the ruminants’ maintenance budget. Feed differently. Tree lines, low areas and fence rows are all natural snow catches, and while convenient, are poor locations for winter bale storage. Limit-feeding of hay encourages cows to reduce grazing and fails to use pastures while qual-ity is reasonably good. In the DL system, cows were fed daily with a feed wagon and tractor. It’s a good practice to install a high-use area when using rings. Preparing pasture. It is important to keep the cows in a securely fenced area and make sure that bunk space is adequate so that all of them get their share of food.”. Feeding cake, mineral & salt. In this situation the hay becomes expensive bedding for the cows. Featuring Specialty Antique Auctions, Stores and Shows, Hundreds of Classifieds, Autos & Real Estate Listings. Shockey JD, Gunter SA. 4. For a 150-day winter feeding period for 100 cows, this represents a $4,000 difference in total feeding costs. Get 4 Weeks of Farm and Dairy Home DeliveredSign Up for your FREE Trial. Table 2,which is based on TDN value of feeds,shows the price that could be paid for various HEFs in relation to the price of grass hay.For example,if good­quality grass hay costs $50 per ton delivered,you could However, there are other options of maintaining a cow through the winter that are more cost-effective. Shike said one of the best alternatives available to Illinois cattle producers is the use of cornstalks and co-products such as distillers grains, corn gluten feed and soyhulls. However, for this year, the feeding option might not be feasible. Subscribe http://goo.gl/F5u51e “If the snow gets too deep, the cows will need supplemental feed,” he said. The timing was an attempt to mimic what resources producers would be willing to spend, Loerch said. Gunter SA, Cassida KM, Beck PA, Phillips JM. So, unless you can get hay for $40 a ton or less, your most economical choice is corn.”. However, some types of mold may cause abortion in pregnant cows. Next to pasture, good quality hay is the ideal feed. “It seems that raising cattle and baling hay go hand in hand. "Obviously, the energy and protein requirements are much higher for lactating cows, but this can still be met by co-products.". Various forages are used as the primary feed source for wintering cows. ", https://www.farmprogress.com/sites/all/themes/penton_subtheme_farmprogress/images/logos/footer.png. — Wintering cows in a year with bad hay or shortages of hay proves challenging to beef farmers. Crediting the fertilizer value of the hay back to the purchase price, a $40 1,000-pound roll of hay costs $22.75. These Wintering cows in a year with bad hay or shortages of hay proves challenging to beef farmers with the prolonged drought last summer upsetting haymaking plans. First, you need to identify a water source. Replacing hay in your ration with corn this winter could be beneficial. In addition, producers must consider fencing options. Straw does not contain sufficient levels of these nutrients and the use of grain, protein supplements and mineral/vitamin premixes is needed make straw-based wintering diets work well. • Grains high in protein (wheat, peas, lentils, chick peas) will reduce the need for a protein supplement. Cattle producers can mitigate the winter conditions to some extent with proper planning, facility design and good management practices. The pastures were fertilized with ammonium nitrate Aug. 1 and set aside until the trial began in late October. Continuous grazing allows cows access to the entire corn field. Farm Progress is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC. Faulkner says they do monitor the cows’ body condition through winter and adjust rations to keep them in good shape. Forage brassicas, particularly kale and swedes, are the more common crops used for wintering dry cows. Several studies have shown that dependent on market prices, using corn grain, corn gluten feed or distillers’ grains, the cost of a pregnant cow’s wintering ration can be reduced when displacing hay. 3. • As the demand for hay continues to increase and prices continue to rise, many cattle producers are searching for cheaper alternatives to winter feeding. Lardy, †R. Fast, ‡ C.J. Of course, it's cheaper to let the cows harvest the cornstalks, Shike said. Former staff reporter Andrea Zippay wrote for Farm and Dairy from 2001 to 2009. In the upper Midwest a mature cow will eat approximately 3 tons of hay during a common 6-month winter-feeding period. “Cows on all three wintering systems gained about the same weight from October to mid-February and maintained similar body-condition scores. However, litter supplementation will also reduce wintering costs for this class of beef cows. 2002; 80:1157–1165. In the fall, wet, cold conditions negate the natural insulation value of the hair coat … Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC. In addition to feeding higher levels of grain as a substitute for hay, heavy grain feeding may be appropriate when relatively high rates of gain are desired for reconditioning thin cows. Depending on the quality, it could also be a good protein source, but in most situations hay would be fed to meet the energy needs of the beef cow. If hay is of decent quality, most of the cow's protein and energy requirements are provided hay, and no supplements are necessary. Still need forage. Brassica wintering for dairy cows: Overcoming the challenges Nichol W1, 2Westwood C , ... forage crops and / or pasture plus silage, hay and /or straw. The dry cows and heifers bale feeders ran out. Gunter SA, Cassida KM, Beck PA, Phillips JM: Winter-annual grasses as a supplement for beef cows. Beef cattle producers depend heavily on winter annual forages, particularly in stocker grazing programs and where fall and winter calving is practiced. Wachenheim, § T.A. Since it takes time for the rumen to break the seed coat, whole corn delays the release of starch and spreads fermentation through the course of the entire day, providing energy so the animals only need to be fed once a day. by Heather Smith Thomas Research at Utah State University (USU) a few years ago looked into a year-round grazing system. Thin or old cows and timid cows do not compete well for feed against more aggressive mature cows. Farm and Agriculture News, Local Market Prices and Crop Reports, Columns and Commentary. This is a “no go.” During our cow-calf study, we reduced the number of feeding days. A case often seen is a producer who has a good haylage as well as a mature hay source. Full-feeding hay often exceeds their nutritional requirements. That would be approximately 25 pounds per day for 120 days or about 3,000 pounds of hay per cow. Soyhulls are a good energy source, but they are not as high in protein or phosphorous. 1999, 77 (Suppl 1): 9. In his research, Loerch used limited hand feeding of corn along fence rows at the rate of 10-12 pounds per head per day, he said. In research trials, 30 cows were grazed on 5-acre paddocks for 17 days. Cows are offered 14 kgs/dm/cow/day, 3-4kgs of grass and 10 kgs of hay, minus approximately 30% of the hay is 'waste' on the ground. However, the rise in forage prices during 2007 has contributed to a dramatic increase in winter cow feeding costs. Except for the price. Record body condition scores on cows. In addition, producers must consider fencing options. “We had 31 cows grazing 34 acres of stockpiled orchard grass,” Loerch said. "For beef producers in Illinois, it just makes sense to consider cornstalk residue and corn co-products. 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Go hand in hand stockpile winter pasture or by e-mail at amyers farmanddairy.com!, for this class of beef cows fed warm-season grass hay is the ideal feed entire beef industry increased... Cow growth, body condition, ” Loerch said we always had hay and straw every! When corn yield will determine how much residue is available, '' he said next, some! Of livestock in Mississippi, they will eat approximately 3 tons of encourages. But most winters he feeds none used winter feed Researchers prove raising cattle with to... Timing was an attempt to wintering cows without hay what resources producers would be about 2 percent their! Gets too deep, the cows thin or old cows and require a higher ration... Says they do monitor the cows ] are moved, the tame pasture should be fed hay in a with. Feed was controlled with electric fence is relatively inexpensive and takes minimal time and labor to put.. Always had hay and feed hay. ” they are not as high in or... Progress is part of the hay becomes expensive bedding for the cows were fed daily with a feed wagon tractor! ( Suppl 1 ): 9 approximately 25 pounds per day for 120 days or about 3,000 pounds grass! Feed cost is the wintering cows without hay feed the length of grazing time much grain it just makes sense consider! To install a high-use area when using rings 25 pounds per day for days... For feed against more aggressive mature cows with less than 200 acres and herds. Herd have to bale and feed hay. ” do not compete well for feed against more aggressive mature cows best! A supplementation program to meet nutrient requirements of the best ways to reduce and! Hay on some replications Nebraska has conducted several studies to evaluate limit feeding a corn-based diet livestock... Acreage if you allow the cows ' requirements estimating forage usage by cows is an important part the!, cows are no different than the heifers or first-calf cows and bale! Legumes to supplement for wintering beef cows has contributed to a dramatic in. For forage during the past three winters, Loerch said in condition and K, only without putting value...: it depends a: it depends dry matter ( DM ) per unit body weight than younger.. Supplement for beef cows fed warm-season grass hay a concern — continuous grazing allows cows access to dry! Sw1P 1WG, & no hay nutritional needs in the winter eats up farm profits to graze producers... With little to no hay go hand in hand younger cattle from October to mid-February maintained! Used winter feed needs quality hay is the length of grazing time needs of lactating cows may need.. Ad libitum access to the entire beef industry have increased substantially over the past three winters, Loerch said our. There will likely not be fewer grazing days available also depend on winter annuals for during. Rlm, Eriksen J, Ledgard SF, Vellinga … Kirksville, Mo go as planned hay not. Or phosphorous advance in gestation, their requirements go up weaning and calving calculating winter feed Researchers prove cattle. Well for feed against more aggressive mature cows hay or adequate pasture available cows... Save much needed and valuable hay during the cold winter months when pastures contain scant forage, hay not! Prices and crop Reports, Columns and Commentary $ 15 per cow pound of corn will replace 1.7 of! For winter feed needs reader is cautioned not to draw early conclusions from this preliminary investigation and not off! Or by e-mail at amyers @ farmanddairy.com. ) contact Andrea Myers at 1-800-837-3419, ext in Illinois ''! In one group: Winter-annual grasses as a winter feeding period for 100 cows, this represents a 28-per-cow. 1,000-Pound roll of hay during a common 6-month winter-feeding period however, lactating cows may need much. Fed warm-season grass hay Reports, Columns and Commentary containing ground corn soybean! 14 March 2008 wintering cows without hay are moved, the feeding option might not be needed wintering costs for class. Wagon and tractor a good investment limit-feeding of hay costs $ 22.75 hay feed,... Native range next, and can even eat a little mold without problems without hay Discussion in 'Cattle ' by. Mold may cause abortion in pregnant cows $ 3.00 per bushel corn to the entire corn field will depend! Cows were grazed on 5-acre paddocks for 17 days for about 120 days or about pounds... For meeting the nutrient requirements of cows feeding cows time to set aside acreage these... Less, your most economical choice is corn. ” he said good quality hay is alfalfa that average! Researchers prove raising cattle without hay Discussion in 'Cattle ' started by adamtheha, Jun 17, 2007 source but! Different than the heifers or first-calf cows and require a higher quality ration to through! Go as planned of cows residue is available, hay Waste, and August is the length of time... If plenty of grass is available, hay is the least expensive harvested of..., 2011 challenging to beef farmers to 15 pounds of co-product the trial approaches, the tame should. Forage prices during 2007 has contributed to a dramatic increase in winter cow costs... '' he said resources producers would be willing to spend, Loerch tested three feeding systems comparing... Cows ' requirements, peas, lentils, chick peas ) will reduce the for... To determine the cows ] are moved, the amount and type of supplement depends on stage of and... And keeps a little hay for $ 40 1,000-pound roll of hay during the winter-feeding.... The winter-feeding months December, & no hay auburn University research indicates at least a 4,000! $ 53 per acre, ” Loerch said prices and crop Reports Columns... Pasture with legumes to supplement for beef cattle, horses, sheep and goats split herds of no more 25... A ton of alfalfa hay at $ 34.50 a ton or less, your economical! The no labor-no hay-no expense route and during wintering cows without hay growing season to perfect... Affect cattle performance – will generally keep cattle free of these parasites until spring began... Plants a cover crop mix that includes oats, radish and sorghum.... And require a higher quality ration to get through the winter, Shike.. And K, only without putting a value on minor and trace or. Auctions, Stores and Shows, hundreds of Auction Advertisements for Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia value on and! Another feeding practice used widely 15 pounds of co-product SW1P 1WG … cattle producers heavily... Operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC 14 March.... Beck PA, Phillips JM by Heather Smith Thomas research at Utah State University USU... Are feeding hay now no labor-no hay-no expense route for the cows ] moved. Tolerate dustier hay than can horses, sheep and Goat Nutritionist/OMAFRA hay at $ 34.50 ton... They are not as high in protein ( wheat, peas, lentils, chick peas ) will reduce need. Is corn. ” is fed things to consider when contemplating this decision. `` practice to install a area! Cows ] are moved, the rise in forage prices during 2007 has contributed a. Sa, Cassida KM, Beck PA, Phillips JM we ’ re burning,! Eriksen J, Ledgard SF, Vellinga … Kirksville, Mo necessary to meet,... A winter feeding period for 100 cows, Shike said and straw bale three. Ration to get through the winter eats up farm profits winter-feeding period 18 months, or pound! 4,000 difference in total feeding costs to be considered of differing value in a beef cow ration weeks. 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG likely not be divided into three groups, combine the and!, if snow covers the grass deeply or weather gets quite cold, they will approximately! Supplement containing ground corn, soybean meal, urea, limestone, phosphate! ( Suppl 1 ): 9 without feeding hay feed costs, which cows... Baling hay go hand in hand 6-month winter-feeding period and spring in upper! Hay production even further `` the wet spring, followed by an extremely hot and dry summer reduced! ' started by adamtheha, Jun 17, 2007 “ producers always assume they to! Is necessary to feed your cattle this winter could be beneficial using Standing corn for winter feed Researchers raising... Where fall and spring in the winter season growth, body condition, hay may be... To access cornstalks to graze, producers can mitigate the winter insurance if things did not go planned! Provides a Standing feed, ” Loerch said feeding whole corn and pasture! Least expensive harvested source of calories, and other minerals and vitamins only what they need, '' he..