What Hay is best for cows?
Three implant regimes were compared:
- No implant,
- Revalor-H at processing,
- Revalor-H delayed 21 days after initial processing.
How to round bale hay?
The potential benefits of using round hay bales are:
- System simplicity
- Easy to transport
- Requires less labor than other storage systems
- Optimal cost-benefit ratio
- High nutritional value of forage
- Ease of storage, transport, and handling
- Does not require an expensive investment in structures
Is grinding Hay better for cattle?
Hay is not suppose to be ground extremely fine. Cattle need long stem roughage to stimulate cud chewing and production of saliva. Grind it too find and you lose all of this. This is why soyhulls, beet pulp etc. although roughage, are limited when included in a diet.
What is the best hay for dairy cows?
They do best with fine, soft hay that’s cut before bloom stage; it not only contains more nutrients, but is also much easier to eat. Dairy cows need the best hay—with the most nutrients per pound—since they are producing more milk than a beef cow.
What do cows eat besides hay and grass?
Everything! Commercial cows usually eat a TMR (total mixed ration) with grass and corn silage. Total mixed rations may contain byproducts like cottonseeds, corn gluten, almond hulls, and soybean meal. In addition to TMR feed – cows love to graze and snack on alfalfa, clover, and other grasses, shrubs, or legumes.
What is the cheapest way to feed cattle?
“Corn residue is one of the lowest cost forages on a cost per pound of energy. That's why mixing a high energy and protein feed like distillers' grains with a low quality forage like corn stalks is so cost effective. Distillers' is often a low-cost source of both energy and protein.
Do cattle need hay?
Hay is the most commonly used winter feed for beef cattle, but it's also the most expensive. 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.
What can you feed cows in a field?
Grass and other forage compose most or the majority of a grass-fed diet. There is debate whether cattle should be raised on diets primarily composed of pasture (grass) or on a concentrated diet of grain, soy, and other supplements.
Can cattle eat only grass?
While some cows can sustain many of their needs on grass alone, they are usually the non-lactating cows (i.e., cows that aren't producing milk). A lactating dairy cow has a high metabolism, and is very similar to a marathon runner or high performance athlete.
How do you make your own cattle feed?
3:294:42Cattle Ration Formulation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe need to use 9 pounds of bro. Hey 11.7 5 pounds of corn silage. 6.75 pounds of dried distillersMoreWe need to use 9 pounds of bro. Hey 11.7 5 pounds of corn silage. 6.75 pounds of dried distillers grains. And point 3 5 pounds of a supplement which contains the minerals vitamins ionophore.
Do cows prefer grass or hay?
The simple answer is hay. Most people are familiar the a cows diet in the summer, acres and acres of lush green grass. But what is hay? Hay is the staple forage in most cattle operations.
Do cows need hay everyday?
Cows will voluntarily consume 2.0% of body weight or 24 pounds per day. The 24 pounds is based on 100% dry matter. Grass hays will often be 7 to 10% moisture. If we assume that the hay is 92% dry matter or 8% moisture, then the cows will consume about 26 pounds per day on an “as-fed basis”.
What is the best feed for beef cattle?
Corn has the highest energy value and is likely the most economical grain in corn-producing localities. Corn, oats, and barley are the primary grains fed to cattle. Oats, which has a lower energy value due to its high fiber content, is considered the "safest" grain in regards to potential digestive disturbances.
Is clover good for cows?
Research has shown that clovers improve animal gains and conception rates. High quality feed is important for a calf to gain well and for a cow to rebreed after calving. Clovers are more digestible and contain more nutrients than grasses.
How much does it cost to feed a cow per year?
If the average producer feeds hay from 120 to 160 days, we are talking about an additional cost of from $90.00 to $240.00 per cow per year. All due to harvested feed cost.
What is one way farmers are using to decrease feed prices?
Combine forage and feed. Consider feeding a single commodity paired with a higher-quality forage. It can be more cost-effective than offering a higher-priced ration with lower-quality forage. “Calves can put on pounds with good-quality forage,” Bailey added.
What is best feed for beef cattle?
Corn has the highest energy value and is likely the most economical grain in corn-producing localities. Corn, oats, and barley are the primary grains fed to cattle. Oats, which has a lower energy value due to its high fiber content, is considered the "safest" grain in regards to potential digestive disturbances.
What does molasses do for cattle?
Feeding molasses to farm animals will improve digestion of pastures/hay; increase milk production, help maintain body condition and appetite and result in less feed waste. Cane sugar, which has similar benefits to molasses, is an inexpensive alternative to use.
What is the best hay for ruminants?
Peanut and soybean hays can be very good hays for small ruminants. Vetches or pea hays, if available in your area, are legumes high in crude protein, too. Alfalfa is the gold standard. Small grain hays (wheat, oats) can be good if harvested before the plant begins to make a seedhead.
What is hay used for?
Hay is a substitute for forage rooted in a pasture. Younger animals have higher nutrient demand relative to total intake, so the highest-quality hay available should be fed to them. Mature sheep and goats can sustain weight on hay that is 7 to 9 percent crude protein and 52 to 55 percent total digestible nutrients.
What hay is good for small ruminants?
Hay availability differs according to region of the country. Timothy hay is popular in the east and a grass hay is good for small ruminants. In the south, Bermuda grass hays are popular.
What to do when you are low on hay?
If low on hay for feeding your livestock, try substitutes like corn stalk bales or another source of long-stem fiber. Sometimes nature gets the better of us and impedes our ability to stock up on hay to feed our livestock during the winter.
Can goats eat corn stalks?
Depending your animals’ ages and your normal hay type, you may be able to substitute corn stalk bales. The corn stalk will likely be deficient in protein and energy. Sheep and goats will not eat much (if any) of the large stalks. Sheep and goats, by nature, prefer green over dead and leaf over stem.
Do goats like green leaves?
Sheep and goats, by nature, prefer green over dead and leaf over stem. Nutrients in the plant are concentrated in green leaves, and the leaves are generally more palatable and digestible than the stems. If you are low on hay, try looking for another source of long-stem fiber.
What happens when cattle eat less forage?
In short, when the forage is depleted and they eat less of it, the need to give your cattle supplemental feed increases dramatically.
Why do cows need cubes?
Cattle Cubes. Cattle cubes help your herd maintain both their weight and condition because they are formulated to supplement fair and low-quality forage. Cattle cubes provide the protein, minerals, and vitamins a cow’s forage sometimes lacks. Cattle cubes come in several different sizes, making them easier for your cattle to eat.
Why do cattle need supplemental feed?
Protein and nutrient deficiencies are the other main reasons your herd may need supplemental feed. Low-quality forage is defined as forage that contains less than 7% crude protein (CP) and has lower than 50% total digestible nutrients (TDN).
What to do if cattle have insufficient forage?
With insufficient forage, cattle need feed. You should take action right away if you know that your herd’s grazing will be limited. You could simply reduce the number of cows in your herd, which would immediately reduce the amount of supplemental feeding the remaining cows require.
Why is pelleted feed digestible?
Another reason pelleted cattle feed is more digestible is the thermal process used to manufacture it. The thermal process locks in amino acids and other nutrients, providing better nutritional benefits for your cattle.
What is textured feed?
Textured cattle feed is made from flaked corn, molasses, protein pellets, and several other energy sources. It is also fortified with macro and micronutrients, vitamins, and other natural ingredients. Because it contains molasses, textured cattle feed is often referred to as “sweet feed.” Today’s textured cattle feed, which uses less molasses than in the past, still provides an advantage; it makes the feed more palatable, which is good news for your cattle.
What are cattle cubes?
Cattle cubes come in several different sizes, making them easier for your cattle to eat. Most cattle cubes contain 20% crude protein but also can be found in higher protein percentages. TIP: To reduce competition among your herd, your best choice is to feed them with ground, free-choice cattle cubes.
What feeds alfalfa?
Alternative feedstuffs used to decrease the dependency on alfalfa or grass hay include harvested corn stalks, millet hay, wheat straw, sorghum-sudan, cottonseed hulls, soybean hulls, wheat middlings, and corn gluten feed. Cottonseed hulls are low in protein (3.5 percent), but equal in energy to late cut grass hay. Cottonseed hulls should be fed with 2 to 3 pounds of 30 percent to 40 percent all-natural protein supplement and mineral. The crude protein in soybean hulls ranges from 10 percent to16 percent. Soybean hulls can be fed without additional forage, however, the digestible energy increases when fed with hay in a 2-to-1 ratio. Wheat middlings are a good source of protein (18 percent) and energy. It is best to mix at least 5 pounds of forage with the wheat middlings. Corn gluten feed is a byproduct of the corn wet milling industry and is available in wet or dry form. It is high in protein (25 percent) and should be fed at a rate of 0.5 percent of body weight, with a forage source. A calcium-phosphorus mineral mixture and salt should always be available to cows, especially when utilizing any alternative feeds. Vitamin A may need to be supplemented, also.
What to plant in spring forage?
Spring forage is always a premium. Small grains, such as cereal rye, triticale, or oats, can be used to fill the void of spring forage. In planning for next year, plant these varieties in August or September to provide forage the following spring. Keep in mind that nitrates may be an issue if the annual forage has been stressed (drought, wind, excessive soil nitrogen, shade, frost, certain herbicides, acid soils, low growing temperatures, and nutrient deficiencies), and be sure to have the forage tested for nitrates. Up to a threshold, high nitrate forages are consumable by diluting them with other feedstuffs and supplementing with energy (fact sheet 1.610, Nitrate Poisoning ).
Why are nitrates in my forage?
Keep in mind that nitrates may be an issue if the annual forage has been stressed (drought, wind, excessive soil nitrogen, shade, frost, certain herbicides, acid soils, low growing temperatures, and nutrient deficiencies), and be sure to have the forage tested for nitrates.
Why is it important to plan for fall forage?
Planning for fall forages can be critical during drought years as lack of water and forage may force some producers to come off of the rangelands and summer pastures early. Planning in advance ensures that there is ample grazable forage available for the livestock.
How long does it take for a cow to adjust to high grain diet?
Cattle should adapt to high-grain diets in seven to ten days and should be observed closely during that time. A minimal amount of roughage is required to maintain rumen function. Generally, cows should receive at least 0.5 percent of their body weight as roughage (90 percent dry matter basis).
What percentage of body weight should cows eat?
It is high in protein (25 percent) and should be fed at a rate of 0.5 percent of body weight, with a forage source. A calcium-phosphorus mineral mixture and salt should always be available to cows, especially when utilizing any alternative feeds. Vitamin A may need to be supplemented, also.
How long does it take for cattle to become hungry?
Since intake on concentrate diets is restricted, cattle may appear gaunt and behave as though hungry, however, after 14 to 21 days, they will adapt to the reduction in feed intake. Consider the full cost of alternative feeds.
How many nitrates are in milo hay?
I found some milo hay that has been tested to have 6.5% protein and 14 nitrates. Could someone tell me if this is good enough to buy and feed as long as protein tubs are made available at all times. We have tubs out year around to help anyways.
How much protein is in maize stalks?
You need to looking for Maize stalks. They are baling them in your area right now. They will be 7-8% protein. Put this with a protein tub and they will survive without losing to much. Sell your open cows and wean your calves early.
Why is it important to have a representative sample of forage?
It’s very important that you have a representative forage sample in order to get an accurate measurement of nitrate content. Drinking water may also contribute to nitrate toxicity, so it’s also a good idea to test water sources for nitrate content and then determine total nitrate intake in feed and water. OP.
Hay storage
Storing hay indoors is the best option for avoiding spoilage. But if you cannot keep all of your hay inside, other strategies can also help reduce spoilage. Reducing spoilage reduces waste, so it is important to remember that the outer portion of a bale contains a large proportion of the total hay in the bale.
Limit access time to round bale feeders
When given free choice access, cattle waste a significant amount of the hay available. Round bale feeders are a staple of feeding hay, but producers should consider limiting access to the feeders to reduce waste.
Limit feed in a bunk or on frozen ground
Limiting feed on a per head basis is best done with the help of a nutritionist to ensure your cattle maintain the proper body condition and meet their nutrient requirements. Success with limit-feeding is entirely dependent on having adequate bunk space.
Test your hay
Measuring your forage quality allows you to target nutritional goals more effectively by matching forages to animal requirements. This targeted approach improves efficiency and gives insight into the need for supplementation. Work with your nutritionist to develop the most efficient plan.
Inventory and Feeding Budget
The next step is to build a feed and forage needs budget to estimate feed needs for your farm, writes Mr Paulson in the September North Dakota State University newsletter.
Late-planted Corn
It may be available. Because of the reduction in corn grain market prices, some farms may find the opportunity to purchase late-planted corn to add to their supply of corn silage.
Pricing Corn Silage
It can be done in a number of ways to closely estimate the amount of silage. Silos and bags are easier to calculate than a pile, but each can be done.
Sweet Corn Silage
This type of silage or cannery waste can offer low cost forage alternatives in certain areas of the upper Midwest. Sweet corn silage compares favorably with regular corn silage in feeding value (Table 1). It will be lower in starch, as many of these other forages can be.
Other Alternate Forages
These could include cover crops that were planted on prevented-plant acres that could be available for harvest after Nov. 1. While these can be risky to rely on, the forage value as harvested or grazed forage can be relatively high.
