Can you substitute corn for hay in cattle feed?
However, when hay is limited, of poor quality, or simply too expensive, producers may consider alternatives. Corn, for example, can be substituted for hay as the primary energy source in mature cow rations. Table 2. Range of nutrient concentrations of hay fed to cattle
What do you feed your cows?
Cows were either fed around 11 pounds of whole shelled corn, 2.5 pounds of a pelleted supplement, and 2 pounds of hay (dry matter basis) or offered hay and a salt and mineral mix free choice from November to April. Hay was predominantly first-cutting orchardgrass testing around 72% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and 9.5% crude protein (CP).
What are alternative feeds for beef cows?
In times when hay is expensive, alternative feeds may be used to supply energy and protein to the cow herd. Heifers consuming alternative feeds. Hay is the most common feed used for beef cows during winter time.
What is hay for cows?
Hay was predominantly first-cutting orchardgrass testing around 72% neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and 9.5% crude protein (CP). Cows fed free choice hay ate twice as much feed resulting in double the feed costs compared to limit feeding the corn-based diet.
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.
Do cows really need hay?
Except for the price. 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.
Can cows survive on grain alone?
While many people rely on cows as a source of protein in their diet, cattle rely on their vegetarian meals to meet the same nutritional requirement. A healthy pasture provides all the protein that cows require. Scant pasture as well as hay or grain diets should be augmented with additional protein.
How do you feed cows cheaply?
Baled stalks make good combo feed. Limit-feeding it is often a low-cost option. “Distillers' fed with a low quality forage like corn stalks is so cost effective because distillers' is often a low-cost source of both energy and protein,” says Drewnoski.
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.
Why do farmers feed cows corn instead of grass?
Cattle are fed grains like corn because they are nutritious, energy-rich, and can be stored for use throughout the year. Because grass does not grow year-round in most of the United States, feeding grains like corn to cattle helps farmers and ranchers raise a consistent, year-round supply of great tasting beef.
How do you feed cows without hay?
Corn is commonly used as a feed in finishing, or feedlot, cattle diets throughout the U.S. Whole corn-based diets can meet the nutrient requirements of pregnant beef cattle without adverse effects on production and, depending on the economics, may be provided at a lower cost than feeding hay (Loerch, 1996).
Is clover good for grazing?
Extend Grazing Season Clover is a valuable addition to any pasture or hay mix. Being in the legume family, they supply lots of high quality protein, relative feed value, and other nutrients and they're very palatable, too.
Do cows need grain everyday?
The grain finished cattle need to be checked regularly and fed daily. They live in the pasture their entire lives and also receive natural grain during the last 6 months of their life. It's up to them on if they eat the grass or grain.
Are alfalfa cubes good for cattle?
Alfalfa pellets and alfalfa bales benefit animals because they are high in fiber, packed with nutrients such as calcium and are a viable source of digestible protein. Alfalfa's high fiber content makes alfalfa an ideal animal feed choice due to the fibrous diet requirements of livestock.
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 many bales of hay does a cow need a day?
A 1200-pound cow, ready for processing, will require 36 pounds of forage per day based on the formula used here. Thirty-six pounds of hay is close to one small square bale of hay per day, taking into consideration some waste.
Is hay healthy for cows?
Hay can provide every important nutrient for cattle, but it has to be picked at the height of its nutrient richness À” that is, before it becomes too dry. To be a good food source for cattle, hay must also be carefully cured and stored to prevent rot and damage. There are many hay varieties that offer good nutrition.
Is it OK to feed cows grass clippings?
Cattle: Yes, if Fresh-Mowed or Fully Fermented Cattle, on the other hand, can safely consume fresh grass clippings as long as they do so within 8 hours of mowing.
How much hay does a cow need per day?
24 pounds per dayCows will voluntarily consume about 2 percent of their body weight or 24 pounds per day. The 24 pounds is based on 100 percent dry matter. Grass hays often will be 7 percent to 10 percent moisture.
How many bales of hay does a cow eat per day?
A 1200-pound cow, ready for processing, will require 36 pounds of forage per day based on the formula used here. Thirty-six pounds of hay is close to one small square bale of hay per day, taking into consideration some waste.
How much hay should I cut for cows?
Hay per cow can be cut from 30 or 40 pounds to 10 pounds. However, hay should not be eliminated. (United Soybean Board via Flickr) KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — Wintering cows in a year with bad hay or shortages of hay proves challenging to beef farmers.
Is haylage cut in spring better than dry hay baled in August?
Haylage cut in spring is better than dry hay baled in August. In follow-up, farmers had questions about that 6-pound limit on corn for cows. They were taught 3 pounds was the limit. Bailey said research at Kansas State University shows 6 pounds to be safe. “That’s been duplicated in other research,” he added.
Nutrient Requirements of Cows
Before we start talking about alternative feed sources, we need to understand cow nutrient requirements. Nutrient requirements depend on cow body weight, milk production potential, and lactation status (lactating or dry). Nutrient requirements of the gestating, dry cow from mid to late gestation are presented for discussion (Table 1).
Conclusion
Winter feed costs typically represent the largest portion of a cow/calf operation expenses. In time of limited hay supply and increased hay price, it can be economically advantageous to use corn rather than hay to meet the energy requirements of cows.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
How to conserve forage?
Feeding some grain is another way to conserve forage. Depending on the cost of grain and hay, it may or may not be more expensive. Slowly adapt animals to grain diets by substituting a few pounds of grain for a few pounds of hay. Every few days, increase the amount of grain in the diet until you reach the desired grain level.
What do ruminants need to eat?
Ruminants require a diet that is at least 10% forage (pasture or hay) for a functional digestive system. A high-grain diet contains more energy than mature cows need. Although the cow's need for feed will be satisfied, she will probably gain weight on this diet.
What animals need supplemental protein?
But, if you are feeding animals with higher requirements (lactating cows and ewes, replacement heifers and ewe lambs) or using low-quality forage (poor quality hay or grass straw/screening pellets), you will need to add supplemental protein and energy.
Is alfalfa hay better than grass hay?
Usually higher in protein and energy than grass hay, it is sometimes available at a lower cost. Some rained-on alfalfa hay might meet the nutrient requirements of your livestock. Alfalfa may be fed at strategic times like after lambing or calving.
What is the best solution for cows and calf producers?
In many cases, the best solution for cow/calf producers is to utilize a limit-fed, high grain diet fed in dry lot or semi-confinement.
How much does hay cost in Colorado?
The economic viability of using alternative feeds is a key consideration. Hay prices average $200-240/ ton in western Colorado. Upon the onset of drought conditions, hay prices often increase and may become scarce. Keep an eye on local hay availability and prices at the first signs of drought. For example, if you learn of a cheaper alternative feed, consider the location of the feed source and the transportation costs to obtain the feed. If you produce high-quality hay, it may be financially viable for you to sell the high-quality hay at a premium price and purchase lower-quality hay to feed for extended periods. Feed prices and cattle prices fluctuate, and there is no one-size-fits all solution, but general considerations with regards to economics can help maintain financial sustainability and herd health in drought. For information and resources to help you make cost-effective decisions regarding alternative feeds during drought, visit the CSU Extension Decision Tools Page.
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 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.
