Grains such as milo, oats, barley or wheat may be used in cow-calf rations. Each of these grains will require some processing before feeding. Be sure to include the cost of processing in the total cost of the feed. Another option for stretching available hay is feeding by-product or co-product feeds.
Can I Feed my cattle straw?
Straw can make up a large portion of the ration when hay is in shortage as long as it is accompanied with a concentrate such as oats, barley or grain screenings pellets. It is important to plan a winter feeding ration, since straw does have its limitations when used in beef cattle diets.
How can I increase the protein content of straw?
Feeding limited amounts of hay, even poor- to medium-quality hay, will improve any straw ration. The cheapest source of protein will likely be alfalfa or alfalfa-grass hay.
What is the cheapest source of protein for cows?
The cheapest source of protein will likely be alfalfa or alfalfa-grass hay. It is advisable to feed cows hay instead of straw starting at least six weeks prior to calving and throughout the lactation period until the cows are turned out to spring pasture.
How much straw does it take to digest a cow?
Due to its higher fibre content, straw takes longer for a cow to digest than it does to digest hay or grain, which results in limited intakes. For example, a 1,200-pound cow may be capable of eating 25 or 30 pounds of straw in a 24-hour period but the microbes in her rumen are only capable of digesting 15 to 18 pounds in that same time period.
What to feed cattle to fatten them up?
What is the best feed for fattening cattle? Barley is the best grain for lot feeding cattle, but wheat, triticale, sorghum, maize, and oats can be used. Oats is not an ideal grain on its own for cattle fattening but can be used with any of the other grains. Hay or silage could be used as the roughage source.
What do cows eat when hay is short?
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.
What is the most efficient way to feed cows hay?
Processing or grinding hay is the most efficient method for limit-feeding, but rolling out bales on frozen ground is also an option. Monitor body condition scores and adjust feed accordingly to maintain cows at a body condition of 5/9 and heifers at a body condition of 6/9.
What is the fastest way to fatten a cow?
0:090:40What to Feed Cattle to Fatten Them Up - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe fitters edge that's. That's a universal feed. I can feed a steer that and tweak it to get in fatMoreThe fitters edge that's. That's a universal feed. I can feed a steer that and tweak it to get in fat. Or. I can I can add a little fiber to it like non-medicated pre-con to a heifer.
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.
How do you stretch hay?
Ten strategies to stretch hay suppliesReduce forage demand for the upcoming fall and winter. ... Plant annual forages to provide additional feed. ... Find and secure other forage resources. ... Compare feed options and contract protein and energy supplements early to lock in supplies.More items...•
How many cows will one round bale feed?
Baleage typically is double the weight of dry hay, due to the high moisture content. But a 4 ft. by 4 ft. bale of baleage will still contain roughly 670 pounds of forage dry matter, so you can still feed one to your 18 cows.
How do you keep cows from wasting hay?
Most cattle farmers experience waste due to improper feeding practices and poor storage techniques. Fortunately, wasting hay can easily be eliminated by the use of a hay feeder. A hay feeder can come in the form of a hay ring and certain variations.
What is the cheapest cattle feed?
“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.
What is the best grain to feed cattle?
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.
How can a skinny cow gain weight?
The right choices help you pack on the pounds and keep them there, from weaning stages to market weight.Add Grain into Their Daily Diet. ... Prevent Illness and Parasites. ... Add a Weight Gain Supplement. ... Use Creep Feeders During Weaning. ... Prevent Cattle Shrink and Stress, Especially During Transport.
How do you bulk up a cow?
There's a reason beef cattle are most commonly finished in feedlots. It's because most grains have higher protein content than most grasses. It's easier to pack on the pounds and faster to bring cattle up to market weight (1,200 to 1,500 pounds) when feeding them corn than it is to finish them on forage alone.
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.
What do you feed cows other than 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 need hay if they have grass?
Provide hay Lehmkuhler also recommends cows be offered some hay even when they're out on grass in early spring. “The high moisture content of the grass can limit dry matter intake,” he says. “Cows will not eat much hay, but 5 pounds of dry hay intake is equivalent to approximately 40 pounds of lush pasture forage.
Can cows survive on grass alone?
Many people still think that dairy cows consume grass and grass alone. They have that idyllic image of black and white cows out in a green pasture next to a red barn. 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).
How to slowly adapt animals to grain diets?
Slowly adapt animals to grain diets by substituting a few pounds of grain for a few pounds of hay.
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 is endophyte fescue?
As you may know, endophytes are a type of fungus that helps protect the plant from disease. They are bred into turfgrass-type fescues but are toxic to livestock. The forage-type fescues and ryegrass sold in Oregon are endophyte-free. Information on endophyte testing and tolerances by livestock is available.
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.
What to feed forage in Willamette Valley?
Another option in times of forage shortages is to feed grass straw or grass screening pellets from the Willamette Valley. There are two things you should be aware of when buying grass straw:
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.
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.
How much straw should a cow eat?
For example, a 1,200-pound cow may be capable of eating 25 or 30 pounds of straw in a 24-hour period but the microbes in her rumen are only capable of digesting 15 to 18 pounds in that same time period. Impaction can and does occur.
What is the key to successfully feeding straw?
Developing a balanced ration is the key to successfully feeding straw, Peardon adds.
What happens if you grind cows?
Grinding or processing increases intake, but without proper balanced supplementation of energy and protein, problems can appear. Malnutrition, impaction, reduced milk output and lowered conception rates are just the big ones that can hit your herd if you put too much emphasis on straw to carry the cows through.
What minerals are included in the nutrient ration?
Ensure that adequate and balanced levels of the main minerals, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sulphur plus trace minerals copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, cobalt, selenium and vitamins A, D and E are incorporated into the ration. The requirements for minerals change throughout the various stages of pregnancy and lactation.
Is straw better than grass hay?
In most cases, Peardon says, straw has lower energy content than grass hay and quite a bit less digestible protein. Adequate protein levels are necessary to avoid impaction on a straw-rich diet. Rumen microbes need a certain level of crude protein just to maintain their ability to digest fibre.
Does hay impaction occur?
Impaction can and does occur. Feeding limited amounts of hay, even poor- to medium-quality hay, will improve any straw ration. The cheapest source of protein will likely be alfalfa or alfalfa-grass hay.
Can you use straw in beef ration?
Straw can make up a large portion of the ration when hay is in shortage as long as it is accompanied with a concentrate such as oats, barley or grain screenings pellets. It is important to plan a winter feeding ration, since straw does have its limitations when used in beef cattle diets. One of those limitations is that it does not contain enough ...