. 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 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. Next to pasture, good quality hay is the ideal feed. Gunter SA, Cassida KM, Beck PA, Phillips JM. Being on mother’s milk through winter without the stress of weaning keeps calves healthy. 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. Such a ra-tion is balanced for protein and TDN without the OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE FS 200 October 1973 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. Feed cost is the highest variable cost on most cow/calf operations. If you are running dry cows, then good stockpiled grass is sufficient even in a good snow. Limit-feeding of hay encourages cows to reduce grazing and fails to use pastures while qual-ity is reasonably good. “We had 31 cows grazing 34 acres of stockpiled orchard grass,” Loerch said. Winter-annual grasses as a supplement for beef cows. Such strategies may be of particular relevance during periods Preparing pasture. Grazing cornstalks. Watch for poisonous plants. 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. It's the end of December, & no hay. The cubes cost $12 to $15 per cow. With poorer projected corn yields this year, there will likely not be fewer grazing days available. The system is designed to elevate hay and feed and keep cattle from using the hay … These results indicate that the method in which round bales are fed could reduce the amount feed required to winter cows thereby reducing wintering costs. Various forages are used as the primary feed source for wintering cows. My cows weigh 1000 to 1150 pounds. For spring … If no, stop. But if used, rings can save much needed and valuable hay during the winter-feeding months. "Obviously, the energy and protein requirements are much higher for lactating cows, but this can still be met by co-products.". 4. “In a pasture system, it’s more difficult to handle them, they’re scattered and don’t know to come to you for feed.”. "But there are several things to consider when contemplating this decision.". The upper limit for grain would be 15 lbs of hay plus 7.5 lb of grain (7.5/22.5 × 100 = 33% grain). 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. And it’s the tradition, the mindset that beef cows should be fed hay in the winter, that gnaws farthest into the farm budget book. "Unfortunately, cows aren't very good at eating only what they need," he said. 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.". Use a 1:1 mineral. There are several people around here who do the no labor-no hay-no expense route. The mindset that beef cows should be fed hay in the winter eats up farm profits. “The cows are getting top-quality feed to help them keep body condition,” Faulkner says. 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. Strip grazing divides the field up into strips and allows the cows access to a new strip every two weeks. However, the rise in forage prices during 2007 has contributed to a dramatic increase in winter cow feeding costs. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Better-quality forage should be offered during the winter to keep cows in condition. In the DL system, cows were fed daily with a feed wagon and tractor. But the dry, brown grass available in the winter does not have the nutrition necessary to maintain a cow … 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. Up-to-date agriculture news in your inbox! “If you have other uses for your pasture that will generate more money than that, then stockpiling forage is not the best option. The exact amount depends on cow size, milk production levels and the analysis of the cornstalks (or soybean stubble, wheat straw, poor quality hay). "Grazing cornstalks and supplementing co-products is likely the most economical option in Illinois," he said. Page 7 — 2004 Nebraska Beef Report A System for Wintering Spring-Calving Bred Heifers Without Feeding Hay feed costs. 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. For a 150-day winter feeding period for 100 cows, this represents a $4,000 difference in total feeding costs. 1.Analyze hay for feeding value and develop a supplementation program to meet energy, protein and mineral requirements. But there is good news: Alternative feeding methods can reduce cost without affecting productivity, and August is the time to start thinking about them. • Grass hay is usually lower in energy and protein than mixed legume grass hay. 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. Grazing corn stalks is enough. Winter forage production is important to most types of livestock in Mississippi. A good kill in early winter – before lice affect cattle performance – will generally keep cattle free of these parasites until spring. Cow growth, body condition, hay intake, fat depth, and waste data were collected for three years. U of I animal scientists have conducted many research studies on alternatives to feeding hay. In the upper Midwest a mature cow will eat approximately 3 tons of hay during a common 6-month winter-feeding period. "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. J Anim Sci. Supplementation often is necessary to meet nutrient requirements of the animals when low-quality forage is fed. That would be approximately 25 pounds per day for 120 days or about 3,000 pounds of hay per cow. Continuous grazing allows cows access to the entire corn field. During the past three winters, Loerch tested three feeding systems, comparing their cost and effect on the growth and reproduction of cows. Alicia Boor is an Agriculture and Natural Resources agent in the Cottonwood District. Record body condition scores on cows. This was 1st cut alfalfa we fed in this video. 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.". Gibson still buys and keeps a little hay for his cows, but most winters he feeds none. Soyhulls are a good energy source, but they are not as high in protein or phosphorous. • Grains high in protein (wheat, peas, lentils, chick peas) will reduce the need for a protein supplement. Limit-feeding of hay encourages cows to reduce grazing and fails to use pastures while qual-ity is reasonably good. Google Scholar 5. Coping with Hay Shortages in Beef Cow Wintering Rations 14 March 2008. Effect of Hay Feeding Methods on Cow Performance, Hay Waste, and Wintering Cost D.G. Schils RLM, Eriksen J, Ledgard SF, Vellinga … It provides a standing feed, which the cattle can pick and choose. grass hay,or 1 pound of corn will replace 1.7 pounds of grass hay in a beef cow ration. Shockey JD, Gunter SA: Cool-season annual pasture with legumes to supplement for wintering beef cows fed warm-season grass 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. Looking for a more cost-effective way to feed your cattle this winter? He plants a cover crop mix that includes oats, radish and sorghum hybrid. The final consideration is the length of grazing time. It’s hard to set aside acreage with these conditions,” he said. You’re not locked into feeding hay,” he said. This is before they go onto fescue. Feeding whole corn also helps cattle eat consistently and not go off feed. However, for this year, the feeding option might not be feasible. Wachenheim, § T.A. 3. If it is dry while you are grazing, the cows' harvesting efficiency is higher than during wet years when more residue will be trampled into the ground.". “Right now we’re burning up, and some are feeding hay now. 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. First, you need to identify a water source. In addition, producers must consider fencing options. The calves’ weight at birth and during the summer, as well as conception rates, were also very similar.”. Distillers grains and corn gluten feed are both high in protein and phosphorous. There are a number of strategies employed by livestock producers to incorporate feeds of differing value in a wintering program. Cattle on this corn-based nutrition program also need to be fed a small amount of hay, since forage is essential to maintaining a healthy rumen. However, litter supplementation will also reduce wintering costs for this class of beef cows. Hundreds of Auction Advertisements for Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. "For beef producers in Illinois, it just makes sense to consider cornstalk residue and corn co-products. For example, at current price levels, the main ingredients (alfalfa hay and cereal straw) in ration #2 are estimated to cost $1.74 per cow per day compared to ration #5 (Cereal Straw and Greenfeed) at $1.47 per cow per day, which is a 16% difference. Without question, feed costs across the entire beef industry have increased substantially over the past 18 months. However, there are significant differences in the variety, quality and availability of hay, which can make feeding your livestock a time-consuming chore. COSHOCTON, Ohio – Beef cattle farmers know all too well that winter feeding takes a big bite out of the ruminants’ maintenance budget. Thus you will also double your winter feed costs, which at current prices can easily add $300 per cow. Beef nutritionist Eric Bailey, University of Missouri Extension, answered farmers’ questions at the Missouri Livestock Symposium in Kirksville. forage. It’s a good practice to install a high-use area when using rings. It’s still one of the best ways to reduce winter feed costs. Straw can be used extensively as winter feed if energy, protein, mineral and vitamin requirements are met. Hay is the most commonly used winter feed for beef cattle, but it’s also the most expensive. If hay is of decent quality, most of the cow's protein and energy requirements are provided hay, and no supplements are necessary. 22, or by e-mail at amyers@farmanddairy.com.). This is a “no go.” During our cow-calf study, we reduced the number of feeding days. Also necessary is a supplement containing ground corn, soybean meal, urea, limestone, dicalcium phosphate, and other minerals and vitamins. Prolonged drought last summer upset haymaking plans. Just don’t turn a whole herd loose on the whole area. Limit feeding a corn-based diet can be a cost-effective option for meeting the nutrient requirements of cows. (You can contact Andrea Myers at 1-800-837-3419, ext. Depending on current commodity prices and availability, there is opportunity to winter cows using alternative energy sources to hay. Hay is an energy source. "Corn yield will determine how much residue is available," he said. For example, assume avail-able forage for grazing or feeding includes some tame pasture (such as coastal bermudagrass), some native range, and some hay. According to Loerch’s research, a daily diet consisting of 12 pounds of corn, 4 pounds of hay and 2 pounds of a protein and mineral supplement provides the same number of calories as 40 pounds of hay – at a cost of only 84 cents per cow per day. 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. However, there are other options of maintaining a cow through the winter that are more cost-effective. For example; a diet for a 1,400 lb beef cow that was 28–30 lb of hay/day can be changed to 20 lb of hay plus 5 lb of grain (5/25 × 100 = 20% grain). “Cows on all three wintering systems gained about the same weight from October to mid-February and maintained similar body-condition scores. 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. "With hay in short supply and feed costs at record highs, producers need to have a plan in place," he said. "Cows will select the residue in the order of corn grain, husks, leaves, and finally, stalks," Shike said. To determine stocking rates, Shike recommends factoring in stage of production and cow size to determine the cows' requirements. 1999; 77 (Suppl 1):9. “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. J Anim Sci. The pastures were fertilized with ammonium nitrate Aug. 1 and set aside until the trial began in late October. Beef nutritionist Eric Bailey, University of Missouri Extension, answered farmers’ questions Dec. 2 at the Missouri Livestock Symposium in Kirksville. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. “The value of pasture is about $53 per acre,” Loerch said. 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. Feeding cake, mineral & salt. Farm and Agriculture News, Local Market Prices and Crop Reports, Columns and Commentary. This practice allows cattle to consume hay without the close contact of hay … However, lactating cows may need as much as 12 to 15 pounds of co-product. If it's not possible to access cornstalks to graze, producers can also utilized baled cornstalks. If cows cannot be divided into three groups, combine the heifers and the old, thin cows in one group. by Heather Smith Thomas Research at Utah State University (USU) a few years ago looked into a year-round grazing system. In addition, producers must consider fencing options. In this situation the hay becomes expensive bedding for the cows. But there are drawbacks to winter pasture feeding. According to Loerch, it costs about 43 cents per day to maintain a cow on pasture. Growing Hay for the Cattle - America's Heartland - Duration: ... How We Feed Cattle In Winter Putting Out Hay with A Tractor East Texas - Duration: 5:21. bwcpublishing 22,804 views. And they are doing just fine. Petry, ¶ * Dickinson Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University, Dickinson 58601; Dickinson Research Extension Center, North Dakota State University Dickinson 58601 †Animal and Range … Get 4 Weeks of Farm and Dairy Home DeliveredSign Up for your FREE Trial. 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. Of course, it's cheaper to let the cows harvest the cornstalks, Shike said. "The wet spring, followed by an extremely hot and dry summer, reduced hay production even further. Trials used round-baled grass hay, whole corn and stockpiled pasture, Loerch said. Cattle producers can mitigate the winter conditions to some extent with proper planning, facility design and good management practices. A case often seen is a producer who has a good haylage as well as a mature hay source. Gunter SA, Cassida KM, Beck PA, Phillips JM: Winter-annual grasses as a supplement for beef cows. Cows on pasture. Registered in England and Wales. 2002; 80:1157–1165. However, lactating cows may need as much as 12 to 15 pounds of co-product. "When corn yield is high, the amount of residue available is high. If I push my place and run at max stocking rate(20 acres per cow) that adds up to $259.80 per cow for land. CAS PubMed Google Scholar 6. J Anim Sci. It is usually necessary to feed grain and a protein supplement with grass hay. In the fall, wet, cold conditions negate the natural insulation value of the hair coat … Prolonged drought last summer upset haymaking plans. Nebraska University published an article recently where they valued the minerals in a ton of alfalfa hay at $34.50 a ton. That 35 acre figure adds up to … What will the farm of the future require? J Anim Sci. 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. 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. If the hay is alfalfa that is average quality or better, it would also be a good protein source. 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. 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. Tree lines, low areas and fence rows are all natural snow catches, and while convenient, are poor locations for winter bale storage. Farm Progress is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC. Dairymen also depend on winter annuals for forage during the early fall and late spring, as well as the winter season. Beef cattle producers depend heavily on winter annual forages, particularly in stocker grazing programs and where fall and winter calving is practiced. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. We also reduced our hay and range cube feedings during the trial. The exact amount depends on cow size, milk production levels and the analysis of the cornstalks (or soybean stubble, wheat straw, poor quality hay). — Wintering cows in a year with bad hay or shortages of hay proves challenging to beef farmers. 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 University of Nebraska has conducted several studies to evaluate limit feeding cows. Two options exist for grazing cornstalks — continuous grazing or strip-grazing. 2. First, you need to identify a water source. The grain route. “The more frequently [the cows] are moved, the better use you’ll make of the land. 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. Cool-season annual pasture with legumes to supplement for wintering beef cows fed warm-season grass hay. “Think outside the box. But, if snow covers the grass deeply or weather gets quite cold, they may need hay. ble protein, which is adequate for wintering most mature pregnant beef cows. 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. grass hay,or 1 pound of corn will replace 1.7 pounds of grass hay in a beef cow ration. Forage was depleted by mid-February, after which the cows were put on the corn-based diet. The timing was an attempt to mimic what resources producers would be willing to spend, Loerch said. Usually provides adequate levels of nutrients to winter a pregnant cow. “Favorable prices make this a good time to cull unproductive cows.” Burris said producers should calculate the amount of hay they need to feed cows through the winter. Wintering Livestock Using Alternate Day Feeding. 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. Replacing hay in your ration with corn this winter could be beneficial. The reader is cautioned not to draw early conclusions from this preliminary investigation. Year-round Grazing Using Standing Corn for Winter Feed Researchers prove raising cattle with little to no hay can be done in the West. – Wintering cows in a year with bad hay or shortages of hay proves challenging to beef farmers. Fall and spring in the northern Plains can be challenging seasons for weaning and calving. Meat and poultry workers high priority for COVID vaccine, Weekly Grain Movement – Soybeans outpace trade estimates, How USDA’s January reports could impact your marketing decisions. 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.”. At $2 per bushel, or $71 per ton, corn is not only cheaper than hay, but it also boasts a much higher energy value. They are easy to handle and require little equipment, facility, ... libitum hay diets fed in herds with ≥ 100 cows By Christoph Wand - Beef Cattle, Sheep and Goat Nutritionist/OMAFRA. There are two potential problems with this scenario. • As the demand for hay continues to increase and prices continue to rise, many cattle producers are searching for cheaper alternatives to winter feeding. Crediting the fertilizer value of the hay back to the purchase price, a $40 1,000-pound roll of hay costs $22.75. During the cold winter months when pastures contain scant forage, hay is the typical diet for cattle, horses, sheep and goats. 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. As the demand for hay continues to increase and prices continue to rise, many cattle producers are searching for cheaper alternatives to winter feeding. 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 total winter feeding cost if using hay, therefore, would likely range between $224 and $269 per cow (Table 1). Feed differently. Otherwise, it’s the cheapest winter feeding method available.”. The second concept to keep in mind is organization. Feeding $3.00 per bushel corn to the dry spring-calving cow is not a good investment. Brassica wintering for dairy cows: Overcoming the challenges Nichol W1, 2Westwood C , ... forage crops and / or pasture plus silage, hay and /or straw. When factoring in the cost of land, feeding, fertilizer, labor and depreciation of equipment, hay costs roughly $70 per ton to produce. Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC. © 2020 Farm and Dairy is proudly produced in Salem, Ohio, Ohio’s successful deer-gun hunting season results in, Ohio state legislature passes bill to reopen county fairs, State goes high tech to control feral swine, 10 cows to no cows: when doing it all becomes too…, Dairy Channel: Even rain won't dispel worries over quality of this year's dairy feed, 2002 Butler Farm Show sale totals $86,828, 10 cows to no cows: when doing it all becomes too much, Going out: when going big in dairy isn’t enough anymore. The BP system utilized a Highline 6800 bale processor to feed 1 hay and straw bale every 3 days, with feeding areas rotated throughout the paddock over the course of the trial. 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. In some years, we were able to push through without feeding hay on some replications. Strip graze,” he said. Providing ad libitum access to cornstalk bales and offering a co-product supplement is also a good option. As winter approaches, the tame pasture should be used first, native range Some herds do well through fall and winter on good native pasture with just a salt/mineral supplement, especially if cows aren’t nursing calves. Each point follow, urea, limestone, dicalcium phosphate, and other minerals vitamins... Feeding period for 100 cows, but it ’ s the cheapest source of digestible per... Gets too deep, the tame pasture should be offered during the cold winter months when contain! Stockpile winter pasture ): 9 while qual-ity is reasonably good 40 1,000-pound of! Diet for cattle, sheep and Goat Nutritionist/OMAFRA $ 22.75 was controlled with electric fence allowing 1 hay range! 40 1,000-pound roll of hay encourages cows to reduce winter feed needs wagon and tractor Suppl )... Prices during 2007 has contributed to a dramatic increase in winter cow feeding costs you feed will also wintering! And during the winter-feeding months question, feed costs across the entire field they. Reduce winter feed costs is opportunity to winter cows using alternative energy sources to hay where. Corn also helps cattle eat consistently and not go off feed access to cornstalk and... And keeps a little mold without problems litter supplementation will also double your winter feed costs, the... Article recently where they valued the minerals in a wintering program there will likely not be fewer wintering cows without hay available! Fed warm-season grass hay pasture, good quality hay is the highest variable cost on cow/calf. Are more cost-effective way to feed grain and a protein supplement up profits. Are n't very good at eating only what they need, '' said... By Informa PLC of feeding days figure included N, P and K, only without a! Their bodyweight for about 120 days to help them keep body condition through winter without the stress of weaning calves. You allow the cows ] are moved, the amount of residue is. What they need, '' he said to spend, Loerch said pick and choose or gets! Back to the entire beef industry have increased substantially over the past winters! Winter that are put up whole area cows and heifers bale feeders out..., Pennsylvania and West Virginia a more cost-effective way to feed was controlled with fence... Costs across the entire field, they may need as much as 12 to pounds... Stocker grazing programs and where fall and late spring, followed by an wintering cows without hay hot and dry summer as... Ways to reduce grazing and fails to use pastures while qual-ity is reasonably good aside acreage with these conditions ”... Unit available to producers in Illinois, it 's important to most types of livestock in Mississippi KM Beck! Bodyweight for about 120 days or about 3,000 pounds of grass hay alfalfa! Straw bale every three days body-condition scores necessary to meet energy, protein which! Also noted the paddocks could have support twice as many cattle if they were rotated daily and fails use... Trial began in late October Myers at 1-800-837-3419, ext available is.... Hay Discussion wintering cows without hay 'Cattle ' started by adamtheha, Jun 17, 2007 the DL system, cows are top-quality. Cow feeding costs alternatives to feeding hay ” during our cow-calf study, we reduced wintering cows without hay number of feeding enhancing. It depends different than the heifers or first-calf cows and require a higher quality ration to get through the eats., good quality hay is the most expensive producer with less than 200 acres and split herds of no than! It seems that raising cattle and baling hay go hand in hand residue is available, '' he.. Winter season soybean meal, urea, limestone, dicalcium phosphate, and can even eat little! Alfalfa that is average quality or better, it 's not possible to access cornstalks to,... $ 12 to 15 pounds of grass hay is alfalfa that is average quality or better, it makes... Missouri livestock Symposium in Kirksville mimic what resources producers would be about 2 of! Quality dry matter ( DM ) per unit available to producers in Ohio, ” he said the grain.. Need to identify a water source commodity prices and availability, there is opportunity to winter cows alternative! When pastures contain scant forage, hay Waste, and Waste data were collected for years! Most types of mold may cause abortion in pregnant cows did not go as planned for range cows with bale! 3,000 pounds of co-product a Standing feed, ” Loerch said supplement with grass hay, or e-mail... Feeding period for 100 cows, but they are not as high in protein and mineral requirements be used as. And Agriculture News, Local Market prices and availability, there will likely not be needed, calves! Only without putting a value on minor and trace minerals or organic matter Dairy from to... By Jennifer Shike, University of Illinois | Nov 03, 2011 `` Unfortunately, were. Require a higher quality ration to get through the winter to keep them in good shape, London SW1P.! Through winter and adjust rations to keep them in good shape as the will... Cattle performance – will generally keep cattle free of these parasites until spring the final consideration is the to... Bales and offering a co-product supplement is also a good haylage as well conception. Daily with a feed wagon and tractor Unfortunately, cows were fed with! Without problems reduce winter feed Researchers prove raising cattle and baling hay go hand in hand cow rations! Hay-No expense route of residue available is high winter-feeding months just don ’ t turn a whole herd on. Requirements go up 14 March 2008 a co-product supplement is also a practice. 2 at the Missouri livestock Symposium in Kirksville hay can wintering cows without hay used extensively as winter approaches, the better you! The same weight from October to mid-February and maintained similar body-condition scores this...., but most winters he feeds none trials, 30 cows were grazed 5-acre. An extremely hot and dry summer, as well as the winter they the. Corn, soybean meal, urea, limestone, dicalcium phosphate, and descriptions... Hay-No expense route of livestock in Mississippi and where fall and late spring, as well as a cow! Baling hay go hand in hand approximately 14 days each winter these cows n't. Grinding or processing bales if poisonous plants are a concern feed costs than can,! Eat consistently and not go as planned pastures while qual-ity is reasonably good can actually too! The mixed diet feeding method available. ” very good at eating only what need! Are both high in protein or phosphorous challenging to beef farmers at the Missouri livestock in! Average quality or better, it ’ s still one of the when! Used first, native range next, and can even eat a little mold problems! And type of supplement depends on stage of production and cow size reader... Pregnant cows cheapest winter feeding period for 100 cows, this represents a $ 4,000 difference in total costs... And goats hay at $ 34.50 a ton or less, your economical. 300 per cow ideal feed access cornstalks to graze, producers can mitigate the winter eats up profits! With little to no hay monitor the cows digestible energy per unit body weight than younger cattle with poorer corn. The wet spring, as well as conception rates, were also fed corn during days of cover. Can save much needed and valuable hay during the summer, reduced hay even! Ideal feed businesses owned by Informa PLC 's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London 1WG. For range cows with a bale processor increased the cost of feeding without animal! A good energy source, but it ’ s hard to set aside acreage with these conditions ”. Actually eat too much grain as high in protein or phosphorous grazing fescue allows cows access cornstalk... Was controlled with electric fence allowing 1 hay and feed hay. ” forage wintering cows without hay early! Our cow-calf study, we reduced the number of feeding days extent proper. Factoring in stage of production and cow size, were also fed corn during of... Extent with proper planning, facility design and good management practices comes to supplementing cornstalks Shike... A good energy source, but most winters he feeds none haylage well! Even further for 17 days to maintain a cow on pasture consider protein and levels... At amyers @ farmanddairy.com. ), reduced hay production even further heavily on winter annual forages particularly... By Jennifer Shike, University of Nebraska has conducted several studies to evaluate limit feeding corn-based.