Feeding low-quality hay

This year, wet weather has many producers putting up hay much later in the season than normal. A late harvest date means grasses have already produced seed heads and are rapidly declining in forage nutrient value. While having even low quality hay on hand for winter feed is better than none, producers will need to consider the challenges of meeting cattle nutrient requirements this winter.

During a normal year, hay harvest starts in late June or early July when quality is generally higher at over 10 percent crude protein and greater than 50 percent total digestible nutrients. The higher quality is due to a higher leaf to stem ratio, as leaves are higher in protein and energy. A delay in cutting and harvesting until late-July or August can have a negative impact on quality. Stems and seedheads are lower in protein and energy, so as grasses mature later into the season forage quality declines. For many this year, haying season was delayed into August or even into September, when grasses are “stemmy” and fully matured. Further impacting hay quality was the exceptional rainfall itself. In wet years, forages tend to grow more rapidly and mature quicker, which may decrease overall forage quality and require additional supplementation to meet cow nutrient requirements.

It is important for producers to react to a cow’s changing nutrient requirements depending on if the cow is lactating or stage of gestation. For example, a 1,200-pound gestating cow may need 1.5 pounds CP daily in its diet to maintain body condition. Compare that with a 1,200 pound lactating cow that may need 3 pound CP per day. The crude protein requirements will vary for each animal depending on a cow’s weight and pounds of milk produced. It is important to understand cow weights and milk production in a herd, for a producer to balance nutrient requirements without over or underfeeding.

With most management decisions, the more information we have to plan the better outcome we can achieve, and for a livestock producer that would include having harvested feed analyzed. Sample hay according to lots, typically less than 100 ton of hay that is grouped by bales of the same forage type, harvested in the same area, and harvested at a similar time. Take multiple samples per lot (15 to 20 round bales should be adequate) and use a mechanical probe to core and collect a sample (15 to 20 cores). Detailed instructions on how to properly sample hay can be found in the “Sampling Feed for Analysis” NebGuide # G331.

If available forage or harvested feedstuff does not meet the protein needs of the animal, supplementing protein from other sources would be the next step. Common methods many producers use to provide protein are lick tubs and range cubes. Alternative feedstuffs can be utilized to meet protein needs and may be a more cost effective option if proper storage sites and feeding equipment are available. Examples may include dried distillers grains, cottonseed meal, sunflower meal, and canola meal. To decrease supplemental costs, producers should price supplements on a dollar per pound of CP basis rather than dollar per ton basis. The “Buying Supplements” article covers how to make direct comparisons of supplements.

For those wanting more information on balancing low-quality hay and protein supplementation options, workshops on “Feeding Your Cows with Low Quality Hay” will be held in the northcentral and northeastern part of the state this fall:

• Nov. 19­—Fullerton; 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Contact Mariah Woolsoncroft 308-536-2691;
• Dec. 4—Hartington; 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Contact Ben Beckman 402-254-6821; and
• Dec. 6—Brewster; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CST. Contact Bethany Johnson at 308-645-2267 or [email protected].

Workshops will cost $15 per person with a Ranch Discount of $10 per person for groups of three or more. Attendees are encouraged to bring in their own feed or hay analysis to discuss and interpret. A meal is provided so please RSVP one week prior.

Interviews with the authors of BeefWatch newsletter articles become available throughout the month of publication and are accessible at go.unl.edu/podcast.