Traditional hay production is often economically inefficient.
Carson Roberts, Missouri extension state forage specialist, recently shared “10 Reasons You Should Quit Making Hay.” His point No. 10 encourages beef producers to think outside the box and consider winter feeding options that can significantly reduce production costs compared to putting up and feeding hay.
Roberts says he often hears people say, “Reducing hay sounds great, but you can’t starve weight onto a cow.”
He doesn’t disagree with the sentiment, but asks: “Why would you insist on feeding hay when stockpiled milo or tall fescue is often as good or better in forage quality than the average bale of fescue? Furthermore, these stockpiled forages can be produced for a fraction of the price.”
“A cow will do what she’s got to do to get her forage, and if she can’t do that for you, then what kind of cow is she anyways?”
For planning purposes, Roberts says hay feeding costs average $1.18 to $1.75 per day.
He suggests these five strategies that can potentially reduce winter feeding costs by more than half:
- Stockpiling fescue — This requires careful animal management, appropriate stocking rates and forward planning. Plan as early as May and June; set aside one-third to half of pasture for winter grazing. Reduces feed costs to 50 to 60 cents per day.
- Grazing milo — Roberts says standing milo can provide exceptionally cheap winter forage. It costs as low as 45 cents per day and can support 400 cow days per acre. “For example, a 120-bushel, 23-to-28-acre milo field can feed 100 cows for 100 days,” he explains.
- Corn stalk residue — Grazing corn stocks can be economically advantageous. Roberts says some farmers allow beef producers to graze stalks for free to improve subsequent crop yields. Minimal fencing costs may be needed.
- Native grass grazing — Another effective option for dry, pregnant females is grazing stockpiled native warm-season grass. Supplement with protein, which is cheaper than energy.
- Sorghum sudan grass — Roberts is currently researching using stockpiled sorghum sudan grass for winter grazing; a good-quality option, newer varieties with higher-leaf content.
Roberts summarizes the key to these strategies is forward planning, flexible stocking rates and matching cattle needs with available forage.
He stresses calving timing is an important factor. He recommends late spring or fall calving to align with forage supply.
“You should be calving during the times of the year when forage is cheap and abundant,” he says. “The key is matching cattle production cycles with forage availability. Winter calving — January and February — makes hay feeding nearly unavoidable.”
Roberts reminds producers to develop a drought management plan, emphasizing the need for flexible stocking rates. He advises that it’s often more economical to sell excess animals during drought years than to purchase or make expensive hay.
“Remember, hay is most expensive to make when yields are low, and hay yields are usually low during a drought,” he says. “Producers should monitor forage conditions and be prepared to destock before regional price drops occur.”
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