Bad hay or picky cows?

[tom4018]

Got some hay that cows are just not eating. It looks ok, has decent color although it was a little too mature I know of lots of hay cut later. It tested at 10% protein but only 71 RFV. Any suggestions on making them eat it, because if they don't I will be close on hay.

 

[Bigfoot]

I'm gonna be close on hay, so I've been getting 12 bales a week over at the hay auction. I hadn't bought any yet, that mine were crazy about eating. I'm setting it to the side, and I'll feed it when the green up starts.

 

[tom4018]

I'm gonna be close on hay, so I've been getting 12 bales a week over at the hay auction. I hadn't bought any yet, that mine were crazy about eating. I'm setting it to the side, and I'll feed it when the green up starts.

What has it been selling for there?

 

[M-5]

Put out liquid supplement. It will make them eat it.

 

[tom4018]

Put out liquid supplement. It will make them eat it.

How does it affect hay consumption? How is it different that protein tubs? I have fed tubs before but no liquid, not sure if liquid is a good option for me.

 

[JMJ Farms]

Regardless of the quality, if they get hungry they will eat it. M5 is right about the liquid supplement.

 

[M-5]

I'm sure it's available in your area. I assume it's the high protein in it that makes them eat poor hay. I know folks that buy the cheapest hay they can get and supplement with syrup and they eat every stem of it.

 

[M-5]

I've used southern states liq with good results . here is a national company its cheaper than tubs also.
.
.https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source= ... 81l1OCrH0Q

 

[Bigfoot]

I'm gonna be close on hay, so I've been getting 12 bales a week over at the hay auction. I hadn't bought any yet, that mine were crazy about eating. I'm setting it to the side, and I'll feed it when the green up starts.

What has it been selling for there?

My dad goes over there for me, but I'm assuming he buys the cheaper rolls. I've paid from $18-to about $27 I think. I heard him say some went for $75. Not sure what the hay was.

 

[JMJ Farms]

I'm sure it's available in your area. I assume it's the high protein in it that makes them eat poor hay. I know folks that buy the cheapest hay they can get and supplement with syrup and they eat every stem of it.

Don't know if it's fact or fiction but I was always told that the syrup burns the cows stomach a little and they eat to relieve the burning. ? I do know that it will make them eat the bark off of trees if there's nothing else.

 

[Brute 23]

Put out liquid supplement. It will make them eat it.

How does it affect hay consumption? How is it different that protein tubs? I have fed tubs before but no liquid, not sure if liquid is a good option for me.

Protein tub will work. It's mainly the molasses that makes them want roughage but the protein probably won't hurt in your situation either.

 

[hillbilly beef man]

Let them get a little hungrier. They will eat it.

 

[Craig Miller]

I've always said that too but they've proved me wrong this year. I got some they won't touch not matter how many days I let it sit. I have been putting the ones they will eat on beside and on top of the others just hoping they will eat some of it when it gets all mixed together.

 

[Banjo]

Got some hay that cows are just not eating. It looks ok, has decent color although it was a little too mature I know of lots of hay cut later. It tested at 10% protein but only 71 RFV. Any suggestions on making them eat it, because if they don't I will be close on hay.

I've heard they don't like orchardgrass if its baled to mature or gotten rained on.....

 

[Bigfoot]

I meant to take a picture of a roll of hay this morning, but I was in a rush. They've eat 70 plus rolls of hay, while this hay roll was sitting in the field. It's had a little of the center eaten out of it. I finally took the hay ring off of it, and hoped they'd bed on it, but they never did.

 

[tom4018]

I meant to take a picture of a roll of hay this morning, but I was in a rush. They've eat 70 plus rolls of hay, while this hay roll was sitting in the field. It's had a little of the center eaten out of it. I finally took the hay ring off of it, and hoped they'd bed on it, but they never did.

Got some like that myself, I rolled some out and they have picked on that a little and bedded on it. Probably got 50 rolls or so of this that they are not eating. Worried that I may not get thru winter if I can't use some of it.

 

[Bigfoot]

Wouldn't help a poor boy like me, but my neighbor has a grinder. He's grinding some pretty common hay. Some looks like mostly weeds. They are eating it up.

 

[tom4018]

Wouldn't help a poor boy like me, but my neighbor has a grinder. He's grinding some pretty common hay. Some looks like mostly weeds. They are eating it up.

Heard of people doing that, one I know put some distillers with it. What is you neighbor putting with it?

 

[Bigfoot]

Not one thing, I went over there to see it yesterday. Just taking the strings off, and grinding. This looked like crp hay to.

 

[TexasBred]

Regardless of the quality, if they get hungry they will eat it. M5 is right about the liquid supplement.

Especially if it's 10% protein. I'd let them get hungry.