Chopping Hay

[novatech]

It would take some very extensive research to determine all those "what ifs". We're talking bacteria working in a microscopic environment. All I'm saying is that just because you see what appears to be a long piece of hay in the manure it does not mean that the digestible nutrients have not been completely utilized by the animal. What you're looking at would not have been digested even if it had been ground into dust particles. We're talking billions of bacteria and enzymes that live only hours yet multiply constantly. You may do a few things to maximize rumen health but that's about it. Chopping hay simply makes it easier for a cow to get a mouthful. Don't know if that would offset the expense of buying or making feedbunks or fenceline feeders or not.

Research; I don't know that you could find any. If there was it would no doubt be done by the people selling the grinders. If there had been any done that showed a positive I would think they would be all over it for marketing purposes. The fact the sellers don,t have any of this in their marketing ought to tell you something.
Like I said, cows grind their own feed. They come equipped.

 

[TexasBred]

I'm agreeing with you.

 

[novatech]

I'm agreeing with you.

"Ditto"

 

[jedstivers]

I can see the add now." X" breed of cattle are the cattle to have, they chew their cud longer.

 

[TexasBred]

I can see the add now." X" breed of cattle are the cattle to have, they chew their cud longer.

:lol2: :lol2: A new EPD perhaps. :shock:

 

[GMN]

the neighbor uses a bale processor to chop his hay only-silage bales-and alfalfa,a tub grinder mixer, needs at least a 100hsp tractor, and it grinds the hay, but you have tomix other feedstuff in with it to make a ration

 

[Stocker Steve]

A couple of years ago we were in drought, not as bad as this years but still drought. A couple of counties away a cattleman was buying cattle taking advantage of the prices because of sell outs. He bought hay, had it tested, ground it and added the proper protein and mineral. It was fed in bunks just like any feed lot system. The man made money.

Only reason to burn up time and fuel this way is that you have limited quantity and low quality and want to limit feed.
Cat tails or corn stalks may be just the ticket.

 

[TexasBred]

A couple of years ago we were in drought, not as bad as this years but still drought. A couple of counties away a cattleman was buying cattle taking advantage of the prices because of sell outs. He bought hay, had it tested, ground it and added the proper protein and mineral. It was fed in bunks just like any feed lot system. The man made money.

Only reason to burn up time and fuel this way is that you have limited quantity and low quality and want to limit feed.
Cat tails or corn stalks may be just the ticket.

Where have I been?? Completely forgot about the cat tails. :lol2:

 

[Stocker Steve]

Only reason to burn up time and fuel this way is that you have limited quantity and low quality and want to limit feed.
Cat tails or corn stalks may be just the ticket.

Where have I been?? Completely forgot about the cat tails. :lol2:[/quote]

Cattails are an awesome perennial crop. Much lower inputs that corn!!!

 

[1982vett]

Only reason to burn up time and fuel this way is that you have limited quantity and low quality and want to limit feed.
Cat tails or corn stalks may be just the ticket.

Where have I been?? Completely forgot about the cat tails. :lol2:

Cattails are an awesome perennial crop. Much lower inputs that corn!!![/quote]

But still have a fault of needing an abundance of moisture....

 

[BuffBeef]

Was reading this article, has an interesting mention on hay chopping in fourth paragraph from bottom..

http://www.thebeefsite.com/articles/1190/feeding-systems-for-beef-cows

 

[BuffBeef]

One more link on the subject:

http://www.producer.com/2013/06/chopped-hay-allows-more-digesting-bacteria/

Hmmm...may be worth a try! Just as long as the process doesn't cost more than the feed savings...