Feed Question

[DiamondY42]

For a 1100 lb., 6.5 mo. preg. cow, living in NW North Dakota...
How many Lbs. of hay would you feed her per day?
Is it 1100 lbs. X 2% of her body weight just for maintanence?
Course I realize she'd need a bit more in Colder weather.
Just wanting a good ball park estimate.

Thanx in advance for the advice!!!

 

[cross_7]

it depends on the quality of the hay.
is it #1 alfalfa or prairie grass hay ?
are you feeding any grain ?
does she have shelter available ?
it's more about getting the proper nutrition and not so much as to how many pounds of hay,
but yes ballpark figure 2-3 % of her weight per day depending weather and quality of hay and less if your
feeding alfalfa or feeding supplement.
but mostly watch her body condition.

 

[mnmtranching]

If your hay is poor to medium quality give her all she wants now until the calf is weaned. Cold climate out there and she is in her 3rd trimester.

 

[cross_7]

your question made curious as to how much hay you could replace with grain and i found this.
hope it helps
http://www.ext.vt.edu/news/periodicals/ ... s-905.html

 

[TexasBred]

your question made curious as to how much hay you could replace with grain and i found this.
hope it helps
http://www.ext.vt.edu/news/periodicals/ ... s-905.html

Grain and protein mixes are actually never "hay replacers"....only supplements IF needed.

 

[Limomike]

For a 1100 lb., 6.5 mo. preg. cow, living in NW North Dakota...
How many Lbs. of hay would you feed her per day?
Is it 1100 lbs. X 2% of her body weight just for maintanence?
Course I realize she'd need a bit more in Colder weather.
Just wanting a good ball park estimate.

Thanx in advance for the advice!!!

You should be feeding a preg cow at least 17-20lbs of "high quality" hay each day. no less.

 

[cross_7]

Grain and protein mixes are actually never "hay replacers"....only supplements IF needed

http://www.uaex.edu/other_areas/publica ... a-3036.pdf

 

[TexasBred]

Grain and protein mixes are actually never "hay replacers"....only supplements IF needed

http://www.uaex.edu/other_areas/publica ... a-3036.pdf

cross...not argueing against supplementation. I supplement every winter. Just stating that grain does not replace hay regardless of what articles you post. You can balance a ration using both which might be more cost effective and a better feed, but grain is grain and hay is hay.

 

[cross_7]

cross...not argueing against supplementation. I supplement every winter. Just stating that grain does not replace hay regardless of what articles you post. You can balance a ration using both which might be more cost effective and a better feed, but grain is grain and hay is hay.

i agree, but i was surprised at how little hay could be fed and replaced with such a large amount of grain.
seems like you would have digestive problems ?

 

[TexasBred]

cross...not argueing against supplementation. I supplement every winter. Just stating that grain does not replace hay regardless of what articles you post. You can balance a ration using both which might be more cost effective and a better feed, but grain is grain and hay is hay.

i agree, but i was surprised at how little hay could be fed and replaced with such a large amount of grain.
seems like you would have digestive problems ?

Cross....grain "can" be fed at high rates but should it be??? A lot of factors come into play when trying to decide "should I supplement and IF so, how much and what is the composition of the supplement??". And yes, there are a number of problems associated with overfeeding grain and the study touched on these as well. Build your feeding program around your roughage source making sure a minimum of 40% of the cow's diet is hay, silage, grazing or all of these and supplement as neccessary to maintain a "balanced ration".