Hay vs Hay & Feed

[aplusmnt]

Doing some winter feeding figuring. Got a couple scenarios, would like opinion on.

First I do not know the TDN of either hay at this time, but will assume the Bermuda is higher than the crabgrass.

1. Feed Bermuda hay that should have acceptable TDN to not need supplement. At $45.00 per round bale.

2. Feed Crabgrass hay (will assume it is little low in TDN, at $30.00 per bale. and then supplement with 5lbs of feed (corn, soybean) per day.

Assuming you use (in our area) 3 round bales per cow for winter. Crabgrass would offer a savings of say $15.00 per Month. I think I could feed the corn and soybean at say around 40 cents per day for 5lbs.

Making the Crabgrass and Corn come in at $42.00 for an average month vs $45.00 for Bermuda only.

 

[backhoeboogie]

If you choose crab grass, I think I'd go with the syrup tubs in leiu of feed.

 

[dun]

What's your increased labor worth? The good part about hand feeding the supplement is you can adjust it if you go with poorer quality hay, the bad part is the extra labor and storage. The liquid supplemtns, I like Mix30, don;t take the labor or storage, but you can;t monitor if you happen to have a pig in the bunch that over eats the stuff.

dun

 

[backhoeboogie]

you can;t monitor if you happen to have a pig in the bunch that over eats the stuff.

dun

Excellent point again Dun. I also have to be concerned with real pigs, as in the real McCoys.

 

[arkcowman]

Is your supplemental feed cost subject to go up during the winter feeding season or are you able to purchase enough to last the winter feeding season ?

 

[aplusmnt]

To answer a couple questions.

I do not mind the extra labor, due to the fact it is small herd and I like them coming up to eat in winter, saves me from driving through the woods checking on them.

Thought the nice thing with grain over liquid was that I could change things based on weather and winter severity a little more. But I am open to all suggestions, I do not know much about liquid and what it takes to get set up in it.

Cost could go up a little but figured at worst it would be the same as Bermuda.

Mostly I am interested in knowing just how much energy would around 5lb's of feed add to the nutrition of a Cow. Would it make up for some pretty bad hay?

 

[gabby]

To answer a couple questions.

Mostly I am interested in knowing just how much energy would around 5lb's of feed add to the nutrition of a Cow. Would it make up for some pretty bad hay?

When I have to feed bad hay I also give them 24% protein molasses blocks. I don't use molasses blocks when I'm feeding good hay. Never have used grain.
gabby

 

[SPRINGER FARMS MURRAY GRE]

I use a range meal with 15% protein free choice. It also has the minerals,and a salt limiter.You can also get the "medicated" if you desire. I have gotten better results with this than the protein molasses tubs. ;-) :cboy:

 

[john250]

Cost could go up a little but figured at worst it would be the same as Bermuda.

Mostly I am interested in knowing just how much energy would around 5lb's of feed add to the nutrition of a Cow. Would it make up for some pretty bad hay?

If you need energy in a ration, I think it is hard to beat corn.

 

[SPRINGER FARMS MURRAY GRE]

Cost could go up a little but figured at worst it would be the same as Bermuda.

Mostly I am interested in knowing just how much energy would around 5lb's of feed add to the nutrition of a Cow. Would it make up for some pretty bad hay?

If you need energy in a ration, I think it is hard to beat

corn.

I put out a little corn gluten as a treat and to keep them coming up. ;-) :cboy:

 

[Angus Guy]

The corn for energy is fine just don't overdo it. 5# with fair to good quality hay might get them to fat. I would only go that high if it gets real cold (10 degrees or colder).

 

[aplusmnt]

The corn for energy is fine just don't overdo it. 5# with fair to good quality hay might get them to fat. I would only go that high if it gets real cold (10 degrees or colder).

That was what I was thinking, Kind of tweak it based on how my fescue is doing and how bad the winter is.

If we have a mild winter I can save more money, I was figuring based on a bad winter and worse scenario

Hopefully the Crabgrass will have good TDN and will not have to supplement none at all.

Kind of thinking though that as hard hit as hay is around here, and the fact I buy all my hay. And with no rain good TDN hay might be hard for me to find compared to last year. So looking at Plan B.

I prefer to feed only hay, and do not want to get my cows to fat.