How many bales?

[Brookman]

We've got ten Charolaise cow/calf pairs to feed this winter. Was wondering "about" how many 5X6 bales of grass hay to plan on per pair? We usually need to plan on feeding 100 days in the Ozarks, they claim. Last time we fed cows(back in the day) we used square bales, so I can't figure. 'Course, we'll grain a needed, too, just wondering about a round {uh oh ) }figure?
Thanks,
Kerry

 

[Bama]

I'd figure on about 10 tons. Course I also have fescue in the winter. And I would carry hay over at that much. I would rather carry hay over than to have to buy more in the winter. A lot of it depends on your winter grass. A round bale can weigh anywhere from about 1000 to 1300 in the normal range. Some are less and some are more. It depends on how tight it is rolled and how big it really is. Best thing to do is talk to someone local to your area, as they will know more about your climate.

 

[bigbull338]

id allow for feeding 10hd 60 round bales in a yr . scott

 

[Bama]

wow, I could feed 10 head for at least 2 years on 60 round bales. That just goes to show the differances in climate and winter grazing conditions.

 

[bigbull338]

bama in texas where i am with the pasture ive got i can carry 40hd on 60 bales for a yr. and have carry over hay to boot .i dont start haying tilldec at latest. quit haying in march. but everything depends on the weather. scott

 

[stocky]

Brookman, I am in sw missouri, so probably not too far from you. On the average, I figure with my fescue pasture I will have to full feed 110 days. Jan 1-April 10. The best 5x6 grass bales I have ever fed would feed 50 cows 1 day. The worst would feed 25 cows 1 day. Normally, I would say you should count on 1 5x6 bale feeding 35 cows one day. So, you should figure 1 bale will last your cattle 3 1/2 days. Figuring 110 days that will be 32 bales, plus you will probably need another 5 to keep before them while they are finishing up the grass in December. If you figure 37 bales, you will probably have hay left over. If the bales are 4x6, figure 1/4 more and if they are 4x5, figure almost double. So, if they are good 5x6 bales, you can figure it will take 3 1/2 bales per cow-calf pair for the winter in a normal year---if you dont have grass until the first of jan., add 1 bale per month per cow

 

[bwranch]

Whining about the lack of rain again. Agree about the 110 days normally, but this year I'm hedging my bets and planning on feeding 150 days, just because it's so stinking dry. Now's the time to buy when you can get it cheaper out of the field. Better to have too much and sell it in Fed - March than to try and buy in that same time frame.

Lee

 

[Dusty Britches]

I was told to figure 1.5 rounds per head for the winter. Start mid to late November and feed through March.

Of course, that's here in Texas.

 

[jt]

i figure a roll of hay per cow per month... and add a little for extra cold or wet times.,

jt

 

[dun]

You might want to check out this site. I've used it to estimate our hay requirements for 5-6 years and we've never run out and rarely have much left over.

http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/exten/cowculator/

dun

 

[flaboy]

I'd figure on about 10 tons. Course I also have fescue in the winter. And I would carry hay over at that much. I would rather carry hay over than to have to buy more in the winter. A lot of it depends on your winter grass. A round bale can weigh anywhere from about 1000 to 1300 in the normal range. Some are less and some are more. It depends on how tight it is rolled and how big it really is. Best thing to do is talk to someone local to your area, as they will know more about your climate.

I agree with Bama here. I figure feeding Dec-May. Our place is in a low area and frost really hurts our forage. Believe it or not it is not unusual to see mid to low 20's at our place. I have seen it 10 degree's. 10 miles away it will be 10-12 degree higher. Troughs frozen solid. I figure a ton per cow. Our bales are also 5x6 and weigh in at 1200-1500 depending on which field they came out of. To be on the safe side we usually figure two of these bales per cow. I expect that to go down this coming winter due to the fact that I will be planting rye grass this year probably around Oct-Nov.

We also feed liquid feed during the winter. I think since it will be your first time, go with 20-25 bales if they weigh in the 1200-1500 pound range.

 

[Lngvew]

Here in SouthCentral VA. I plan on feeding from Nov. 15 thru Apr.15 Dont always have to but best to have more than not enough. I run between 50 & 60 (Purebred Charolais, Red Angus & Char.x RA) head thru the winter and I average feeding 2 4x4 bales a day (fed 260 rolls this year, 190 last year), all depends on mother nature. They have some grazing but not enough to keep them in good shape by its self. I think I would plan on a min. of 50 5x6 rolls, You may have some left but are you sure that your not gonna get that 20" snow that stays on the ground a couple or 3 weeks? Again, I think its better to have it on hand that to have to find it with snow on the ground.