maximizing hay utilization - again

[angus9259]

There was a thread a while back about maximizing hay utilization. I was feeding round bales twice a week and calculating feed consumption at about 45 lbs/hd/day of hay. I've gone to putting out just what they need for a day to eat 25 - 30 lbs per head for dry cows. The waste is down quite a bit it seems and their condition is keeping up.

Wondering now . . . if I put out a 16% protein tub, will that help the overall hay utilization or will the hay demand go up even further?

 

[Limomike]

Not sure about the 16% product, but in the case of a 20% or up to a 36%, forage intake will likely increase. As I always heard, a higher protein product "burns their bellies" and makes them eat more hay. But I am not an expert on it. Only read alot, and watch what my cattle do.

 

[bandit80]

It depends on the quality of hay they are eating. If they are eating a high quality hay, a protein supplement will not increase intake. If they are eating a low quality hay, a protein supplement will definitely increase intake and utilization of the forage.

 

[angus9259]

It depends on the quality of hay they are eating. If they are eating a high quality hay, a protein supplement will not increase intake. If they are eating a low quality hay, a protein supplement will definitely increase intake and utilization of the forage.

So if cattle are keeping up on the hay in front of them, there is no reason to put out a protein supplement. Correct? The main reason to put out the protein supplement would be on low quality hay where the cattle were not keeping up, but it would add cost 1. for the supplement itself plus 2. the increased hay consumption. Do I have my thinking correct?

If they are keeping up on low quality hay, adding the protein supplement would invite the possibility of overconsumption and unnecessary weight gain. Right?

 

[dun]

So if cattle are keeping up on the hay in front of them, there is no reason to put out a protein supplement. Correct? The main reason to put out the protein supplement would be on low quality hay where the cattle were not keeping up, but it would add cost 1. for the supplement itself plus 2. the increased hay consumption. Do I have my thinking correct?

If they are keeping up on low quality hay, adding the protein supplement would invite the possibility of overconsumption and unnecessary weight gain. Right?

Correct on #1, not necesarrily on #2

 

[KNERSIE]

So if cattle are keeping up on the hay in front of them, there is no reason to put out a protein supplement. Correct?

Yes, but (there is always a but) it depends on the condition your cattle are in at the moment as well as what you can expect in terms of their condition fluctuations over the winter. If your cattle are thin now and historically they lose condition over the winter, the protein supplement might just be a cheaper way to better utelise the hay to add a bit of condition before it gets really cold. If they are in good condition now and historically they can maintain themselves on hay over the winter there is no reason for the protein supplement.

The purpose of the protein supplement is to feed the rumen microbes to create more favourable conditions for them, ultimately to increase the amount of rumen microbes. In turn the digestion of poor quality hay high in cellulose goes faster meaning the cow can consume more to meet her needs. Put very simply