milo hay

[papavillars]

I saw an advertisement for some milo hay. I have never fed milo. Is milo comparable to average coastal. I was thinking come winter i would put out two coastal and one milo if it is comparable.

 

[TexasBred]

I saw an advertisement for some milo hay. I have never fed milo. Is milo comparable to average coastal. I was thinking come winter i would put out two coastal and one milo if it is comparable.

Papa some of it can be pure junk and some can be excellent. I've actually tested some stalks that were over 12% crude protein. Given a choice the cattle will eat the maize stalks first and look at the coastal like "what the he&& is this??) And it's usually $10-15 a roll cheaper than coastal hay and the bales usually will weigh well over 2000 lbs.

 

[papavillars]

TB, thanks, this farmer said I could come by and take a few stalks or even a roll and have it tested. He said if it tested as high as it should he just wants me to spread the word. It is sure hot and dry. My cows spend half a day grazing and half a day standing in the ponds.

 

[TexasBred]

Mine graze a little early and a little late then mostly at night. Most of the day is spend laying in the shade with one trip to the tank for water about 2 pm. One or two enjoy getting belly deep in the water.

 

[bird dog]

I fed Milo stalks last year that tested 8.7%. They were cheap enough that I could buy some protein tubs to go with them. The cows did well but the waste is high. Also make sure you read the topic about hay stacking as the milo seemed to rot more where ever it was touching another bale. I would feed them again if that is your best option.

 

[Brute 23]

We fed some during the drought last year. Its can be pretty decent if you feed it fast. Don't think you can store it for 6 months then feed it. They eat more if you roll it out IMO.

 

[mikegahr]

I'm not trying to turn this into an ad. but i'm baling milo hay right now for a farmer, I sent it off and had it tested for high nitrate level and it came with low nitrate but didn't test protien. I've been told that the nitrate level is what u need to worry about, I'm like TB i carried a bale of milo and a bale of straight bermuda to my cattle and they took a few bites of the grass hay then went straight to the milo and cleaned it up. I will have some for sale if anyone is interested just PM me and we will talk.

 

[mikegahr]

I forgot to say this isn't just stalk it is stalk with the head on a lot of it so there is also a lot of grain.

 

[upfrombottom]

I've never baled it personally, just wondering, do you cut it the same as you do hay? And how does it bale without thrashing out all the seed?

 

[mikegahr]

This is the first time baling with the heads on, I cut it with a mower/ cond. Where are u located, I'm in cross county.

 

[upfrombottom]

St. Francis Co. I was wondering because there is about 20 acres next to one of the hay fields I'm going to bale next week, that the farmer isn't going to cut because it didn't get enough rain to procuce. There are a few heads but not many. Wondered if it was feasable to inquire about baling it on shares.

 

[mikegahr]

U need to send a sample off and have it check for nitrate level to high in nitrate will kill a cow, ur county agent can send it to the U of A and it only cost $5.00

 

[Angus Cowman]

U need to send a sample off and have it check for nitrate level to high in nitrate will kill a cow, ur county agent can send it to the U of A and it only cost $5.00

Why wait and send it off order yourself a nitrate test kit and test it right in the fields they cost about 60-70bucks and you can do multiple test

 

[TexasBred]

I've never baled it personally, just wondering, do you cut it the same as you do hay? And how does it bale without thrashing out all the seed?

The grain in it is insignificant and a lot of it will pass thru the cow. If there was a huge amount of grain it it the farmer would have combined it first. There is usually some waste but no more it seems than when feeding grass hay. You just have to force them to clean it up before putting out more. If it's not stored inside it does tend to rot some on the bottom and you'll lose that just moving the bale but as I mentioned earlier the bales will usually weigh from 2000 lbs. up to 2300 so you can stand a little bit of waste. Storing in a barn is definitely best, and "in the barn on off the ground" is even better. The only time nitrates might be a problem would during a drought year. Most milo here in Texas got adequate rain, nitrogen was applied months ago and utilized so not a problem.