Does anyone here give their mama cows more than just hay in the winter, whether it be corn, dry feed, silage, etc, especially if you are expecting them to be bred in the winter months? From my own experience, hay keeps them alive and looking good, but is it enough for top notch nutrition during the winter?
More than hay in winter?
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Randi
Well-known member
Generally we just feed hay. Depending on the year we may also have 'Greenfeed' (crop such as oats or barley that is cut before it ripens). We very rarely feed any grain to the cow herd, and that includes our bred heifers. If we have a problem animal, we may keep it in and supplement with grain.
If your cows go into winter in reasonable condition (I like them to be about a BCS of 6) and your hay is fairly good quality, there is no reason that I can see to supplement them with any sort of grain.
If your cows go into winter in reasonable condition (I like them to be about a BCS of 6) and your hay is fairly good quality, there is no reason that I can see to supplement them with any sort of grain.
Son of Butch
Well-known member
They always have access to decent hay and we feed some corn silage too when it's really cold and to old broken mouth cows to keep weight on.
Rafter S
Well-known member
I do expect mine to get bred in winter or early spring. I keep the protein syrup out pretty much the whole time I'm feeding hay. Partially because I don't fertilize my hay field, so I don't expect the protein level to be very good.
NolanCountyAG
Well-known member
If it's real cold I'll feed every 2nd day and if it's nice I'll feed every 3rd day. 4#s of a 26% cube. My cows calve November-January.
JMJ Farms
Well-known member
I feed good hay. 12% or better protein. Winter grazing for pairs. 4 pounds of WCS per had every 3rd day to bred cows. (Every other day if we hit a cold spell)
Ky hills
Well-known member
My hay is mostly fescue with bluegrass and clovers. I figure it isn't good enough on it's own without supplementing with some feed. I have been feeding a 12% mix of soy hulls, corn gluten, cracked corn, and dried distillers grain, at about 3-4 lbs. per head per day. From what I see most folks around here don't feed their cows anything but similar quality hay. I would be afraid that it would be a disaster if I tried that, I like to keep my cattle in good shape.
Aaron
Well-known member
Supplemented cows one or two winters with screening pellets 20 years ago. Neighbors got Dad talked into feeding cows a little extra to keep them well covered - it was a fad at the time - bringing cheap pellets in from MN. Absolute waste of money - Dad's cows never suffered from being too thin. Fortunately screenings are cheap, so it wasn't a terribly expensive venture.
Give me easy fleshing, hairy cows and 8-10% protein hay and we're good to go. I know some cows that are on premium alfalfa hay and corn silage all winter long and still look like thin sticks come calving.
Have supplemented replacement heifers, after weaning and through winter with a 16% protein grain mix, for many years - but as management practices and genetics change, I have been moving away from that as well.
Give me easy fleshing, hairy cows and 8-10% protein hay and we're good to go. I know some cows that are on premium alfalfa hay and corn silage all winter long and still look like thin sticks come calving.
Have supplemented replacement heifers, after weaning and through winter with a 16% protein grain mix, for many years - but as management practices and genetics change, I have been moving away from that as well.
1982vett
Well-known member
Being in Texas..... No .... BUT .... I can grow winter forage. I am not overstocked and can grow enough for them to eat.herofan":3lcj7rsz said:
skyhightree1
Well-known member
herofan":hx9y0jya said:
I could keep mine on grass all winter but I don't I save some to be ahead of them in the spring. I feed hay and grain in the winter and feed grain with the grass all year round.
If the snow/ice prevents them from eating stockpile we feed hay/baleage. If that's all they have the last month before calving I'll put out a tub. As soon as the calve they are back to just stockpile or hay/baleage.
