Out of Pasture

[Hayes' Farms]

Hi every one I am new to the site, I am a 23 year old begining farmer,I have lived on a farm my whole life, but I have never seen Dad or Grandpa, feed hay this early in the year. My question is this.

Dried Distilers Grain + Hay
Soy Hulls + Hay
Corn Gluten Feed + Hay

I have 35 Angus first calf heifers with a calf at side averaging 400lbs. What is the best, and how many lbs. per head per day, will replace pasture?

 

[Crowderfarms]

Hi every one I am new to the site, I am a 23 year old begining farmer,I have lived on a farm my whole life, but I have never seen Dad or Grandpa, feed hay this early in the year. My question is this.

Dried Distilers Grain + Hay
Soy Hulls + Hay
Corn Gluten Feed + Hay

I have 35 Angus first calf heifers with a calf at side averaging 400lbs. What is the best, and how many lbs. per head per day, will replace pasture?

Not much that will replace Pasture. Bout all you can do besides selling out, with this Drought we're all going through is to feed, and supplement.We're feeding CPC Feed that's 12% Protein along with rolls, and some Tubs.I'd say on a per head basis, we're feeding about 4-5 lbs per day per head.Maybe it'll rain sometime soon.

 

[cfpinz]

Don't take this the wrong way but the first thing I'd do is trade in those calves for about $500 each. They may be worth more later but with the added expenses you are going to incur, is it worth it? I know exactly what you're going thru, we've got some decent rains here lately but still hauling hay/water to farms I rent only 16 miles away. Best of luck.

cfpinz

 

[Hayes' Farms]

Thanks for the help. I going to try and hold out a little while longer on the calves, I need them to average at least $550. This was a tough year to get started out on my own.

 

[CUZ]

I agree with Cf. Sell the calves. Main benefit is don't have to feed them. Side benefit is with no pasture should let your mommas bounce back a little easier or not be pulled down as far. We had some first timers being pulled down and sold their calves at 6 months old, which is a lot earlier than we normally do. Mommas have begun to bounce back, bcs-wise. We're glad we did it.

 

[cfpinz]

Thanks for the help. I going to try and hold out a little while longer on the calves, I need them to average at least $550. This was a tough year to get started out on my own.

Not trying to tell you what to do, but take the time to figure what it's going to cost you to "earn" that extra $50. Take into account the extra feed and the toll it will take on the mamas. And who's to say the market won't drop a quarter tomorrow?

cfpinz

 

[HEREFORD ROADHOG]

i agree- wean & sell the calves

 

[redfornow]

Thanks for the help. I going to try and hold out a little while longer on the calves, I need them to average at least $550. This was a tough year to get started out on my own.

Not trying to tell you what to do, but take the time to figure what it's going to cost you to "earn" that extra $50. Take into account the extra feed and the toll it will take on the mamas. And who's to say the market won't drop a quarter tomorrow?

cfpinz

Welcome to the world of cattle.
cfpinz advise is right on, wait a month and get 400 a head.
Seen it happen got the t-shirt....

MD

 

[sidney411]

Have you figured how much $$$ it's going to cost to put the weight on the calves to equal $50 more at the sale barn. You have to figure how much more your going to have to feed the momma and the calf. Plus, it you figure that to be anywhere between 38 and 50 lbs per calf that is another 25 to 50 or more days depending on the calves ADG and what you are putting in then to get the ADG. Put the pencil to it and I would be willing to bet you would be money ahead to ship them now.

 

[feelnrite]

Hi every one I am new to the site, I am a 23 year old begining farmer,I have lived on a farm my whole life, but I have never seen Dad or Grandpa, feed hay this early in the year. My question is this.

Dried Distilers Grain + Hay
Soy Hulls + Hay
Corn Gluten Feed + Hay

I have 35 Angus first calf heifers with a calf at side averaging 400lbs. What is the best, and how many lbs. per head per day, will replace pasture?

Hang in there things can change fast. I am in west tennessee and dealing with the same problems. Can you run them in a stalk field? Mine are in one now. I am feeding soy hull pellets too. I have fed them for several years and fed them one winter to cows to stretch hay. I fed about 3 pounds per head per day and fed square hay to a small bunch and it really helped. Do you know Joey Riley in Mayfield that buys cattle? There is a man they buy hay from that is out west and he brings trailers and drops them and takes empties back. He has prairie grass hay and I think it is about 5 bucks a bale by the time it gets here but they are heavy bales. I have a friend that has fed it and says it is worth it because it goes farther than our hay here does. YOu might check on that. I have baled some stalks too. Not crazy about them but will beat nothing. I think I will make it. I still have my calves too and always wean and put weight on them. I am going to try that this year too. I have no tilled some rye grass and more fescue in pastures but need rain now again. Just hope we have some more rain and a late frost. Good luck