Soybeans in round bales?

[MO_cows]

Saw a field of soybeans getting cut and put into round bales. The beans were stunted from the drought, maybe just over knee high. They do have pods all down the stalk, probably much smaller than normal. How would that be for feed? Seems like they would pick thru the stalks and eat the beans and waste much of it. Never seen this done before, anybody know about it?

 

[Fire Sweep Ranch]

They talked about the soybean round bales in the Drought class we took in August. Biggest problem they pointed out is that it will test extremely high for nutritional value, but the RFV was poor because of just what you said; they will not eat the stalks, and the leaves just crumble. So the only real feed value is in the beans themselves. Even the pods are too tough. Lots of people on Craig's List selling rounds of soybean, but it is buyer beware because it will be mostly waist. At least, that is what the extension was telling everyone.

 

[Chris H]

If you can put it in a TMR, they'll eat it.

 

[preston39]

We have fed bean hay. You will be surprised how much of the stems they will eat if sorghum mollasses are poured on the hay. We have turned the bale up on end and poured dried mollasses over the area and allow it to set for a day. Have used liquid protein also. The combination is best. There will be very little left. Just don't expecd a large amount of hay/rolls per acre. Shortly,we will be cutting about 50 acres from a neighbors late try that are just mature...with flat pods.