Tubs

[HDRider]

I want to be clear that we feed tubs to prevent from feeding hay, .

Interesting. Wasn't sure that was possible - unless you are saying you have enough stockpiled forage on the ground? I always thought the tubs just helped maximize the value of poor quality forage. In fact, it was my understanding that the tubs we are talking about here actually may INCREASE the rate of forage consumption.

Me too.

 

[Brute 23]

Yes. We have plenty of stock piled grass. I plan to keep it that away. My first line of defense is tubs but your grass has to be of a certain quality even then to make that fly. My next step is ground feed or cubes. Last line of defense is hay.

In droughts I have seen hay consumption drop with tubs and good hay. Not sure what happens with just filler type hay.

 

[TexasBred]

Yes. We have plenty of stock piled grass. I plan to keep it that away. My first line of defense is tubs but your grass has to be of a certain quality even then to make that fly. My next step is ground feed or cubes. Last line of defense is hay.

In droughts I have seen hay consumption drop with tubs and good hay. Not sure what happens with just filler type hay.

With filler hay consumption will drop too. Considerably because of the low digestibility and the NDF is so high they get full much quicker and digest it much slower. Most energy obtained from the hay is utilized trying to digest the stuff. Without some supplementation the cattle will lose body condition, you will have more open cattle, more weak calves at birth and more calves that grow slowly. Like us, cows are what they eat.

 

[Brute 23]

Yes. We have plenty of stock piled grass. I plan to keep it that away. My first line of defense is tubs but your grass has to be of a certain quality even then to make that fly. My next step is ground feed or cubes. Last line of defense is hay.

In droughts I have seen hay consumption drop with tubs and good hay. Not sure what happens with just filler type hay.

With filler hay consumption will drop too. Considerably because of the low digestibility and the NDF is so high they get full much quicker and digest it much slower. Most energy obtained from the hay is utilized trying to digest the stuff. Without some supplementation the cattle will lose body condition, you will have more open cattle, more weak calves at birth and more calves that grow slowly. Like us, cows are what they eat.

Thanks TB :tiphat: