What's the point in mixing hay and concentrates in rations?
- Thread starter redangus
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Mostly convenience. But it is a better way to balance a ration when you have several head to feed, like hundreds or thousands.
You can mix all the ingredients and have it balanced nutritionally and economically. You can feed poorer quality forages in a mixed ration of concentrates and the cattle still get the fiber and energy from the forage and the cattle don't eat more of one than the other.
You can mix all the ingredients and have it balanced nutritionally and economically. You can feed poorer quality forages in a mixed ration of concentrates and the cattle still get the fiber and energy from the forage and the cattle don't eat more of one than the other.
certherfbeef
Well-known member
If they are all mixed together there is a better chance of each animal getting the same amount of each commodity. Some cows like the hay better than the other stuff and don't get a balanced ration.
Dairy guys do it all the time.
I don't mess with it. My cows rough it.
Dairy guys do it all the time.
I don't mess with it. My cows rough it.
certherfbeef
Well-known member
Sorry ENNOT, we were typing at the same time. You did a better job explaining anyhow.
redangus":986uck55 said:
You can but you have no control over the amount of hay eaten by feeding free choice, thus no way of accurately balancing the ration.
Feedlots will usually start cattle on a ration with a high hay content then gradually convert the ration to a higher concentrated mixture for higher gain.
The economics of both ways could be argued according to the price and quality of your hay.
