Feed Efficiency Critical In Drought Conditions
Low supplies of hay make feeding cattle a challenge . Elizabeth Picking , a University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist in southwestern Missouri , sees the effects of severe drought in her area — dwindling hay supplies , poor-quality hay , high prices and ponds going dry .
Under these conditions , cattle producers need to be more efficient with feed , Picking says . This involves testing forages and calculating the cost of energy and protein to get the best value and results .
Most county extension centers have hay sampling probes that producers can borrow for taking hay samples to test quality or nitrate content . Some offices have moisture and temperature probes for avoiding fires caused by hay that is too wet . Producers should send samples to a laboratory certified by the National Hay Testing Association .
Consider weaning older calves when short on feed , supplementing feed during critical periods and culling nonproducers , Picking says .
Reviewing forage quality and dry matter intake during growth and reproductive stage helps producers determine needs . Also , an understanding of protein and energy for spring and fall calving helps .
Cows need energy-producing supplements when hay supplies are low . Picking suggests a review of crude protein and total digestible nutrient percentages .
Producers can stretch hay supplies by substituting 1 pound of grain to replace 2-3 pounds of hay , she says . Cattle need at least 0.5 % of their body weight in dry matter of forage per day . Cattle will initially appear gaunt and hungry but will adapt within two to three weeks .
One alternative is tubs of supplemental protein and minerals . They vary widely in price , contents and daily consumption and come in a cooked or block form . The moisture-dense blocks are usually cheaper than cooked tubs , but they may be more expensive per unit of nutrient . Blocks are easier to handle than cooked tubs , weighing 30-35 pounds rather than 100-500 pounds . They are best suited for small herds , Picking says .
Producers can also use salt to limit feed intake . Cattle can eat about 0.1 pound of salt per 100 pounds of body weight per day . Mix with commodity feed to limit intake if using a free choice feeder . Cattle can overeat , so it is essential to take care to limit supplies . Salt increases water needs , and this can be a problem when ponds run dry .
Another option is adding liquid feed on low-quality hay . This improves palatability , reduces dustiness and gives cows extra protein and energy . Picking says limit urea to no more than half of the daily protein source .
Stockpiled fescue can be fed when endophyte levels are lower in January and February . Graze stockpiled Bermuda grass early in winter , Picking says .
The MU Extension publication Drought-Related Issues in Forage , Silage and Baleage is available online . More information on forages is available from the Alliance for Grassland Renewal . The alliance includes partners from university , government , industry and nonprofit groups .
Source : University of Missouri Extension
58 • OCTOBER 2022