Gage County
1115 West Scott St.,
Beatrice NE 68310
Phone: (402) 223-1384
FAX: (402) 223-1370

News Column

Paul C Hay, Extension Educator

Stretching Forage Resources

Dry weather has reduced forage resources for cattle both in pastures and stored feed for this winter. This makes planning and pricing very important management issues. The University of Nebraska Extension Beef and Forage Specialists hosted a Feed Resources Satellite Discussion which brought out a number of good ideas.

Key concepts were: Early Weaning, Cow Management, Ammoniation of Straw, Limit Feeding Grain, Storage and Use of Distiller Products, Annual Forages, Forage Options.

Early Weaning - When calves are early weaned, the non-lactating cow intake drops 4.6 to 5.9 pounds per day. The calf forage intake of 5.3 pounds per day is also removed from the pasture. This really stretches the pasture use. Calves should be fed a uniform particle size, dust free, course ground diet with balanced energy and protein. Consult your vet and put a good health program in place.

Cow Management - Early preg checking with sales of open cows is quite efficient. You may want to also use your herd records to cull cows in the bottom one-third or one-fourth of production for the past three years or cull cows over ten years old.

Ammoniation of Straw - Straw treated with 60 pounds per ton of straw under a sealed tarp will have 10-15% higher digestibility and 15% higher intake rate. It becomes about equal to mature brome hay. The problem is that you have to add $15-17 per ton for stacking, covering and treating with $+400 ammonia. At least in Southeast Nebraska lower quality hay may be available for the same price. Feeding the straw free choice at a lower intake might be cheaper.

Limit Feeding Grain - Beef cows can be fed corn at 2-3 pounds per day or at 12-13 pounds per day but nothing in between. Since your cows will bellow for three weeks on a high corn diet since because don't feel full, save your nerves and choose other methods.

Storage and Use of Distiller Products - Wet distillers grains are available at reduced prices in the summer and purchase of truckloads, blending with ground hay or straw for storage in a bunker or bag may make a quite affordable alternative feed. For mix regs check gage.unl.edu This could be fed in bunkers of on the ground in pastures or stalks. You would need to change feeding locations to minimize potential damage to pastures or fields due to feedlot like traffic.

Annual Forages - Summer annuals like sudex, sudangrass, pearl millet or drought damaged corn offer grazing alternatives with modest rainfall. Early fall options include turnips, and oats. Late fall and spring options include wheat, rye, and triticale. Be sure to factor in the cost of seed, seeding and alternative option cost. For example the extra 25 bushels/A in next years corn crop on no-till wheat stubble may be of greater economic benefit than turnip pasture.

Forage Options - Potential for purchase of roadside hay, and CRP may vary widely. There are many situations in Southeast Nebraska where this is a very affordable option to increase cattle feed and/or replace alfalfa which could be sold on the upscale hay market.

View other Gage County News Columns & News Letters: http://gage.unl.edu/news/news.htm

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