morgan in ar
Member
I am facing possibility reducing my cow herd due
to lack of hay. I lost two hay fields, and with
the dry weather, I don't have neatly enough hay. I
am currently running around 30 pairs. I usually
average around 7 bales fed per pair per winter.
Right now, I only have hay for about 10 pairs, and
a second cut doesn't look promising. Hay for sale
is getting tough to find, and running around $40
for fair 4x5 rounds.
I have thought about reducing the herd to match
the hay, and spending that money on chicken litter
and spray. That would put the money back into
production, and avoid income taxes on selling
cows.
I could also just sell enough to buy enough hay
to make up the difference. I really hate the idea
of selling, I just finally got the herd
increasing. There are a few that I know need to
go, old enough for bovine social security, but
what else? Bred heifers? They are always kind of
risky. What are your options?
to lack of hay. I lost two hay fields, and with
the dry weather, I don't have neatly enough hay. I
am currently running around 30 pairs. I usually
average around 7 bales fed per pair per winter.
Right now, I only have hay for about 10 pairs, and
a second cut doesn't look promising. Hay for sale
is getting tough to find, and running around $40
for fair 4x5 rounds.
I have thought about reducing the herd to match
the hay, and spending that money on chicken litter
and spray. That would put the money back into
production, and avoid income taxes on selling
cows.
I could also just sell enough to buy enough hay
to make up the difference. I really hate the idea
of selling, I just finally got the herd
increasing. There are a few that I know need to
go, old enough for bovine social security, but
what else? Bred heifers? They are always kind of
risky. What are your options?