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Implement Alley Discussion Forum

Hay Required Per Cow

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Jerry (AL)

08-24-2005 16:58:59

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I have wondered how a cattleman estimates the hay he is going to need to put up for his winter feed. I'm sitting in the NW corner of Alabama here.

I grew up on a farm and my dad raised a few cattle and have been giving some thought to trying down the road to get in it in a little way. I also when I was a teenager helped a neighbor all the time with his feeding of 150 head.

Just doing a little head scratching and thinking here.

I own 68 acres now with 35 in hay fields. I'm in the process of acquiring another 52 under fence adjoining my current property. Just wanted to see how the balance might work,etc.

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wolfman

08-25-2005 16:14:28

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Re: Hay Required Per Cow in reply to Jerry (AL), 08-24-2005 16:58:59

Here in s.w. PA, I've noticed that a 4X5 round bale (1000-1200 lb) will feed 30 cows one day; or 15 cows 2 days; or 7.5 cows 4 days ; or two bales for 60 cows ON AVERAGE. Snow cover, temperature, size of cattle are all factors.

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Steve/TN

08-25-2005 11:19:37

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Re: Hay Required Per Cow in reply to Jerry (AL), 08-24-2005 16:58:59

Jerry, unless we get an unusually bad winter, you can grow winter pastures in your location. I know of some ranchers that feed very little. Get with the U.A ag people or the U.T. people and get some information on the hay question and on winter pasture. Check at the Farmer's Co-op; they have crop specialists nowadays that can help you. Sometimes, those guys are better informed than the university people.

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Coloken

08-25-2005 07:21:30

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Re: Hay Required Per Cow in reply to Jerry (AL), 08-24-2005 16:58:59

Very rough estimate, but cow's weight in a month.

1200 lb. cow 1200lb. hay 24 sissey bales, 13 good bales.
Kennyp

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havvey

08-25-2005 05:53:39

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Re: Hay Required Per Cow in reply to Jerry (AL), 08-24-2005 16:58:59

We used to figure 1 bale a day plus nutrients on a good milking cow. small cows/horses a bale every 2 days plus nutrients

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havvey

08-25-2005 05:51:30

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Re: Hay Required Per Cow in reply to Jerry (AL), 08-24-2005 16:58:59

We used to figure 1 bale a day plus nutrients on a good milking cow. small cows/horses a bale every 2 days plus nutrients

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kyhayman

08-24-2005 19:37:18

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Re: Hay Required Per Cow in reply to Jerry (AL), 08-24-2005 16:58:59

A cow wants to eat 2-3% of her body weight per day. That lets her feel full. That may or may not contain all the nutrition (protein and TDN) that she needs. For example, 18# of soy hulls contains everything she needs to produce well, but she stays hungary. 30# of late cut pure fescue with no clover or wheat straw doesnt contain enough of either.

With that said, I dont limit feed. Just not practical with my work situation. I try to feed free choice what she wants of 80-90 RFV hay. If my hay is better than that I try to sell it. In a 'normal' year here I feed 110 days so I budget 4-1000# round bales per cow. Years like 3 years ago when it never got above 32 degress in December I needed an extra roll per cow but it greened up earlier than normal (so I do try to keep 40 extra on hand). This year, I have 30 days of grass left due to drought so I'll have an extra 100 days to feed if it doesnt rain, if I can figure out how to feed $50 a roll hay to cows.

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PaMike

08-26-2005 09:43:54

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Re: Hay Required Per Cow in reply to kyhayman, 08-24-2005 19:37:18

Kyhayman,
Is the 2-3% of body weight fairly close for steers too? Do you have any figures for them? Thanks

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kyhayman

08-26-2005 16:29:18

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Re: Hay Required Per Cow in reply to PaMike, 08-26-2005 09:43:54

Thats pretty close to what they can physically hold. One reason that calves need better quality feeds is the smaller digestive systems and faster metabolism. Depends on both how fast you want them to gain, the size coming into the system, and the base feedstuff (that should be whatever is providing the majority of their energy be it hay, corn, pasture, etc as energy is typically the largest total cost nutrient). If you want to email me the info I can try to balance out a ration for you.

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Ks-farmer

08-24-2005 19:20:04

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Re: Hay Required Per Cow in reply to Jerry (AL), 08-24-2005 16:58:59

It also depends on how bad you winters are. I usually get by with 800-1000 lbs. bales per 25 head of 1200 lb. cows. Kit Pharo has some interesting ideas on raising cattle.

pharo cattle company

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Sid

08-25-2005 09:16:22

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Re: Hay Required Per Cow in reply to Ks-farmer, 08-24-2005 19:20:04

That is what I believe. I may not be big but it is working for me.

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BobMo

08-24-2005 17:27:36

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Re: Hay Required Per Cow in reply to Jerry (AL), 08-24-2005 16:58:59

Jerry, my advice would be go to Ag department of the University of Alabama's web site and you'll be able to get all the information you need for your area.
Since the requirements will be established my your live stocks weights going into winter that will determine the amount of hay you can expect to feed. Of course you'll have to factor in unexpected bad weather and the ability of your pasture to provide pasture late. There are so many variables its going to take some guesswork before you get it right. It�s much better to have too much than not enough. Depending on the cattle your going to produce you may want to test your hay to find out the supplements that will be required along with the hay. Here in central southern Missouri I usually figure about 1500 lbs. per unit. That is based on small square bales with limited waste.
Get yourself a good book on raising cattle and read it and practice it. Your local university extension can help. Don't do as gramps used to do. Good luck.

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steveormary

08-24-2005 20:11:14

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Re: Hay Required Per Cow in reply to BobMo, 08-24-2005 17:27:36

I fed hay free choice. Plus some grain and supplement. For say a 1000# stock cow I would figure 30#"s of alfalfa and 4-5#"s of grain and some supplement. That is per day in Nebraska.

steveormary

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steveormary

08-24-2005 20:07:16

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Re: Hay Required Per Cow in reply to BobMo, 08-24-2005 17:27:36

I fed hay free choice. Plus some grain and supplement. For say a 1000# stock cow I would figure 30#"s of alfalfa and 4-5#"s of grain and some supplement. That is per day in Nebraska.

steveormary

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