StettlerLocal.com January 31, 2022, contributed by Yaremcio Ag Consulting, Ltd.
With feed in very short supply, it will be critical to take inventory of feed on hand and the number of animals to be fed.
Knowing how many animals there are to feed is the first part. The second is taking inventory of the number of bales of hay, greenfeed, round bale silage, and straw, along with the bushels of grain or tons of silage available is the starting point for the calculation. The third is calculating the number of days the animals will be on feed prior to spring grass.
Size, stage of production and types of animals (growing calves, pregnant or lactating cows) impacts the amount of feed and quality of feed required to provide a balanced ration. In normal weather, animals will consume 2.5% of body weight in dry feed. For a 1,400 pound cow, this is between 35 and 40 pounds of hay a day. Feed intake increases during cold weather, and this could be an additional 10 to 20%, depending on how cold it gets.
When feed is limited, feed straw as part of the ration to the mature cow herd prior to calving. Nutrient requirements of a pregnant cow are 25% lower than a lactating cow. There are limits to how much straw can be fed. Straw is a low protein, low energy feed that is high in fibre. Impaction and weight loss are possible if too much straw is fed. Balance the ration to determine how much straw can be included.
Save the best feed for after calving and for younger growing calves. The nursing cow needs to be on a rising plane of nutrition so that she will quickly conceive during the first part of the breeding season.
If feed supplies are not sufficient to make it to spring grass, one option is to make to make other feeding arrangements. Have the animals custom fed. The second option is to sell a portion of the herd to reduce feed requirements. Old cows, open cows and steers are the first to consider. Try to keep the productive pregnant females and bred heifers on farm so that the size of future calf crops is not reduced.
Barry Yaremcio
Ruminant Nutritionist