1. Surviving the Drought John Johns, Roy Burris and Kenny Burdine University of Kentucky

2. The Drought Surviving

3. Background High Corn Prices Scarce hay supply Drought Heat High Corn Prices Scarce hay supply Drought Heat

4. Impact on- Summer Grazing Winter Feed Water Supply Nitrates / Poisonous Plants

5. What do I do to meet needs when forage quality is not the issue but forage quantity is? DROUGHT!

6. Assess Situation Inventory Cattle Inventory Feed Supply Do the numbers match? Inventory Cattle Inventory Feed Supply Do the numbers match?

7. Animal Management Issues Pregnancy check, cull opens Cull older, lower producing cows Cull problem cows, disposition, arthritic, teat, udder and feet problems. Pregnancy check, cull opens Cull older, lower producing cows Cull problem cows, disposition, arthritic, teat, udder and feet problems.

8. Conduct a feed and animal inventory Use ASC-78 as a guide Group animals by their needs Compare how much feed is needed vs what is on hand Use ASC-78 as a guide Group animals by their needs Compare how much feed is needed vs what is on hand

9. Allocation of Hay to Various Classes of Cattle Based on Quality Quality of Hay High Low Quality of Hay High Low Classes of Cattle Young Calves Weaned Calves Replacements Yearlings Bred Heifers 2-year old Cows Lactating Cows Mature Cows, last 1/3 of gestation Mature Bulls Mature Pregnant Cows, first 2/3 of gestation

10. Nutritional Quality of Forages Crude ProteinTDN Excellent11.2%+56%+ Good9.5%-11.1%50%-56% Fair8.2%-9.5%50%-56% Poor7.3%-8.2%50%-55% Very Poor<7.3%<48% Source: Parish, Jane et al. 2007. Producer Guide to Coping with Drought Conditions

11. Approximate forage intake by beef cattle ForageTDN %DMI (%BW) Well-eared silage60-702.5 to 3.3 Actively growing pasture702.0 to 2.5 Legume hay, good55-602.5 to 3.0 Grass hay, good50-552.0 to 2.5 Mature grass hay45-501.5 to 2.0 Grass hay, poor40-451.0 to 1.5 Straw35-401.0 or less

12. Are Alternatives Available on the Farm? Corn that will make little or no grain yield –Chop it as silage –Do not graze or roll it for hay due to nitrates Soybeans that will not set a bean –Graze or roll as hay, prevent bloat if grazing –Cut and roll when all leaves are still green Corn that will make little or no grain yield –Chop it as silage –Do not graze or roll it for hay due to nitrates Soybeans that will not set a bean –Graze or roll as hay, prevent bloat if grazing –Cut and roll when all leaves are still green

13. Soybeans for Hay or Silage For silage, harvest at R6 stage May need to wilt after cutting Forage beans yield 3-4 tons/ac of DM Grain beans yield 2-3 tons/ac of DM Animals do not like the silage, eat 20% less than corn silage For silage, harvest at R6 stage May need to wilt after cutting Forage beans yield 3-4 tons/ac of DM Grain beans yield 2-3 tons/ac of DM Animals do not like the silage, eat 20% less than corn silage

14. Soybeans for Hay or Silage Hay may need to be harvested at a little earlier stage Should be conditioned to crush stem or hard to cure If too mature at cutting, will lose bean due to conditioning May have feeding loss of up to 20% due to stem refusal Hay may need to be harvested at a little earlier stage Should be conditioned to crush stem or hard to cure If too mature at cutting, will lose bean due to conditioning May have feeding loss of up to 20% due to stem refusal

16. Baling or Grazing Corn Stalks 120 bu corn = 4 to 5 tons residue/acre Cows consume grain, leaves, husks, cobs, stalks in order 1 acre of stalks = 30 days grazing/cow with mineral, protein supplementation Should be strip grazed Baling leaves much of the best (grain, leaves, husks) in the field 120 bu corn = 4 to 5 tons residue/acre Cows consume grain, leaves, husks, cobs, stalks in order 1 acre of stalks = 30 days grazing/cow with mineral, protein supplementation Should be strip grazed Baling leaves much of the best (grain, leaves, husks) in the field

18. Corn Stalks High Nitrates have been detected Low quality feed Requires protein and energy supplementation Considerable waste in feeding Stores poorly High Nitrates have been detected Low quality feed Requires protein and energy supplementation Considerable waste in feeding Stores poorly

19. What is an Acre of Stalks Worth to Graze? Hay Cost/Ton $80$100$120 $/lb of hay.04.05.06 $/Cow for 30 days 3442.551

20. Performance of Cows fed Baled Corn Stalks Supplement Trt.CSMCSM + Corn Int. Wt. lbs10881092 Wt. loss, lbs2836 Int. BCS5.35.4 BCS loss-.45-.50 Rosepine Res. Sta. Rep. 11, 2000; Free choice access to corn stalk bales for 42 days. Supplements were cottonseed meal at 1.3 lbs dry matter or 1.3 lbs + 2.0 lbs of ground corn dry matter.

21. Cow Rations with Baled Corn Stalks Ration12345 Stalks12.510 SBHulls3.5103.32.2 CGF4.03.34.46.1 Corn2.3 DDGS2.2 Protein Block XX Limest..1.25 IRM Min.25 1200 pound pregnant, dry cow in mid-November; Corn stalks valued at 48% TDN and 5.0% CP on DM basis.

22. Cow Rations with Baled Corn Stalks Ration12345 Stalks12.51112.51012.5 SB Hulls11 5.54.53 CGF1.125.54.53 Corn5.7 DDGS3.3 Protein Block XXX Limest..1 IRM min.25 1200 pound pregnant, dry cow in mid-January; Corn stalks valued at 48% TDN and 5.0% CP on DM basis.

23. Gain of Stocker Cattle on Normal or Drought Corn Silage NormalDrought% Change Trial 1 Head44 ADG, lbs2.061.889.6 Trial 2 Head1856 ADG, lbs1.721.3230 Nebraska

24. Nutrient Analysis DM Basis FeedDM %TDN%CP% Corn Silage3469.98.2 Grass Hay91.956.610.7 SB Silage615616 SB Hay91.660.916.3 Corn Stalks51.7547.6 Source: Dairy One Laboratory, Cornell University

25. Baseline Assumptions Feed Stuff Tons / Acre DM tons / Acre TDN tons / Acre CP tons / Acre Corn Silage 186.124.280.50 Grass Hay 1.51.380.78.148

26. Nutritional Needs Spring Calving Cow, 1200 lbs, Winter 120 days TDN lbsCP lbs Daily12.371.81 Total1484217

27. What will it take? Acres needed per cow Cows fed per acre Corn Silage.175.7 Grass Hay.9511.08

28. What will it cost? Value per acre Total cost per acre Cost per cow Corn Silage (120 bu) $360$511.56$86.96 Grass Hay (1.5 tons) $150 $142.65

29. What can I pay for silage? Based on previous estimate, hay costs $142.65 per cow to winter How many tons of corn silage will it take to winter them? => 3.06 tons You can pay $46.62 per ton of corn silage if hay is $100 per ton Based on previous estimate, hay costs $142.65 per cow to winter How many tons of corn silage will it take to winter them? => 3.06 tons You can pay $46.62 per ton of corn silage if hay is $100 per ton

30. What can I pay for Corn Silage? $80$100$120$140 Corn Silage (per ton) $37.29$46.62$57.45$65.26 Standing Corn (per ton silage) $29.32$38.65$49.48$57.29 Standing Corn (per acre) $527.76$695.70$890.64$1,031.22

31. If I need to buy feed, what should I buy, hay or something else?

32. Nutrient dense feeds such as grains, commodities, etc., are cheaper per unit of nutrient compared to hay. Be sure and compare on a dry matter basis.

33. Stretch Hay with Supplement Feed the hay on hand and buy supplement Corn will replace hay at the rate of 1.0 lb. Corn can replace 2.0 lb. of hay Feed the hay on hand and buy supplement Corn will replace hay at the rate of 1.0 lb. Corn can replace 2.0 lb. of hay

34. Alternative Feeds FeedCPUIP, % CP TDN, %Starch % Corn9.8559070 DDG30.4529018 DBG29506610.7 SBH1225776 CGF23.8228025.4 W Midds18.7216937.8 NRC – Beef 2000 Update, PAS 16:69 - 99

35. How much hay does a cow have to have daily?

36. Limit fed Corn vs. Hay Rations for Cows, 3 Year Summary

37. Limit Feeding High Energy Rations for Growing Cattle

38. Economics of Corn vs. Hay to Cows FeedPrice, $Unit$ / lb Shell Corn$4.50Bushel$0.0714 Supplement$300Ton$0.15 Hay$100Ton$0.05 Daily Feed Cost, $ Per Day RationCorn BasedHay Only Three Trial Average$1.39$1.50 Winter Feeding Cost*$180.57$195.00 *Assumes 130 day winter feeding period

39. Assuming 130 Day Winter Feeding Corn based may be cheaper if hay price exceeds $93 per ton Even if hay is cheaper, what is the goal Do we want to minimize costs, or maximize profit? What is the value of a 21 lb increase in weaning weight and a 7% increase in conception rate? Corn based may be cheaper if hay price exceeds $93 per ton Even if hay is cheaper, what is the goal Do we want to minimize costs, or maximize profit? What is the value of a 21 lb increase in weaning weight and a 7% increase in conception rate?

40. Value of Increased Production Hay OnlyCorn Based Avg. WW613 lbs634 lbs Conception Rate84%91% Lbs. weaned / cow515 lbs576 lbs Income per cow*$515$565 Difference--------+$50 *613# @ $100 / cwt, 634# @ $98 / cow

41. What about by-products?

42. Limitations Moisture content Nutrient profile Storage Contaminants Moisture content Nutrient profile Storage Contaminants Economics Availability Transportation

43. Soy Hulls Excellent palatability Less starch content than grains; therefore, less negative effect on forage utilization Safer, less incidence of founder Excellent palatability Less starch content than grains; therefore, less negative effect on forage utilization Safer, less incidence of founder

44. Type of Energy Supplement and Gain of Steers on Hay Based Rations SupplementCorn/SBMSoyhulls Steer Wt. lbs626629 Sup. Intake lbs 7 ($.75 / day) 7 ($.49 / day) Hay Intake lbs 11.711.5 ADG, lbs1.82.2 KY PR – 417, p. 86

45. Corn Gluten By-product of soft drink industry May be wet or dried Corn gluten “feed” is around 22-25% CP; corn gluten meal is about 60% CP Low starch By-product of soft drink industry May be wet or dried Corn gluten “feed” is around 22-25% CP; corn gluten meal is about 60% CP Low starch

47. Corn Gluten Feed High level of Sulfur (around 0.6%) Limit to 50% of DMI due to its high sulfur content (Cu deficiency and polio) High level of Sulfur (around 0.6%) Limit to 50% of DMI due to its high sulfur content (Cu deficiency and polio)

48. Distillers Grain

50. Distiller’s Grain (30%CP) DM%Price $/T DM # Ton Feed Cost #/DM Dried8812017606.8 Modified505810005.8 Wet30386006.3

51. Storage of Wet Distillers Grains

52. Challenges Transportation costs Equipment needs for handling and storage Rancidity Transportation costs Equipment needs for handling and storage Rancidity

53. Methods of Ensiling Silo Bags Bunker Silos Covered Piles Silo Bags Bunker Silos Covered Piles

54. Ensiling WDG With Soy Hulls

55. Advantages of a 70:30 Mixture (50:50 DM basis) Reduces dust in soybean hulls Reduces seepage Decreases CP content to 21% Maintains high energy values Reduces dust in soybean hulls Reduces seepage Decreases CP content to 21% Maintains high energy values

56. Ensiling WDG with Crop Residues On farm study Blended corn stalks with MWDG Blend was 60% DM –Cool at bag opening –Heated quickly Garcia et al., 2004

57. Recommendations DM of blends should be no more than 50% Drier blends do not preserve as well Use of WDG over MWDG is preferred DM of blends should be no more than 50% Drier blends do not preserve as well Use of WDG over MWDG is preferred

58. Commodity Rations for Limit Feeding Cows, Early Winter Feed/Ration12345 CGF7.825.53 SBH124.596.06.5 Grass Hay333310 DDGS Limestone.2.1 Protein Block X

59. Commodity Rations for Limit Feeding Cows, Late Winter Feed/Ration12345 CGF6.75.52.3 SBH157.36.09.011 Grass Hay333310 DDGS2.02.2 Lime.1 Protein Block X

60. Meet the nutritional needs You must maintain body condition –Calving –Rebreeding You must maintain body condition –Calving –Rebreeding

61. Energy Deficiencies Affect Cow Rebreeding Calf Health/Survival Calf Growth Rate Cow Rebreeding Calf Health/Survival Calf Growth Rate

62. Energy Deficiencies Decrease Calf Survival Through Lowered Immunoglobulin Transfer to Calf

63. Timing of Deficiency Influences Effect Pre-calving deficiency  days of post partum interval Post-calving deficiency  % conception Pre-calving deficiency  days of post partum interval Post-calving deficiency  % conception

64. BCS and Cow-calf Performance

65. Limit Forage Consumption Supplement Forage Feed in Hay racks Utilize all hay before moving rack Delay feeding by 12 hours after roll eaten Move feeding area to reduce mud Supplement Forage Feed in Hay racks Utilize all hay before moving rack Delay feeding by 12 hours after roll eaten Move feeding area to reduce mud

66. Rumensin for Wintering Cows 50 – 60% of total cost is winter feed Prevent and control coccidiosis Improved feed efficiency Feed in 1 lb of feed daily

67. Cow and Calf Performance, Feed Intake, lbs ControlRumensin Precalving Hay26.823.2 Postcalving Hay30.526.2 SBH3.53.0

68. Total Feed Costs and Savings ControlRumensinDifference Hay @ $120 $168.50$146.27$22.23 (13.2%) Hay @ $40 $63.86$56.51$7.35 (11.5%) Feed Prices Soybean Hulls = $70/ton Supplement = 5.35 or 6.85 ¢/lb Hay = $120 or $40/ton

69. Cost per day on Purchased Hay $75$100$125$150 25 lb $0.94$1.25$1.56$1.88 30 lb $1.13$1.50$1.88$2.25 Disappearance per day Cost of hay per ton

70. Cost per day on Hulls / Hay Substituting Concept (Late Winter) $100$125$150 $140 $1.20$1.24$1.28 $160 $1.35$1.39$1.43 $180 $1.50$1.54$1.58 Cost per ton of soy hulls Cost per ton of hay *Ration: 15 lbs soy hulls, 3 lbs grass hay

71. Cost per day on Hulls / Hay Stretching Concept (Late Winter) $100$125$150 $140 $1.57$1.70$1.82 $160 $1.68$1.81$1.93 $180 $1.79$1.92$2.04 Cost per ton of soy hulls Cost per ton of hay *Ration: 11 lbs soy hulls, 10 lbs grass hay, w/ protein block

72. Cost per day on Stockpiled Fescue / Fall Fertilization $0.50$0.55$0.60 20 : 1 $0.89$0.98$1.07 25 : 1 $0.71$0.79$0.86 30 : 1 $0.59$0.65$0.71 Lbs of DM per lb of N Cost per lb of Nitrogen Note: Considers only additional fescue production from fertilizer (70% utilization)

73. Restricting Hay Intake for Cows Nursing Calves Hay Access, hrs 4824 B. Wt. Ch.-125-61-44 Final BCS5.45.56.1 BCS Ch.-.63-.25.15 Calf ADG lb2.172.152.21 Milk, lbs9.9 10.1 Hay Disap.22.43236 %<24 hr.3811.1------- PAS 21:182-189

74. Restricting Hay Intake for Cows in Last Trimester of Gestation Hay Access hrs 357 B. Wt. Ch.+52+70+106 Final BCS5.3 5.6 Hay Disap.15.417.620 %<7 hours2312--------- PAS 21:182-189

75. Savings from Limit Hay Feeding Lactating Cows Access4 Hours8 Hours24 Hours Hay Consumed22.43236 Hay Savings / Day13.6 lbs4 lbs--------- $ per day*$0.68$0.20--------- Saving over 130 days 0.88 tons 0.26 tons--------- Total $ Savings*$88.4$26.00--------- * Hay valued @ $100 per ton

76. Savings from Limit Hay Feeding Dry Cows Access3 Hours5 Hours7 Hours Hay Consumed15.417.620 Hay Savings / Day4.6 lbs2.4 lbs--------- $ per day*$0.23$0.12--------- Saving over 130 days.299 tons.156 tons--------- Total $ Savings* $29.9$15.6--------- * Hay valued @ $100 per ton

77. Early Weaning of Calves Decreases nutrient needs of the cow Cheaper to feed calf than cow Calves as old as 50 days can be weaned Feed conversion 4 to 5 lbs/lb of gain Good health practices Must be able to reach feed and water Decreases nutrient needs of the cow Cheaper to feed calf than cow Calves as old as 50 days can be weaned Feed conversion 4 to 5 lbs/lb of gain Good health practices Must be able to reach feed and water

78. Early Weaning Rations, 300 lb Calf, ADG = 2.0 lbs Feed/Ration1234 Corn2.02.3 CGF1.53.3 Soy Hulls53.3 Alfalfa hay5.5 Grass hay5 SBM-44%22.21.7 SBM-49%1.0 DDGS1.31.65 Limestone.15.1.15 Dical Phos..1

79. Preconditioning Rations - Normal Wn. Weights Ration12345 Grass Hay 3.34.46 Alf. Hay5.55.0 SB Hulls 4.46.56.41.1 CGF3.31.1 Corn5.7 SB Meal2.0.72.01.8 DDGS1.62.2 IRM St. Min..25 500 lb calf, ADG = 2.5 lbs for 45 days. Grass hay 50% TDN and 9% CP; Alfalfa 62% TDN and 19.9 CP DM basis.

80. Feed Price Assumptions FeedPriceFeedPrice Sh. Corn$171 / tonDDG’s$167 / ton Corn Gluten $145 / tonAlfalfa Hay$150 / ton Soy Hulls$160 / tonGrass Hay$100 / ton SBM 44%$288 / tonLimestone$3.05 / bag SBM 48%$296 / tonDical$11.15 / bag

81. Cost of Gain on John’s Rations RationCost per DayCost / lb gain 1 – Alf, corn, SBM $0.89$0.45 2 – Hay, Corn, SBM $0.77$0.39 3 – Hull, Gluten, SBM, DDG $0.87$0.43 4 - Hull, Gluten, SBM, DDG $0.80$0.40

82. Warning Consider all alternatives before you pay too much for poor-quality large round hay bales or other sources of roughage.

83. Long Term Adjustment Store a surplus of hay (carry-over) Consider some warm season grass pasture Select cattle for reproductive efficiency Calving season Store a surplus of hay (carry-over) Consider some warm season grass pasture Select cattle for reproductive efficiency Calving season

84. QUESTIONS?