Quantity and Quality Lawton Stewart - Extension Beef Specialist The University of Georgia Lawton Stewart - Extension Beef Specialist The University of Georgia Managing Forage Deficits:

Lets wait, its gotta rain soon…

Develop a plan 1.Where are we in production?  Fall/spring calving  Lactating cows or weaned calves 2.Inventory nutrients and understand their cost  What feeds/forages are on hand?  What feeds/forages can I get?  Can I stretch out my hay?  Is hay my cheapest option? 3.Make a plan and execute it NOW  Go ahead and wean?  Background weaned calves?  Cull heavily  Develop a ration

Can we manipulate requirements? Peak Lactation: CP: 12% TDN: 60% Late Lactation: CP: 9% TDN: 55% Dry Cow: CP: 7% TDN: 48%

Nutritional Requirements of Weaned Calves Medium-frame steer calves Wt (lb) Daily Gain (lb) Crude Protein (%) TDN (%) Know the requirements to keep calves gaining Remember:  Gain and health = $$$$  Health is a function of immunity and nutrition

Available Forages TEST FORAGES!!!! Grazed Forage? Corn Silage Drought stressed crops Hay produced High quality??? Low quality???

Suitable for: Forage CP (%) TDN (%) Peak Lactation Late Lactation Dry Cow Fair Hay748No Yes Average Hay1055NoYes Good Hay1260Yes Wheat Straw3.541No Oat Straw4.445No Drought Stressed Corn~6.5~58NoYes Peanut Hay1150No Yes Potential Forages

ForageCP (%)TDN (%) Late LactationDry Cow 4-5 cwt Calves lb/head/day Poor Forage<5< Fair Forage Average Forage Good Forage Excellent>12> Can be a 50:50 of an energy and protein supplement Energy supplements: Soybean hulls, citrus pulp, grain, hominy Protein supplements: Dried distillers grains, corn gluten feed, cottonseed meal, soybean meal, canola meal, sunflower meal 2 To maintain 2 lb per day weight gain Potential Supplement Strategies 1

What if hay is not available? Hay replacement rations Consider weaning calves Utilize a roughage source such as peanut hulls, cottonseed hulls, cotton residue, corn residue, gin trash Consider weaning calves Utilize a roughage source such as peanut hulls, cottonseed hulls, cotton residue, corn residue, gin trash Ingredient Dry Cow Late Lact. ---% of ration--- Roughage6045 Energy and/or byproduct feed 4045 Protein Source --10

Ingredient$/tonHay Hay Replacement Fair Hay (48% TDN, 7% CP) $ %-- Peanut Hulls$6060 Citrus Pulp$ Corn Gluten Feed$ Daily Intake, lbs25 Cost/hd $1.25 $1.55 Is buying hay the economic choice? Hay replacement rations (1200 lb dry cow)

Stretching out hay – Is there room for improvement Tremendous amount of nutrients can be lost through storage and feeding So why feed hay???  Source of nutrients in the winter  Insurance Can we improve? Tremendous amount of nutrients can be lost through storage and feeding So why feed hay???  Source of nutrients in the winter  Insurance Can we improve? L. Stewart, UGA Extension Storage 20-45% loss Feeding 10-30% loss

Storage options 1.Outside on the ground 2.Separation from the ground 3.Tarp 4.Tarp + separation 5.Barn/Roof 6.Other 1.Outside on the ground 2.Separation from the ground 3.Tarp 4.Tarp + separation 5.Barn/Roof 6.Other

Moisture distribution of twine wrapped alfalfa/grass round bales stored on the ground or pallets Shinners, U of Wisconsin Soil ContactPallet

Moisture distribution of net wrapped vs. twine wrapped alfalfa/grass round bales stored on the ground Shinners, University of Wisconsin Net Wrapped Twine Wrapped

Storage Losses Source: Forage Crop Pocket Guide

Storage Method Up to 9 Months12-18 Months Dry Matter Loss (%) Exposed Ground Elevated Covered Ground Elevated Under Roof Enclosed Barn <22-5 Round Bale DM Loss Hunke, OK State

Storage Method Up to 9 Months12-18 Months DM Loss (%) Cost of usable Hay ($)DM Loss (%) Cost of usable Hay ($) Exposed Ground Elevated Covered Ground Elevated Under Roof Enclosed Barn < Cost of DM Loss Hunke, OK State Assuming $100/ton

Method of Feeding Hay Unrolling Feeding Bale – up to 50% loss Ring – 6% loss Wagon – 11% loss

Is it Worth Unrolling? Advantages:  Equal intake among cows  Reduce hoof action on soil  Redistribute nutrients  Control amount fed Disadvantages:  Extra piece of equipment  Unroll large amount = feeding loss Advantages:  Equal intake among cows  Reduce hoof action on soil  Redistribute nutrients  Control amount fed Disadvantages:  Extra piece of equipment  Unroll large amount = feeding loss

Ingredient$/tonHay Hay Replacement Fair Hay (48% TDN, 7% CP) $100 $140? 100%-- Peanut Hulls$6060 Citrus Pulp$ Corn Gluten Feed$ Daily Intake, lbs25 Cost/hd $1.25 $1.75? $1.55 Is buying hay the economic choice? Hay replacement rations (1200 lb dry cow)