By Scout Nelson
Hay, a crucial component in livestock feeding, demands careful handling to avoid wastage, which can be costly. Poor feeding practices can lead to a loss of 25% to 45% of hay due to trampling, overconsumption, or being used for bedding by cattle.
To reduce hay waste, it's advised to feed only a day's supply at a time. Research indicates that providing a four-day supply leads to overeating and 20% to 30% more hay wastage compared to daily feeding. This can result in substantial cost increases per cow over a feeding period. Ensuring all animals have equal feeding space prevents dominant cows from hindering others from eating their fair share.
Restricting hay access is another effective method. Utilizing bale racks or rings prevents animals from trampling or scattering the hay. If bales are unrolled or ground for feeding, placing an electric fence alongside can be beneficial in keeping cows from damaging the hay.
Balanced rations are crucial. Overfeeding protein leads to its wastage through excretion. Hence, providing just enough energy and protein is essential for efficient feeding.
When assessing the quality of grass hay, many producers rely on the Relative Feed Value (RFV). This measure, initially designed for legumes like alfalfa, often undervalues grass hays due to their higher, yet more digestible, fiber content. The Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) is a more accurate alternative for grasses, taking into account the digestibility of fiber.
While RFV and RFQ are useful for benchmarking production and market comparison, they are less effective in ration planning. In such cases, focusing on RFQ provides a more accurate representation of grass hay quality.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ianchrisgraham
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Hay & Forage, Livestock