Feed value of drought grass

jon f mn · Jul 18, 2021

This is fairly clean grass that has no last years stand in it, it's
just brown from drought. Does it have much feed value
anymore? It was pasture last year so it was eaten down
pretty well. I cut some to use as bedding but there is more left
and I could use some more hay. Is there any value in it for
that? It's very hilly and some rocks, so no joy to cut, so I don't
want to waste effort if there is nothing good in it.

rockcreek4630 · Jul 18, 2021

All depends on type of grass I would take some and have it tested your local feed dealer or elevator should be able to help.

Hoofer B · Jul 18, 2021

Take it. I bet it will look good come March. Bill

72supr · Jul 18, 2021

Nothing wrong with it. It will look real good when it is rolled up in a bale.

jm. · Jul 18, 2021

Old fold would say sure beats a snow ball LOL

M Nut · Jul 18, 2021

It will sure be better than a snowball. There are swamp holes being cut for hay near me that havent been cut in at least 10 years. Id take it while you can.

cjunrau · Jul 18, 2021

I have found there is more value in it on a dry year than wet. I have seen cattle fed just ditch hay which looks exactly like that and do better on that than alfalfa

Bruce from Can. · Jul 18, 2021

I would cut and bale it. The feed value in terms of crude protein will be low, probably 8-10%, but you can fill some beef cattle up with poor quality roughage, and give them some grain corn to boost the energy, and they will do fine. And if you dont need to feed it, there will be some guy out there that will be only to glad to buy it from you, so he can bump his cattle through the end of winter.

Traditional Farmer · Jul 18, 2021

I'd cut it,can always feed some protein blocks a long with it.

Doug Wi · Jul 18, 2021

The poorest hay is better then the best snowball

john in la · Jul 18, 2021

Not knowing if or what with this field may have been fertilized with; what type of grass it is; and other conditions; I can not really comment.

But I suggest you at least google nitrate poisoning from drought stricken pasture and read about it.

dahlin · Jul 18, 2021

If not hay it will at least make bedding

teddy52food · Jul 18, 2021

The horse people may want it.

IowaJohn · Jul 18, 2021

can you grind it with better hay? Around here folks bale cornstalks and grind them together with good hay. I used to do it until I sold the cows.

db4600 · Jul 18, 2021

One of the sons of the family that homesteaded the I grew up on told stories of the 30s and how the cows took to eating hazel brush. Told stories of cutting thistles so the cattle could eat them backwards and cutting brush and piling it in pasture where the cattle would forage on it until it was barkless sticks.
Like Hoofer says, it might look pretty good come March.

onefarmer · Jul 18, 2021

I'd bale it just in case. As AllanNE used to say Better than snowballs come January.

coonie minnie · Jul 18, 2021

Drought stressed hay is usually better quality than hay cut in the same stage of maturity that had ample water. Ideally, this should have been cut several weeks ago it appears, but that isn't an option now. I'd take it, especially if you need hay.

casecollectorsc · Jul 18, 2021

Dad use to say anything to make a turd.....

paul · Jul 18, 2021

In a good year of nice hay making I can put up beautiful small squares and get $1.50 for some of the nicest bales I ever make....

Then a drought year I baled first cutting hay in August you can imagine how poor that over ripe hay was and it brought $4.50 a bale.

Id cut it if hay was short where you are, someone will value it if you dont need it.

Paul

ss55 · Jul 19, 2021

Some years when feed is in short supply and expensive you can be money ahead to sell the feeder calves and sell the feed for cash rather than finish out the calves. Crunch the numbers, and include the value of your labor, what you loose on the calves you more than make up on the extra cash for the feed. Fewer livestock chores can free up a lot of labor hours for other projects too.

RJKeith · Jul 19, 2021

I'd cut it, square bale a few bales, and take those to the local coop and see it they can test it. Then you will know what you have. Worst case you can use it for bedding. Or grind it and add supplement.

Bret4207 · Jul 19, 2021

Absolutely take it. It will feed out way better than snowballs and cold wind! I bet you find a lot more green in it than you think you will! Just don't cut it super low tot he ground. When you do get rain it'll come back much faster if it's cut a bit higher and you may get 2nd cut this fall.

Super H Mike · Jul 19, 2021

Looks fine to my eye, I would go for it especially if you may run short over winter. I hate being the buyer in March and being at the mercy of hay jockeys selling moldy garbage for sky high prices.

Texasmark · Jul 20, 2021

Feed it with range cubes. If they won't eat it, get out your pump up sprayer with farm molasses diluted with water so that it will spray and spray it....they'll love it. Ruminants need the bulk. On feed value cut a wad, put it in a paper sack inside a plastic bag and send it to your state Ag, school for analysis.

steve in ok · Jul 20, 2021

Granddad always said about low quality hay "It may not make a cowpile but it will push one out." In the dead of winter it will be good filler.

Feed value of drought grass

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