OT which hay to feed, when

Dave from MN · Jul 23, 2008

Alright, I am bringing the hay home about 1/2 done. I have some bales which are reed canary, with some timothy and that finer stuff in it, but is mostly reed canary(60-70%), I also have big, big bales of finer grasses with some legumes, kind of stuff horse people would just love if they have finicky horses. Which is the better summer feed, and which is the better winter feed. The cows will be bred in the next month. Any advice is appreciated. As always.

Poncho Sanchez · Jul 23, 2008

any of the hay is fine for cattle. they need around 10% protein or so and anything over that is waste. you don't want a cow too fat for that causes trouble when breeding and then again when birthing.

thurlow · Jul 23, 2008

Surely you're not feeding hay this time of year? Maybe that's normal for MN?

Heat Houser · Jul 23, 2008

If you have some hay that has been rained on and the cows turn up their noses at it, feed it in the winter time just before a storm. They will eat anything then. I set out my poorer hay and then set out some good stuff during/after the storm.

Chad Franke · Jul 23, 2008

I don't know just what Reed Canary is like (remember the name from range judging, but don't remember any feed value stuff) but I would guess the legumes would be higher energy, I would say you will want to save that for the cold in the winter, it takes a lot for a cow to stay warm in the middle of winter, and you don't want a cow hurting on condition going into calving...

Dave from MN · Jul 23, 2008

I am keeping a bale of hay in a feeder to supplement my pasture. 1st year this woods was pastured, was tons of grass in areas, nothing but brush in most. Cows have cleaned it up good and I will be working up the areas with no grass and be seeding in a pasture mix this fall when the rain is more predictable. I got a good deal on some good cows and this first year in a new pasture isnt the best so I supplement. A few will say I am losing money, but they dont know what I paid for the cows and what my hay costs were. Kind of like the guys that criticize some one for wanting to farm and having to start out buying a few things and having to borror (barter) for what they dont, but next year things should come together. It is easy for some oen to say sell some cows, but I couldnt buy them back for anywhere near what I paid. Do farmers only farm the ground they have grain storage for?? Some yes, most no.

Mike (WA) · Jul 23, 2008

How tall was the canarygrass when you cut it? My experience is some real palatability issues with canarygrass, especially when it gets a little tough and mature. Horses seem to like it better than cattle. They may need to get a little hungry before they eat it.

randallinMo · Jul 24, 2008

If the cows will be bred next month, I'm assuming they have calves on them now. RIGHT NOW is when their nutrition requirements are the highest. They are feeding the calf, plus trying to gain weight so as to breed back quickly. Feed them the best hay NOW. You want them "on a gaining plane of nutrition" prior to breeding. You can save the lesser quality hay for after weaning.

OT which hay to feed, when

Dave from MN

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Poncho Sanchez

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thurlow

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Heat Houser

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Chad Franke

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Dave from MN

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Mike (WA)

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randallinMo

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