Cow Calf: How Much Hay Do I Feed??
12/11/2009 02:49PM
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With “Ole Man Winter” greeting us rather rudely, cows are going to require plenty of available feed to maintain body condition throughout the next few months. In some situations, the standing forage in the pasture or in the form of crop residue will provide much of the energy requirements of the cows. However, snow cover in many areas, as well as low quantities of grass or stalks may require that harvested and stored hay is made available to the cows. How much hay will the cow eat voluntarily? How much hay do I need to plan to feed this winter? How much hay do I need to put out for the next few days?
These questions are all part of the decisions that ranchers must make each winter. Intake in forage fed to cattle is generally limited by the forage capacity of the digestive tract. Forage intake is correlated with forage quality as shown in the table below. The more rapid rate of digestion and passage of higher quality forage results in considerably higher dry matter intake compared to lower quality forage that is lower in digestibility.
Lactation represents the greatest need for additional energy beyond that needed for maintenance. An average milking beef cow requires 50% more TDN or energy than she does when dry. It should be noted that lactating cows consume more forage compared to gestating cows due to the increased energy demand.
Large cows will require more energy than will small cows. Therefore the hay or forage requirements are calculated based on a percentage of the body weight of the cow. Be honest with yourself as you estimate cow size and therefore hay amounts that are needed.
Source: Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Extension Cattle Reproduction Specialist