Short forage – Big problems

I hear it every day.   All across Oklahoma ranchers are looking at short winter pastures, scarce and expensive hay, and high supplement costs.  The temptation is to hope that the cows can make the winter and then everything will be better next year.  Unfortunately for some producers who fail to meet the nutritional demands, there will not be a next year.   Years ago I had a mentor that reminded me often, “You just can’t starve a profit out of them.”

In times of scarce forage, toxicity problems are intensified.  Lots of corn stalks and other crop residues have been baled this year.  One of the big problems in baled crop residues is accumulated nitrates.  It can also be a problem in the big stemmed tall cultivated grasses.  We don’t normally associate nitrate toxicity problems with Bermuda or prairie hay, but it can occur in drought years, especially if the hay was baled late and has a significant amount of pig weed or curly dock.  These plants are nitrate accumulators and in dry times their growth can outrun the growth of the grass.  Nitrates can cause death of the cattle consuming the hay, but they cause abortion in cows at an even lower level.   If the nitrate levels are high it can’t be used for livestock unless it is ground and thoroughly and diluted with other feeds.  If the nitrate levels are suspect the hay may be used by feeding it to non-pregnant yearlings.  Bova Pro® boluses can help cattle compensate for moderate nitrate levels.  If there is any doubt, especially with crop residues, sorghums, sudan, johnsongrass, or weedy hay, have the hay tested for nitrates.  The few dollars you spend can save a disaster.

As ponds and creeks get lower, the water not only gets foul but also minerals and toxins become more concentrated.  Sulfur amounts that may not be a problem in a pond at normal level can easily exceed toxic levels in low ponds and result in poor performance or death.  Bluegreen algae is a problem that causes sudden death and is usually found in pond water in the summer.   This year, however, the OSU Diagnostic Lab is still finding bluegreen algae in water samples submitted.   Old or thin cows may expire in the mud trying to get to drinkable water.  This will likely be more and more of a problem as the winter progresses.  Perhaps the biggest and most widespread water problem producers face is decreased consumption.  As ruminants, cattle not only require water for metabolic functions but also for digestive functions.  Many ponds still have water, and the cows are drinking it, but it is so foul tasting and smelling that they only drink minimal amounts.  The rumen can’t work properly if it isn’t full of water.  If you are not providing clean water in sufficient quantities for cows to consume adequate amounts, you may be wasting the high priced supplemental feed you are paying for.