Hay - feed value

just do it

How many in-calf dry suckler cows would a round bale of hay feed for a day?

Sam Kade

Half a small square bale a day for a dry dairy cow was what we were told long ago. So if there are 10 small bales in 1 round bale then 1 bale should feed 20 cows. Suckler cows probably eat more.

PatQfarmer

just do it wrote: »

How many in-calf dry suckler cows would a round bale of hay feed for a day?

My father always budgets 18 sucklers (Ch/SimX) to bale of hay/day.
He'd be giving them a shake of nuts as well...

reilig

20 cows per bale per day would be what we budget for incalf suckler cows over the winter. We normally have 10 cows per pen and push it up to them morning and evening. When they have their daily allowance gone, they have to wait till the next feeding time. We don't feed ad lib.

just do it

Thanks for replies lads. I think I'll be using hay to fill my fodder deficit this year.

Username John

just do it wrote: »

Thanks for replies lads. I think I'll be using hay to fill my fodder deficit this year.

Hi Just_do_it,

As you know I don't have cattle, so I cant comment on their feeding. But I have been following your grass measuring activity with interest

Maybe you are being cautious in your fodder plans and figures, which is not a bad thing at all given the year we have had...

Given you have much higher quality silage this year, than maybe other years - do you think stretching this out with a cheaper filler like straw would be better?

I am asking as I know you cut your silage sooner (than other years), for quality. But if you still need to plug the gap left by less of this lower silage amount (albeit higher quality) then whats the point?

I know it comes down to price of hay vs straw, and availability of both (bales of hay might be easier to come by in your neck of the woods, given the summer we're having)

But just interested to hear your thinking on buying hay (but maybe its just as simple as you need more fodder)

Sam Kade

Back in the 80's when single suckling was starting to take off because of the premium they used Angus cows crossed with charlaois bull. Some farmers dried off the cows in September to build up cow condition before the winter so they could feed them on straw until calving. I don't know how that worked.

just do it

Username John wrote: »

Hi Just_do_it,

As you know I don't have cattle, so I cant comment on their feeding. But I have been following your grass measuring activity with interest

Maybe you are being cautious in your fodder plans and figures, which is not a bad thing at all given the year we have had...

Given you have much higher quality silage this year, than maybe other years - do you think stretching this out with a cheaper filler like straw would be better?

I am asking as I know you cut your silage sooner (than other years), for quality. But if you still need to plug the gap left by less of this lower silage amount (albeit higher quality) then whats the point?

I know it comes down to price of hay vs straw, and availability of both (bales of hay might be easier to come by in your neck of the woods, given the summer we're having)

But just interested to hear your thinking on buying hay (but maybe its just as simple as you need more fodder)

I've three different groups of cattle, two of which need the good quality silage: yearling heifers being kept as replacements and autumn calvers. Then the third group are the spring calvers. If I can pick up decent enough hay it just makes feeding for the winter simpler.

Last year the silage looked ok but was poor quality and it needed alot of supplementation for the sucklers once they started lactating. So whilst I may have less silage this year, I hope to get away without supplementation except for the younger cows. So for me going for bulk makes no sense if you end up supplementing it!

Username John

just do it wrote: »

I've three different groups of cattle, two of which need the good quality silage: yearling heifers being kept as replacements and autumn calvers. Then the third group are the spring calvers. If I can pick up decent enough hay it just makes feeding for the winter simpler.

Last year the silage looked ok but was poor quality and it needed alot of supplementation for the sucklers once they started lactating. So whilst I may have less silage this year, I hope to get away without supplementation except for the younger cows. So for me going for bulk makes no sense if you end up supplementing it!

Makes sense, just wanted to hear your reasons.