As sure as the turning of the world being in winter means having to buy feed. The reason for that is that during this time, forages go dormant and provide less for animals. Though they do not like it, producers must buy supplements to feed their animals during this time.
The problem that happens during this time, though, is that most producers tend to spend less money when buying feed. They buy what they usually have without considering whether it is really what they need at this time or not. The other side of that coin is that some producers need to provide more, being content on going with the least cost. Unfortunately, neither option is the best.
When it comes to providing supplements, the goal is to be the most efficient. You want to ensure that the animal’s nutritional needs are being met without breaking the bank. Skimping on nutrition can affect production as well as profitability. But also you only want to spend what you can get back. Here are five suggestions for reducing your overall feed costs without sacrificing production.
Use the correct type of feed.
Using the correct feed type is often the part where some people can get tripped up. They just put out anything that looks good and hope for the best. Making sure that you put out the right kind of feed is essential. After all, not all feed is created equal and provides the same outcome.
When it comes to winter supplements, the main one that people go with is hay. Generally, hay is cheaper than other supplements such as cake or textured feed. The problem is that even if you put out hay, that does not mean the nutritional needs are being met. You will still need to provide a different supplement with hay. In order to make sure that you are using your money effectively, you will need to have your hay tested to know what nutrients are being provided and what needs to be supplemented.
Another mistake some people need to correct is comparing the sticker prices of different supplements. Just because something is cheaper does not always mean that it is the best option. Often, you will have to provide more of the cheaper ones to get the same result, which is just a waste of money. Whenever you are comparing supplement feed, do it on a cost per pound of, say, protein. This tactic will give you a more “apples-to-apples” comparison.
Group by body condition score
It is a simple fact that cows with different body condition scores have different nutrient requirements. Cows in a BCS of 5 or 6 will not have the same needs as those in a BCS of 3. Dividing your herd into groups with similar body condition scores will help you be more efficient with your feeds.
Another way this can help is by giving the thinner ones more access to feed. The thinner ones are often the more timid ones out of the herd, so they do not get as much of a chance to eat as the more assertive ones. By dividing the group and removing that hierarchy, the timid ones can get an opportunity to eat what they need.
From a management standpoint, dividing the herd up makes sense as well. Putting the cows into different groups will help you with any culling decisions that you might need to make. If you group the more timid ones together and they are still performing poorly, it is likely time to get rid of them.
Maximizing grazing
It goes without saying that the cheapest feed that you can have is the forages in the pasture. The more they can get their nutrition from the grasses, the less feed you will need to buy. Extending your grazing season is always an excellent way to reduce your feed costs.
One way that you can improve grazing is to promote better grazing distribution. Having a pasture full of high-quality grass does you no good if the cows only stay close to where the water is. You can promote a more even grazing distribution by strategically placing supplements. You start by placing them close to where they like to congregate, then start moving them further to get them to other parts of the pasture.
Though it is a little late now, another way that you can extend your grazing season is by using cool-season grasses. The type that you use will determine how much more grazing you will get. A good one like wheat can extend it from November 1 all the way to March 1. Also, using a small grain like wheat can add to your profitability by providing a second income from harvesting it also.
Make sure mineral intake is correct.
Consistent intake of good-quality minerals is the key to any nutritional program. When the animal’s mineral needs are met, they can better digest and absorb the other feeds. So, in order to be the most efficient with your winter supplements, make sure that they have access to a good mineral.
Now, this does not mean that any old mineral supplement will do. Phosphorus is one of the most essential minerals during the winter months. It is high in grains like corn or dried distiller grains but is not so high in forages. This mineral is a crucial element in their body’s energy transfer. It is also an essential component in their bones and teeth.
Over-consumption in the short-term is not that big of a problem and can happen if they have not had access to it before then. It can also occur if forage protein is lacking. If they are eating too much of it, one way to stop that is by moving the feeder further away from where they like to hang out. If they are eating less than they should, you can move it closer or mix it with something like dried molasses or something like soybean meal to make it more palatable.
Avoid hay waste
Properly storing your hay is one way to reduce waste. The best way to keep them is inside a building. However, if that is not an option, then a well-drained pad such as gravel will do. Also, stack the bales far enough apart to let proper airflow. I go into more detail on the better ways to store your hay in a previous article, “5 rules for proper hay storage”.
To get the best return, use the right type of hay in the correct order. Since the nutrient demand is low, you can use your older or lower-quality hay earlier in the season. Then, as the season progresses and the cows enter the later stages of gestation, they start putting out the better quality.
You can also waste hay based on how you lay it out. Putting out a smaller amount more frequently will make less waste. The type of hay feeder that you use will also influence this. According to research, the most efficient hay feeder is the cone style, where only 3-10% of the hay is wasted. They found that switching to a conde feeder resulted in reducing winter hay costs by %53 per head.
