Feed costs are the single most significant expense for any cattle producer, often making up as much as half of the total annual costs. These expenses can fluctuate dramatically depending on the season and forage conditions. In drought situations, feed costs can even climb to 70% of the total yearly expenditure, posing a real challenge for ranchers.
While reducing feed costs might seem like a daunting task, especially when trying to maintain production levels, it’s important to remember that it’s not an impossible feat. Many might think cutting feed expenses means sacrificing herd productivity, but that’s not necessarily true. The profitable producer knows that boosting productivity is the key to a successful operation, and there are innovative strategies to manage costs without compromising performance. You can significantly reduce your feed costs and optimize your operation with the right approach.
In this post, we’ll walk you through five practical steps to reduce feed costs while keeping your cattle performing at their best. We’ll share tips on optimizing forage management, choosing the right supplements, and fine-tuning your feeding strategies. Stick around to discover how a few well-planned moves can help you save money and boost your bottom line.
Supercharge Your Pasture
Forages are the building blocks for any successful cattle operation. When there are enough good-quality forages for your cattle to consume, it is easier to be profitable. But how can you increase your forage production?
The first step in increasing forage production is conducting a soil test. A soil test, more than others, affects the economic efficiency of your forage production. When you know what nutrients your plants need, you can fertilize and lime as needed to help ensure good yields in your pastures.
Keeping weeds in check is critical in improving both forage quantity and quality. When there is more competition from your more undesirable plants, productivity will improve. When weeds are allowed to take over a pasture, your land’s overall grazing capability will decrease. Not to mention that according to Jeff Clark with Corteva Agriscience, these weeds compete with forages for necessary moisture.
Some may think that their land has a certain stocking rate, but in reality, its carrying capacity is much lower than that. So, knowing your place’s “real” stocking rate is essential. I discuss finding out what your real stocking rate is in a previous article, “Estimating your grazeable acreage.”
Another part of this step is realizing that improving overall forage production is an investment. You will not likely see results overnight, but if you do it right, you will see an improvement in your bottom line.
Know Your Forage Value
Knowing exactly what nutrients your forages provide is the first step toward making smart decisions about cattle supplementation. Since the nutrient content of your pasture can change throughout the year, it’s essential to test your forages at different times. With this insight, you can determine whether your cattle are getting enough and decide which supplements, if any, are needed to fill the nutritional gaps.
Factors Affecting Forage Quality
Forage quality depends on several factors that can vary from one season to the next. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
- Soil Type: Different soils (sandy, clay, loamy) affect nutrient availability and water retention.
- Rainfall: The timing and amount of rain can either boost or leach nutrients from the soil.
- Grazing Management: How and when you rotate your herd impacts the health and nutrient content of your forages.
- Fertilization Practices: The type and timing of fertilizer applications play a big role in forage nutrient levels.
- Stage of Maturity: Younger forages tend to be more nutrient-rich compared to older, more fibrous plants.
From Guesswork to Informed Decisions
When testing hay bales, separating them into lots based on their cutting is crucial. First-cutting hay generally has higher nutrient levels than third-cutting hay because of its stage of production. Relying solely on visual assessments without a proper forage analysis is like guessing blindly—and you may end up wasting money on unnecessary supplements. By regularly testing and understanding your forages, you can tailor your supplementation program precisely to your cattle’s needs, ensuring both improved performance and cost efficiency. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions that can significantly impact your bottom line.
Cut Hay Waste, Save Money
Hay can represent the single largest feed cost for a cow producer, and this cost does not just include the hay itself. You also have to take into account the cost of the equipment used, fuel, and fertilizer. Hay costs between $0.02 and $0.07 per pound of dry matter, which can be more than double the price of other sources.
How you store and feed the hay will play a role in reducing any potential waste. According to a study by Oklahoma State, losses during storage can amount to up to 50% of the total bale. I don’t know about you, but I do not have the money to end up with only half of my bale being any good.
The key thing to know is that you will want to keep the bales protected from the elements. You, the producer, can do this by covering them with a tarp or placing them on a bed of gravel to improve drainage. If you are feeling really ambitious, you can even build a covered building to store them in. I mentioned the ways to store hay properly in a previous article, “5 rules for proper hay storage.”
How you feed a bale of hay will determine the amount of waste. You should place it in some kind of rack, such as a hay ring. Studies have shown that not using a type of rack for hay can lead to losses of up to 40% of the bale.
Select Cows for Maximum Efficiency
One way to reduce feed costs is to use genetics to select more efficient cows. Some cows have a genetic disposition to be more efficient than others.
The size of your cows will also affect total feed costs. Though it may be better to have larger cattle, they will require more feed. Maintenance energy can represent 70% to 75% of the total energy consumed. That means that larger sizes will require more feed to meet their basic requirements.
But larger cows mean more pounds when weaning, right? Researchers in Wisconsin have found that smaller cows can wean more pounds of calf per pound of feed. They also found that increasing the amount of feed that the larger cows consumed did not improve weaning weights.
With the recent advancements in genetic research, it is now easier than ever to select cows with the traits we want them to have. Looking at EPDs is an excellent place to start, but ultimately, it is up to you as the producer. If you keep good records, you can know which cows are more efficient than others and cull the ones that aren’t.
Extend Grazing Season, Lower Costs
Extending the grazing season is a smart way to cut down on feed costs. When cows can graze longer on quality forages, they need fewer supplements, which saves you money over time. By maximizing the natural feed available, you’re letting nature do the heavy lifting for your operation.
One effective strategy is to incorporate cool-season grasses into your pastures. These grasses can extend your grazing season by 60 to 90 days, pushing it into late fall or even early winter. Choosing perennial varieties that are well-suited to your local climate is crucial. After all, a grass that won’t thrive in your area won’t do you any favors. Don’t forget, legumes are a great all-around choice, too, as they add extra nutrients and boost forage quality.
Timing is everything when planning your grazing strategy. You’ll want to select either cool-season or warm-season grasses that hit peak production right when your current forage quality begins to drop. A well-timed switch ensures your cows always have access to nutritious feed. Your local seed supplier can be a valuable resource to help you determine which varieties will work best for your specific conditions.
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