Expert Recommends Limit-Feeding Hay

Jan. 24, 2012 Source: Farm Talk

Specialist offers advice on getting the most out of your winter feed stockpile.

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Beef producers faced with limited standing and stored forage may be able to significantly reduce hay needs this winter.

Limit-feeding hay, reducing hay waste and feeding an ionophore can decrease winter hay needs by a third, says Dave Lalman, Oklahoma State University beef specialist.

Although not a good option for already-thin cows or heifers, limit-feeding can reduce intake by 20-25%.

The reduction can be accomplished by limiting hay access to six hours/day or providing a reduced daily allotment of flakes or unrolled hay.

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Anonymous (not verified)

on Jan 24, 2012

If you feed cows 2 pounds of cottonseed meal and 4 ounces of mineral 3-7 days a week, the cows will limit the amount of hay they eat themselves. This should not cost over $20 per cow per month if you feed it every day, which is generally not necessary. This comes from the University of Texas extension many years ago. I have used this several times when facing limited forage, and it works great.