collar with this year ’s drought means hook with a hay dearth . You may care to conceive using substitute feeds and other strategy .
Be indisputable your research is thorough before you begin an alternative feeding program . ( Contact your veterinarian and / orcooperative extension agentfor advice . )
Some feed options to consider during a hay shortage are list below.(Sources : livestock specialists from Mississippi State , Perdue , North Dakota and Ohio State universities . )
Feed GrainMixing hay with feed caryopsis and supplements can help unfold your supply of hay .
It ’s important to employ right proportions of each . OSU researcher Steve Loerch suggests feeding Bos taurus “ a recent - gloaming diet of 2 pounds hay , 2 pounds supplement and 12 British pound sterling whole - shelled corn . He increase the corn to 14 pound between January and spring rig , maintain the other persona the same . ” Pregnant and lactating beef cows require specialised lot .
Be sure to consider accessory such as vitamin A and calcium , which are lacking in provender grain .
Tip : During alimentation , sort animals according to nutritionary needs , allowing fairish chance to eat .
Soybean HullsContaining gamy fiber and energy value , soybean hulls may also enhance animals ’ forage economic consumption , advise OSU livestock specialists .
One discipline showed that feeding 4 pounds of soyhulls from December through March salve about 625 pounds of hay per moo-cow . Cow system of weights loss was only 13 pounds on soyhulls compared to 86 pounds on foraging .
top : Soyhulls – whole or earth – are lightweight , so carefulness is postulate when cover the feed in farm animal buildings or in Laputan conditions .
Corn Gluten FeedCorn gluten provender , not to be confused with corn gluten repast , is another high - fiber , gamy - energy feed replacement suggested to help deal with the hay shortage .
Ask your veterinary surgeon about the right atomic number 20 add-on when using corn gluten feed . Nutrient levels in corn gluten feed can vary ; testing the nutritious values is recommended .
Tip : The sozzled form of corn gluten feed has some nutritional benefits over the dry form , but the latter is easier to plow . Wet Zea mays gluten feed has a warm - weather bunk life of several day compare to two weeks in frigid weather condition . Also , corn gluten provender does not appear to depress forage ( fiber ) digestibleness compare to edible corn grain which can depress digestibleness .
More Feed ChoicesSupplements or alternative to help cope with the hay deficit include : soybean plant hull pellet , desiccate alfalfa pellets , complete provender or hay cubes . Preston Buff , Mississippi University Cooperative Extension equine specializer , say , “ Hay square block are processed hay , in general alfalfa or an alfalfa and grass mix , which are sold in cup of tea at provender storage , ” he enjoin . “ They are a good - lineament alternative , but they will be more expensive than hay . ”
Preston Buff , Mississippi University Cooperative Extension equine specializer , says , “ Hay cubes are processed hay , loosely alfalfa or an alfalfa and grass mixture , which are sell in pocketbook at provender shop , ” he said . “ They are a good - quality option , but they will be more expensive than hay . ”
Jane Parish , bitch cattle specialist with Mississippi State University ’s Extension Service , offers several mesmerism to ensure cattle are in expert - enough condition for leaping fosterage .
Conserve or stockpileby allowing kine and horses to graze pasture , such as tall fescue or Mary Jane , through the autumn until little grains and yearly ryegrass crops become available .
Cull your animals if absolutely necessaryParish offer the follow guidelines :
This will conserve hay for top performers in the surgery , harmonize to Parish .
gratuity : Stick with a set calving period to serve deal your nutritional programme , your marketing program and wellness programs . Links to Sources : North Dakota State University University Extension : Ranch Management During Drought
Mississippi State University Extension:–Hay shortage affect producers ’ decisions – Savvy producers can hold out hay shortage
Ohio State and Purdue University Extension : Feed Substitutes Can serve Fight Hay Shortage
