Reduce Feed Costs as Much as possible this Fall/Winter

This year in Virginia with many areas experiencing drought conditions, higher transportation rates, potential supply shortfalls and higher energy costs most producers should evaluate their winter-feeding plans. Regardless, of whether a producer falls into the low-, mid-, or high-cost category, feed costs can account for more than 25-30 percent of the cost of production. Feed costs, reflect the first or second highest annual cost associated with cattle ownership, and second only to the original purchase price or grow out costs (included in total) of raised livestock. The use of supplemental feed (hay or concentrate) may be beneficial to livestock, especially for growing animals, animals in the latter stages of gestation, lactating animals, or during periods of reduced forage growth (i.e., drought, winter). Most producers could substantially reduce their winter feed costs by carefully considering their forage production management practices. Reducing input costs associated with hay production and feeding (regardless of whether the hay is produced on-farm or purchased off-farm) or concentrate-type feeds, can help to improve the profitability of livestock production systems. This article discusses management practices that can reduce the costs associated with livestock winter feeding programs. 

Hay Feeding

Hay should be fed using a manger or hay ring to decrease the amount of hay that is wasted. If a manger or hay ring is not used, livestock will render much of the hay useless by urinating, defecating, and bedding on the hay material. The result of the wasted material significantly increases the hay cost.

If possible, hay should be fed in the afternoon. Studies on hay feeding suggest that animal performance is better when animals are forced to spend the morning and early afternoon foraging on standing dormant forages and then receive hay. Animals that were fed hay in the morning generally spent most of their time loafing around the feeding area waiting on the next hay feeding time. 

 Alternatives to Feeding Hay

 The use of hay can be critical to livestock survival during times of reduced forage production or during periods of snow cover. Although hay will probably never be completely eliminated from livestock production systems, some Virginia producers feed too much hay for too long a period of time. In fact, it is not unusual to see many producers feed hay for 5 to 6 months. This type of feeding program is expensive, especially when producers could be pasturing their livestock.

Stockpiled Forage

One alternative to feeding hay is the use of stockpiled forages. Stockpiling is the process of allowing forage to accumulate in the pasture for grazing at a later time. There are two distinct advantages to using stockpiled forage.

The first is that the producer is not out the expense of baling the forage, hauling the hay to the barn or other storage location, and then hauling the hay back to the livestock at a later date. The savings that can be realized from using stockpiled forages relative to hay production and feeding can be substantial. Thus, the use of stockpiled forage can significantly decrease costs of livestock winter-feeding programs. The other advantage is that the producer is not forced to feed hay during inclement weather except with the exception of heavy snow or ice.

The use of stockpiled forage is not new. Producers who use larger acreages have utilized stockpiled forage for winter grazing for many years. In fact, hay is not generally fed on acreages except during periods of heavy snow cover. What many people don’t often realize is that they can take advantage of existing forages like fescue stockpiled forage for winter grazing.

Tall fescue is an excellent choice as a stockpiled forage because it maintains nutritive value well as a standing forage. Protein availability in stockpiled fescue can exceed many harvested forage supplies.  However, in some instances energy would be the limiting factor for cattle grazing stockpiled forages and that some energy supplementation would be required, especially for young or thin animals.

It is important to control livestock grazing, especially stockpiled forages. Uncontrolled animals will attempt to select the best diet and trample unwanted forage. By using electric fencing or multiple paddocks, producers can enhance forage harvest efficiency and see that little forage is wasted.

Consider Grazing Winter Annuals

Another alternative to the use of hay would be the use of winter annuals like wheat or rye if fencing, water and shelter is available. Some producers have used these type pastures to extend grazing days for many years with good success. Animal performance is generally good to excellent, and the cost of fresh forage relative to animal gain is usually less than that of hay and supplements or supplements alone unless livestock are continuously stocked on pasture. 

Regardless of type forage grass is used for winter feeding, it is critical that producers pay close attention to basic production fundamentals. Soils where the forages will be established should be sampled and fertilizer applied according to soil test recommendations. Without proper fertility, the forage produced can become expensive.

Summary

Many livestock producers have high feeding costs because of one or more of the following:

1. Use of hay that is low in nutritive value
2. Feeding hay for an extended period of time
3. Too much dependence on concentrate feeds
4. Too little use of forages (stockpiled or growing) for winter feeding

Hay that is low in nutritive value results from a poor fertility program, harvested at an advanced stage of maturity, and/or improper care during harvest and storage. Use of inferior hay decreases animal performance and may require the purchase of concentrates to boost animal performance. This may reduce profitability. Likewise, lack of forages for winter feeding programs results in feeding hay and/or concentrates for an extended period of time. This also reduces profitability of the production system. Producers should evaluate their winter- feeding programs and determine if changes should be made to reduce the winter feed costs of their livestock production enterprise. For additional information, contact  cchilds@vt.edu or your county agricultural Extension agent.