Storage and Feeding Economics Hay Management Storage and Feeding Economics By Ken Richardson Modified by Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office June, 2002

Hay Storage Economics Requirements for your herd Methods of storage Costs of different methods Every segment of a beef operation should be analyzed and budgeted

Hay Requirements for a Mature Beef Cow Total days Days Dry Days Lactating Tons Hay 120 90 30 1.05 120 60 60 1.20 150 90 60 1.43 (DD x 15) + (DL x 25) = Tons Hay Based on 15 lbs for Days Dry & 25 lbs for Days Lactating

Hay Requirements for 30 Cow Herd Determine average calving date within hay feeding period. (Feeding hay from December 1 through March 31 (120 d) Average calving date is January 29 Average DD is 60 Average DL is 60 (DD x 15) + (DL x 25) = Tons Hay (60 x 15) + (60 x 25) = 900 + 1500 = 2400 lbs per cow 30 cows x 2400 = 72,000 lbs = 36 Tons Hay Does not allow for any waste

Storage Methods by Rank # 1 Barn Storage # 2 Drained Surface with Plastic Cover # 3 Plastic Sleeve # 4 Net Wrap # 5 Drained Surface # 6 Plastic Cover over Bales # 7 Pyramid Stack with Plastic Cover # 8 Bales Placed on Ground without Cover

Breakeven barn cost for various levels of storage loss and varying hay value at harvest. (Inputs other than storage loss and hay value are not included.) Note: This analysis includes the following assumptions: in-barn stacking height of 3 bales, 10-year barn life, and barn construction cost of $7.50/sq. ft.

A Thief on the Farm Cost of putting up a ton of Bermuda Grass Hay $60.38 A 30% loss to stored bales $18.00

Dry matter loss vs average spoilage depth in round bales of various diameters(volumetric formula).

Equipment or Hay Shelters 40 x 100 x 14 (4000 sq ft) $6,869 + tax ($1.72 sq ft) 50 x 100 x 14 (5000 sq ft $9,018 + tax ($1.80 sq ft) 60 x 100 x 14 (6000 sq ft) $10,560 + tax ($1.76 sq ft) 70 x 100 x 14 (7000 sq ft) $12,102 + tax ($1.73 sq ft) Tyson Inc. FOB Doerun

Costs of Net Wrap Compared to a string wrap baler $1.00 more per bale $3000 more for the baler

Outside Hay Storage Recommendations Store away from trees Flat ends butted tightly together Store on slope North/South Tight bales resists water penetration Storage area located on well-drained site Hay/soil contact avoided (gravel, pallets, old tires) Rounded sides 3 feet apart between rows Reduce fire risk, store in several locations Harrow around storage areas

Key Concepts Regarding Hay Feeding Match hay quality to animal needs Feed animals on well-drained site Feed outside stored hay first Feed in hay racks or other barriers Feed on wagons with hay racks Minimize the amount of hay at one time Force clean up by animals with low nutrient requirements (before feeding more hay)

Great differences can occur in the amount of hay wasted during feeding, depending on management!

Costs of Getting Started Baler $20,000 Tractor (70 hp) $19,000 Mower $ 7,000 Rake $ 2,600 Tedder $ 3,500 Front Loader $ 4,500 $56,600 * Does not include interest

Final Thoughts With a cow herd of 30 cows or less, most farmers are better off to buy hay or have custom baling done on their farm. The other option is to bale their own hay and contract or custom bale for their neighbors.