1. Quantity and Quality Lawton Stewart - Extension Beef Specialist The University of Georgia Lawton Stewart - Extension Beef Specialist The University of Georgia Managing Forage Deficits:

5. Lets wait, its gotta rain soon…

7. Develop a plan 1.Where are we in production?  Fall/spring calving  Lactating cows or weaned calves 2.Inventory nutrients and understand their cost  What feeds/forages are on hand?  What feeds/forages can I get?  Can I stretch out my hay?  Is hay my cheapest option? 3.Make a plan and execute it NOW  Go ahead and wean?  Background weaned calves?  Cull heavily  Develop a ration

8. Can we manipulate requirements? Peak Lactation: CP: 12% TDN: 60% Late Lactation: CP: 9% TDN: 55% Dry Cow: CP: 7% TDN: 48%

9. Nutritional Requirements of Weaned Calves Medium-frame steer calves Wt (lb) Daily Gain (lb) Crude Protein (%) TDN (%) 4001.511.563.0 2.012.767.5 2.514.273.5 6001.59.863.0 2.010.567.5 2.511.473.5 8001.58.863.0 2.09.867.5 2.59.373.5 Know the requirements to keep calves gaining Remember:  Gain and health = $$$$  Health is a function of immunity and nutrition

10. Available Forages TEST FORAGES!!!! Grazed Forage? Corn Silage Drought stressed crops Hay produced High quality??? Low quality???

11. Suitable for: Forage CP (%) TDN (%) Peak Lactation Late Lactation Dry Cow Fair Hay748No Yes Average Hay1055NoYes Good Hay1260Yes Wheat Straw3.541No Oat Straw4.445No Drought Stressed Corn~6.5~58NoYes Peanut Hay1150No Yes Potential Forages

12. ForageCP (%)TDN (%) Late LactationDry Cow 4-5 cwt Calves 2 -----------------lb/head/day----------------- Poor Forage<5<4413710 Fair Forage6488.5-8 Average Forage10542-6.5 Good Forage1260--5 Excellent>12>60--3-4 1 Can be a 50:50 of an energy and protein supplement Energy supplements: Soybean hulls, citrus pulp, grain, hominy Protein supplements: Dried distillers grains, corn gluten feed, cottonseed meal, soybean meal, canola meal, sunflower meal 2 To maintain 2 lb per day weight gain Potential Supplement Strategies 1

13. What if hay is not available? Hay replacement rations Consider weaning calves Utilize a roughage source such as peanut hulls, cottonseed hulls, cotton residue, corn residue, gin trash Consider weaning calves Utilize a roughage source such as peanut hulls, cottonseed hulls, cotton residue, corn residue, gin trash Ingredient Dry Cow Late Lact. ---% of ration--- Roughage6045 Energy and/or byproduct feed 4045 Protein Source --10

14. Ingredient$/tonHay Hay Replacement Fair Hay (48% TDN, 7% CP) $100 100%-- Peanut Hulls$6060 Citrus Pulp$225--20 Corn Gluten Feed$215--20 Daily Intake, lbs25 Cost/hd $1.25 $1.55 Is buying hay the economic choice? Hay replacement rations (1200 lb dry cow)

15. Stretching out hay – Is there room for improvement Tremendous amount of nutrients can be lost through storage and feeding So why feed hay???  Source of nutrients in the winter  Insurance Can we improve? Tremendous amount of nutrients can be lost through storage and feeding So why feed hay???  Source of nutrients in the winter  Insurance Can we improve? L. Stewart, UGA Extension Storage 20-45% loss Feeding 10-30% loss

16. Storage options 1.Outside on the ground 2.Separation from the ground 3.Tarp 4.Tarp + separation 5.Barn/Roof 6.Other 1.Outside on the ground 2.Separation from the ground 3.Tarp 4.Tarp + separation 5.Barn/Roof 6.Other

17. Moisture distribution of twine wrapped alfalfa/grass round bales stored on the ground or pallets Shinners, U of Wisconsin Soil ContactPallet

18. Moisture distribution of net wrapped vs. twine wrapped alfalfa/grass round bales stored on the ground Shinners, University of Wisconsin Net Wrapped Twine Wrapped

19. Storage Losses Source: Forage Crop Pocket Guide

20. Storage Method Up to 9 Months12-18 Months Dry Matter Loss (%) Exposed Ground 5-2015-50 Elevated 3-1512-35 Covered Ground 5-1010-15 Elevated 2-45-10 Under Roof 2-53-10 Enclosed Barn <22-5 Round Bale DM Loss Hunke, OK State

21. Storage Method Up to 9 Months12-18 Months DM Loss (%) Cost of usable Hay ($)DM Loss (%) Cost of usable Hay ($) Exposed Ground 5-20105-12515-50118-200 Elevated 3-15103-11812-35113-154 Covered Ground 5-10105-11110-15111-118 Elevated 2-5102-1055-10105-111 Under Roof 2-5102-1053-10103-111 Enclosed Barn <2100-1022-5102-105 Cost of DM Loss Hunke, OK State Assuming $100/ton

22. Method of Feeding Hay Unrolling Feeding Bale – up to 50% loss Ring – 6% loss Wagon – 11% loss

23. Is it Worth Unrolling? Advantages:  Equal intake among cows  Reduce hoof action on soil  Redistribute nutrients  Control amount fed Disadvantages:  Extra piece of equipment  Unroll large amount = feeding loss Advantages:  Equal intake among cows  Reduce hoof action on soil  Redistribute nutrients  Control amount fed Disadvantages:  Extra piece of equipment  Unroll large amount = feeding loss

24. Ingredient$/tonHay Hay Replacement Fair Hay (48% TDN, 7% CP) $100 $140? 100%-- Peanut Hulls$6060 Citrus Pulp$225--20 Corn Gluten Feed$215--20 Daily Intake, lbs25 Cost/hd $1.25 $1.75? $1.55 Is buying hay the economic choice? Hay replacement rations (1200 lb dry cow)