Winter Feeding Options for Cow-Calf Producers in the Intermountain West. Randy Wiedmeier ADVS Department Utah State University,Logan

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1 Winter Feeding Options for Cow-Calf Producers in the Intermountain West Randy Wiedmeier ADVS Department Utah State University,Logan

2 Feeding the Cow Herd During the Winter The feeding of beef cow herds during winter months has always been problematic. Deep snow cover precludes grazing in most cases. The feeding of mechanically harvested feeds during winter months is common. Consequently the winter feeding of the cow herd can account for 1/4 to 1/3 of the annual cow cost.

3 Feeding the Cow Herd During the Winter Droughts, deep snow, etc. often necessitate the purchase of off-ranch feeds. When off-ranch feed purchases are necessary it is important to formulate the least expensive option. Purchase of low-quality forages (LQF) is sometimes an option under these circumstances.

4 Feeding the Cow Herd During the Winter LQF are classified as follows: 1. Less than 6% Crude Protein (CP) 2. Less than 45% Digestible 3. Deficient in Phosphorus, Many Trace Minerals (Zn,Cu,etc.), and Fat-Soluble Vitamins (A,E).

5 A Few Examples of LQF Forage CP% Digestibility % $/ton $/unit CP $/unit DDM (energy) Cereal straw Mature grass hay Mature alfalfa hay Medium grass hay Medium alfalfa hay

6 If a Beef Cow Requires 12lbs. Of Digestible Dry Matter: forage calculation Amount/cow/ day calculation $/cow/day Cereal straw 12.40= 30 lbs. DM $.0125/lb.= $ Mature grass hay Mature alfalfa hay Medium grass hay Medium alfalfa hay 12.45= 26.7 lbs. DM $.0175/lb.= $ = 26.7 lbs. DM $.0200/lb.= $ = 21.8 lbs. DM $.0300/lb.= $ = 21.1 lbs. DM $.0350/lb.= $0.7385

7 What is a Major Problem Associated With the Table Above? Can an average beef cow consume 25 to 30 lbs. DM from LQF? A more realistic estimate would be 15 to 18 lbs. maximum. The table above considered only energy intake. CP must also be considered.

8 Let s Assume the Beef Cow Requires supplmt Supplmt digestib. % About 2.0 lbs. CP/day DM Intake of LQF, lbs. LQF digestib. % Total DDM Intake, lbs. Total CP Intake lbs. DDM Intake Requird lbs. none lbs. SBM 2.0 lbs. SBM 3.0 lbs. SBM Medium Grass hay CP Intake Requird lbs.

9 Cost Comparison type forage supplement $/cow/day LQF (20.0 $.0125) + (3.0 $.115) = $0.595 Medium grass hay (21.9 $.0300) = $0.657

10 What About Ammoniating LQF?

11 Ammoniating LQF What does it cost? About $17/ton What does it do? Increases Digestibility (40% to 45% unsuppl.) Increases DM intake (16.0 lbs. to 20 lbs.) Increases CP content ( 4% to 8%) What doesn t it do? Has no affect on mineral or vitamin content

12 Comparison Suppl. Suppl Digest. DM intake Amm LQF,lbs. Amm LQF Digest. Total DDM Intake, lbs. CP Intake, lbs. DDM Intake requirmt lbs. CP requirmt lbs. none lbs. SBM Medium Grass hay

13 Cost Comparison type forage supplement $/cow/day Amm LQF 22.5 $.021/lb. 1.0 $.115/lb. $ Medium grass hay $ LQF 20.0 $.0125/lb. 3.0 $.115/lb. $0.5950

14 A Few More Thoughts Regarding Ammoniated LQF Don t ammoniated forages that are greater than 5% CP or more than 45% digestible or a toxicity will result. With proper supplementation ammoniated cereal straws can be the basis of diet for lactating beef cows due to the increase in intake and digestibility. We have also used ammoniated cereal straws extensively in diets used to develop replacement heifers.

15 The Grazing of Standing Whole Corn Plants for the Wintering of Beef Cows

16 Some Advantages of Grazing Corn Corn plants stand above the snow and withstand wind well. Whole corn plants have a high energy content, half of the DM is corn grain(65% digestible). Has tremendous carrying capacity, 7 ton DM/acre. Low cost per unit of digestible DM, $300 cost/acre 7 tons DM/acre = $42.86/ton DM

17 Some Advantages of Grazing Whole Corn Plants $42.86/ton DM 65% Digestible DM = $.6593 Medium Grass hay =$1.091 Due to high energy content cost/cow/day is reduced: 12 lbs.ddm/day.65 = lbs. DM/cow/day lbs.dm $.0214/lb. = $.4000/cow/day lb. NPN $.0567/lb. = $.0567/cow/day Total = $.4567/cow/day Medium grass hay = $.6570/cow/day

18 Managing the Grazing of Standing Whole Corn Plants

19 Managing the Grazing of Standing Whole Corn Plants The cobs go first, be careful! Then the leaves. Make sure they are trained to the electric fence. When you first turn them in, make sure they are not starving.

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21 Can We Graze Fall-Calving Pairs on Standing Whole Corn Plants?

22 Note the electric fence lines Note the calves!

23 Comparison of the Wintering of Fall- Calving Pairs Medium Grass Hay Ammoniated Wheat Straw/ Wheat Middlings Grazing Whole Standing Corn Plants treatment Wintering cost/pair,$ Calf weaning weight Profit/loss Grass hay Amm straw Graze corn

24 Other Comments on Above-Snow Grazing The grazing of forage sorghum was also satisfactory: Requires less irrigation water per unit of DM produced DM production/acre similar to that of corn Digestibility about 59% compared to 65% for whole corn plants.

25 Silage-type corn Forage sorghum Basin wild ryegrass Tall wheatgrass

26 Forage sorghum Silage-type corn

27 Other Comments on Above-Snow Grazing Planting irrigated farmland to perennial above-snow grasses such as tall wheat grass or Basin wild ryegrass for winter grazing was not as profitable as whole corn plants or forage sorghum due to reduced carrying capacity and higher supplementation costs. Winter treatment Profit/cow/year, $ Graze standing whole corn Graze forage sorghum Graze tall wheatgrass Graze basin wild ryegrass Feed medium grass hay 37.24