Is this a decent hay bale ring? | Keeping A Family Cow (2024)

FAQs

How long will a round bale last a cow? ›

Thirty-six pounds of hay is close to one small square bale of hay per day, taking into consideration some waste. Conversely, feeding one large round bale of hay, to two or three steers or cows will last a few weeks.

If cows are relying exclusively on hay as part of dry matter intake and on average they require 18 kgs of dry matter per day, then one round bale can feed between 15 - 19 cows daily.

Based on the average nutrient concentrations in hay across the US (Table 2), in some conditions, feeding hay alone may meet nutrient requirements of the mature beef cow in mid-gestation. However, when hay is limited, of poor quality, or simply too expensive, producers may consider alternatives.

Most hay rings have enough space for approximately 10 cows at a time. The more aggressive cows will eat first and consume the more desirable hay. Cows that are more timid will be forced to eat the lower-quality material or go hungry.

The most accurate method of determining your winter hay needs for cows is by calculating the percentage of body weight that your cow will consume as hay each day. A cow's average feed intake is approximately 3.0 to 3.5% of its body weight.

Standard. Slaughter steers, heifers, and cows 30 to 42 months of age possessing the minimum qualifications for Standard have a fat covering primarily over the back, loin, and ribs which tends to be very thin.

To survive on grass alone would require significant reduction in stocking rate. Think 5 to 6 acres per cow (at least), instead of 3 acres per cow that most stock at.” Many producers have been taught protein supplementation is the key to beef cattle nutrition, but that's not always true.

Another option to look at is substituting some of a cow's hay in the ration with corn grain and/or coproduct feeds. Corn grain and grain processing coproducts are more energy dense than hay, so it is possible to substitute a lower quantity of those products for some of the hay to meet cow needs.

If the nutrient concentration is such that it meets the cow's requirements, cows with unlimited access to this high quality hay, will eat more than they need. Over-eating a forage will likely not hurt the cow, but will increase feed costs. Cows over-eating grains is not a good situation.

A university study calculating waste from four different types of hay feeders found, on average, that a cone feeder had 3.5 percent waste, a hay ring 6.1 percent, a wagon 11.4 percent, and a cradle 14.6 percent.

Will cows eat hay off the ground? ›

Ground feeding increases the risk of internal parasites for both horses and cows. When animals eat directly off the ground, they are at risk to consume parasite larva or eggs along with their feed.

Limit feed in a bunk or on frozen ground

When feeding mature cows on frozen ground, distribute feed to provide at least two linear feet per head of space. Processing or grinding hay is the most efficient method for limit-feeding, but rolling out bales on frozen ground is also an option.

Typically, a 1,000-pound round bale will last one horse for around 10-14 days, two horses for around 5-7 days, three horses for around 3-5 days, and four horses for around 2-4 days. It is essential to keep an eye on the quality of hay and the feeding habits of horses as these estimates may vary.

With well-planned forage management, cattle can harvest their own feed year-round, especially in mild climates. Even in Northern climates with cold weather and snow, this can work in certain situations, with a backup plan when winter storms make grazing impossible.

That is why in humid climates, it is best to use them within three years since harvest time. To know how long your hay is good for, it can be helpful to make harvest dates visible on bags with feed or record it in some other way.

You can store hay indefinitely if the stack is managed correctly; although, in humid climates, using hay within three years of harvest is ideal. Hay growers need to bale it at correct moisture levels because if it's baled too damp the hay will generate heat, which leads to molding.