With hay and related forage inventories at lower levels and reduced first cutting yields, winter supplies are projected lower than normal. They are excellent quality crops for fattening both sheep and cattle, and are also regarded as good feed for . When stocking rates are reduced in accordance with production, only small effects on weaning weight may be noted. One producer used old belting to feed on. Carefully balance every ration against the animal's requirements. Corn or soybean residues are likely the most available and abundant in most areas of the country. Perennial forages are the backbone of many livestock operations but many perennials go dormant as a survival strategy during drought. Secretaries of state warn 'independent Conservative US Supreme Court reconsidering American voters are angry that is a good Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report week ending May 16, 2021, USDA Surveying Crop Acreage and Livestock for Mid-Year Report, Ag stats: Colorado crop progress and condition report week ending August 18, 2019. Planning for fall forages can be critical during drought years as lack of water and forage may force some producers to come off of the rangelands and summer pastures early. Since forage production is generally limited during a drought, energy may be the most limiting nutrient for grazing cattle. Stanton, T. 1994. In the face of drought, producers may sell livestock to decrease herd size and grazing pressure, but alternative feeding strategies are an option for the remaining population. Brassicas (turnip, radish, forage rape) planted in late July to early August can be ready to graze in eight weeks and their excellent cold tolerance means you may still be grazing them in December. Cows should receive vitamin A and D booster shots approximately 30 days prior to calving and their calves should receive vitamin A and D at birth. Some alternative feeds like distillers grains may have a short shelf life, but you can extend this fermenting them by making cow lasagna. This entails unrolling a round bale of the cheapest straw grass hay that you can find and spreading wet distillers grains on top, and then another bale, followed by distillers grains. Cattle producers generally have two main options for meeting the nutrient requirements of cattle on drought affected pastures and ranges. Colorado State University fact sheet 1.610. Cattle should adapt to high-grain diets in seven to ten days and should be observed closely during that time. 7520, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050. In addition, producers may consider selling all or a portion of the herd to reduce stocking rates sufficiently for pasture conditions. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. If the relative feed value drops due to a higher acid detergent fiber, horses will reduce their intake. Corn and oats can be fed whole but may be better utilized if coarsely rolled before feeding. In winter this may result in frozen ears, tails, or even feet. If your local climate faces low to moderate drought conditions and you get some rain, you could plant supplemental forages for your livestock. "Within three days of planting, if it has a little water, it comes up. For example, where cull potatoes or other root crops are an option, consider processing them before feeding. Crop residue values are generally lower in energy and/or protein compared to average hay values/dry ton. In many cases, the best solution for cow/calf producers is to utilize a limit-fed, high grain diet fed in dry lot or semi-confinement. Preparing for these dry periods and decreased feed supplies is essential. 5. Corn gluten feed is a byproduct of the corn wet milling industry and is available in wet or dry form. Alternative forages can help bridge the gap and reduce financial losses. When traditional feeds are in short supply or expensive, non-traditional crops and feeds can be used. Drought conditions greatly reduce the available forage for livestock. The second is to reduce the nutrient requirements of the cow to a point where they can be met with available forage. Looking for a more rewarding checking account?Explore the options here! Did you find what you were looking for on this page? Planting Sunflower with Attention to Details, Cover Crop Considerations for Dry Conditions, Aggregates are a part of soil structure and function, Soil Water Movements; Gravitational Movement and Capillary Rise Video, Water Management Suggestions to Improve Soil Health, Considerations for Use of Enhanced Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilizers, Guidelines for Fall N Application in North Dakota, Late Wet Spring Soil/Fertilizer Considerations, The Relationship of Between Crop Production and Sustainability, Winter Rye as a Preceding Cover Crop for Dry Bean, Benefits of Adding Cover Crops to Your Rotation, Cover Crop and Residual Herbicide Information, Impact of Flooding / Waterlogging on Crop Development, Abiotic (Non-Infectious) Symptoms in Wheat, How to Sample for Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN), Scouting for Clubroot of Canola (08/06/20), Small Grain Diseases: Management of Those More Common and Severe in Dry Years, Herbicide Applications with Hot Dry Conditions, Clean Up Grain Bins to Reduce Insect Pests, Cocoons of Parasitic Wasps on Field Crops, Insecticide Application Timing for Red Sunflower Seed Weevil, Pyrethroid Resistance in Diamondback Moth in Canola, Red-Headed Flea Beetle in Soybean, Corn and Wheat, Scout for Bean Leaf Beetles in Soybeans and Dry Beans, Scouting for Cereal Aphids in Wheat and Barley, Temperature and Herbicide Application Questions, Early Season Weed ID Samples: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Weed Control Strategies with Dry Conditions, Dicamba: Considerations for Dicamba Alternatives (06/11/20). **Eric McPhail, Colorado State University Extension, county director, Gunnison. Carefully balance every ration against the animals requirements. Privacy Statement | In addition, extremely dusty supplements are unpalatable. Its good feed if you already have it planted.. Our job is to determine the unique issues, concerns, and needs of each Colorado community and to help offer effective solutions. One producer used old bathtubs. In planning for next year, plant these varieties in August or September to provide forage the following spring. The salt mixture should be placed close to stock watering locations. An alternative is to invest in time and money in forage conservation and bring supplemental forage to animals during drought. As a general rule of thumb, cattle will consume up to 0.1 percent of body weight in salt. In January, the base price for 60-pound lightweight slaughter lambs was $3 per pound, up 70 cents per pound from this time last year, he said. Do not exceed grain feeding by 0.4 percent of the live body weight when forage is the major component of the diet. Dr. Jaymelynn Farney, beef systems specialist with Kansas State University is the host and will invite other professionals from around the country to help address timely topics. Animals may choke on root vegetables, though this is more of an issue when animals are stressed and competing with others for feed. If you'd like a response to your question or comment, please share your email address. By contrast, teff and millets dont have those problems. Cow-calf/yearling producers may consider removing yearlings from drought affected pastures and placing them directly in the feedyard to reduce stock numbers. Turnips or camelina meal (a byproduct of processing camelina seeds for oil extraction in biodiesel production) can affect thyroid function. Sorghum-sudan is susceptible to prussic acid accumulation. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). Resources to harvest, store and feed can be viewed within each of the following links: Other crop residues like wheat or oat straw can be utilized as feedstuff in limited quantities. All rights reserved. This year in our region we have less than normal amount of irrigation water and it will be cut off early. No grazing or green chopping for several days after a killing frost. Consider whether some cattle need more nutritional support than others. Revised by Retta Bruegger, Jenny Beiermann, Frank Garry, Eric McPhail and Seth Urbanowitz**. Provide dry cows with approximately 0.5 to 0.75 pounds of supplemental crude protein and lactating cows with 0.9 to 1.2 pounds of supplemental crude protein per day. Look for a forage testing lab that is certified by NFTA (National Forage Testing Association). The first is to provide supplemental feed to ensure the cow herd has adequate energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Test harvested forages for nutrient content and nitrate risk. Offering solutions to help stretch limited forage supplies and budgets when the weather isnt cooperating. CSU A-Z Search Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Once the cows are switched over to the limit-fed, grain-based ration, observe their body condition (fleshiness) over time and adjust the grain as needed to maintain adequate condition. Relocating the cowherd into dry lot is a management alternative that may allow producers to take advantage of grains and byproduct feeds (Wright, 2002). Grain processing coproducts, such as wheat midds, soyhulls, barley malt sprouts, beet pulp, and corn gluten feed, which contain highly digestible fiber provide energy while alleviating much of the negative impact that grain supplementation has on fiber digestibility. "Many North Dakota producers already have culled old cows, cows that lost their calves and even cow-calf pairs, yet further reductions in stocking rates may be necessary," says Janna Block, livestock systems specialist based at North . During the Depression, people in the Midwest grew kochia. Water availability and quality can become a major issue during a drought. The goal is to re-breed cows while maintaining calving intervals, maintain pounds of calf produced per cow, and minimize feed cost per pound of calf sold. Many of the pastoralists are now feeding their remaining animals on animal feeds and fodder like hay . Spotlight on Economics: Economic Lessons From Precision Agriculture in N.D. Grain is not always practical to feed, but there are ways to feed it even in pasture or in rangeland situations. . Several options are available for supplying energy to cattle on drought-stressed pasture. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. The economic viability of using alternative feeds is a key consideration. We are located at 1311 College Ave. in Fort Collins, Colorado. Cows should be slowly adapted to high-grain feeding, just like feedlot cattle. Deciding when to sell calves? Another key area to consider is crop residues. Salt can also corrode metal feeders. Copyright 2022. Cover with a tarp or silage plastic and let it ferment for at least 30 days. As with all alternative feeds, doing a nutritional analysis is essential (see below), and thoughtful management is advised. Jenny Beiermann, CSUE, Regional Specialist, Ag and Business Management, Western Region. There is an excellent window of opportunity to grow annual forages after wheat and corn silage harvests in Michigan, as described above. In June, plant winter varieties of rye, triticale or wheat. Livestock producers should see crop residues and potential feed sources and consider including them in their annual feed inventories. Plant sorghum-sudan for summer grazing. You need to start with just a little, then more, and over time cattle will eat it readily, said Davison. Webmaster | June 04, 2021. In summer, look at forage species that thrive in warm, dry conditions such as forage sorghum, sudangrass, sorghum-sudan hybrids, teff, pearl millet, or foxtail millet. These can result in increased incidence of acidosis and founder. Grain supplementation on pasture can result in a "catch 22". Make sure plenty of bunk space is provided so all cows can eat at the same time. Crop residues are generally priced based on nutrient and organic matter removal values. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. When first introduced, many animals were reluctant to eat it. Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC. The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707. A 70d study was conducted to determine the effects of CC and CH based diets on performance of WAD rams. Consider the following tips when feeding cattle through periods of drought: Analyze forages and feed Sampling hay, silage, and total mixed rations for analysis, 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Barley and wheat should be coarsely rolled. However, care must be taken when grazing or harvesting sorghum-sudan. Many producers use barrels, gated pipe split in half, bunks, or old hog feeders mounted on a trailer. In the Northwest some of the non-traditional forages coming into more common use include teff, triticale, grass-seed straw, distillers grains, and cornstalks, depending on where you live. Design a feeding program to utilize local feeds fully. In most areas, this annual is considered a weed. Provide adequate water when using salt limiting supplements. In addition, these byproducts provide protein which may also be limiting in drought-stressed forages. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. Regardless of one's familiarity and experience level, managing forages for use in beef cattle feeding scenarios under drought conditions can be . As livestock producers harvest and store forage resources for 2021-22, we may see significant risk with drought conditions reducing yields. Additionally, your local feed store is a good resource, as well as your county Extension agent. You could put this along a fence so cattle only have access to one side, Bohnert said. The most expensive nutrient for a cow is energy (TDN). Feed two times per day if possible. Registered in England and Wales. Food companies must occasionally dispose of cull products. Cattle can also harvest low-quality forages but these must be supplemented with protein and/or energy. Haying reduces the amount of water in forage tissues using solar radiation and wind. Sorghum sudan might have enough water to get started, but in drought conditions there may be buildup of prussic acid. NDSU Agricultural Affairs educates students with interests in agriculture, food systems and natural resources; fosters communities through partnerships that educate the public; provides creative, cost-effective solutions to current problems; and pursues fundamental and applied research to help shape a better world. The stress may be a result of drought, a freeze, excessive fertilization, or wind. Though these provide a few examples of alternative feeds, as with any feed, it is essential to conduct a nutrition analysis and to evaluate if the feed alternative makes sense (see Economic Considerations below). Vegetable waste from food processing can be useful, depending on where you are, Bohnert said. Check out the Michigan Manure Hauler Certification Program! If cattle will try something and actually eat it and it doesnt make them sick, they will eat a little more. The main thing is to get cattle to try a new feed. Up to a threshold, high nitrate forages are consumable by diluting them with other feedstuffs and supplementing with energy (fact sheet 1.610, Nitrate Poisoning). However, straw has higher opportunity cost in the marketplace and may not be feasible to feed. (Brownson, 1996). Turnips planted in late summer/early fall can be grazed late fall and into winter. Planning in advance ensures that there is ample grazable forage available for the livestock. Then, increase the grain by 1 pound per day, and reduce the hay by 2 pounds each day until the final ration is attained. Then, increase the grain by 1 pound per day, and reduce the hay by 2 pounds each day until the final ration is attained. Cattle producers generally have two main options for meeting the nutrient requirements of cattle on drought affected pastures and ranges. Seth Urbanowitz, CSUE, Regional Specialist, Agronomy, Western Region. When considering alternative feedstuffs, conduct a nutritional analysis. Additives can improve palatability and feeding quality. On a short-water year, it pays to choose a crop that doesnt take much water, like summer annuals, and choose one that has a short growing season. Drought is a part of the normal production cycle and needs to be part of the overall management plan. Some people are looking at things they havent used for a long time, like kochia. Focusing on harvesting the upper 2/3 of the plant including husk, silk, cob, and leaves increases both feed value and palatability. If you produce high-quality hay, it may be financially viable for you to sell the high-quality hay at a premium price and purchase lower-quality hay to feed for extended periods. Keep in mind that it is rarely wise to terminate a perennial forage stand in order to plant annual forages, unless the field was already scheduled for renovation due to poor performance. Lines and paragraphs break automatically. In a drought year, livestock management decisions become more difficult when feed resources are limited. Consider the full cost of alternative feeds. Pastures or hay containing these forages may have the same problem. These toxins cause potential problems with reproduction or interfere with blood circulation to the extremities. No grazing until the regrowth of shoots is 15 to 18 inches tall, Make sure that animals are not hungry and turn them in later in the day, and. Hay prices average $200-240/ ton in western Colorado. Keep in mind that it is rarely wise . When considering feed options, think about the following: Substitute 1 pound of grain or other concentrate feeds for 2 pounds of alfalfa hay or 3 pounds of grass hay. Corn stover is often available on neighboring land and could benefit both parties if a portion of the residue is harvested and removed. But if you can get it delivered all at once and into a silo, it could make good silage. When a study on distillers grains was conducted some years back at Oregon State University, they used old torpedo tubes the government was getting rid of. Salt-limited supplements should not be used with water sources high in total dissolved solids. This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. North Dakota State University, an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. Within three days of planting, if it has a little water, it comes up. The first is to provide supplemental feed to ensure the cow herd has adequate energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Dry climatic conditions that persist into the summer and early fall may limit grazed and stored forage availability in beef operations. Most drought-related financial losses stem from a combination of factors related to poor livestock performance and the need to source alternative feed. Slaughter cattle prices per pound. As livestock owners look for ways to feed animals through the winter in an extended drought, remember all hay is not created equal. The second is to reduce the nutrient requirements of the cow to a point where they can be met with available forage annual, summer forage legumes. Generally, cows should receive at least 0.5 percent of their body weight as roughage (90 percent dry matter basis). Livestock and horse owners must decide if they want to spend more money on hay or alternative forage sources. They often avoid anything they didnt grow up eating. Since intake on concentrate diets is restricted, cattle may appear gaunt and behave as though hungry. As a result, intake is generally limited, and more concentrate feeds are included to cheapen the diets. Beware of toxic plants, as cattle grazing short pasture . Options vary depending on where you live and whats available. Apply to CSU | Pastures and native range that are dormant due to drought conditions may be low in vitamin A, phosphorus, and protein. Sorghum-sudan uses less water than corn and produces enough forage for two to three cuttings or grazing rotations. KiowaCountyPress.netmay earn an affiliate commission if you purchase products or services through links in an article. Contact your local county Extension office through our County Office List. When deciding on an alternative feeding program, there are several options to consider. Producers in Nevada and the Northwest have been growing teff (a high-quality annual grass somewhat similar to coastal bermudagrass) for a long time. This information is for educational purposes only. This can be fed as approximately 1 to 1.5 pounds of soybean meal for dry cows and 2 to 2.5 pounds of soybean meal for lactating cows. Did you use a search engine to try find what you were looking for? Options for Alternative Feeds . With any residue source, harvesting equipment and method can drastically influence forage quality and subsequent feed values. For producers that rely heavily on hay or haylage for winter feed, Michigan State University Extension offers some alternatives that can help stretch limited forage supplies. Acknowledge there is no way to avoid a higher feed bill this fall and winter. For resources on comprehensive drought planning for the ranch, see the Drought Outlook webpage. Hay cut under drought conditions might contain high levels of nitrate and prussic acid. Calculate the value of additional gain. Commissions do not influence editorial independence. Sorghum sudan might have enough water to get started, but in drought conditions there may be buildup of prussic acid. See Sampling hay, silage, and total mixed rations for analysis for general instructions on how to collect a forage sample. We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Lack of vitamin A may be a problem during fall and winter for cows that grazed drought-affected pastures during summer. Other management options can be found at www.ext.colostate.edu/drought/altfeed.html. Distillers grains are a good source of energy and protein but can have high sulfur levels, which can cause polio in cattle. Includes feeding, health, reproduction, and/or forages. A leasing arrangement to grow annual forages on cropland in the off season can be beneficial to both parties, provided crop insurance requirements are met. When considering feed options, think about the following: Substitute 1 pound of grain or other concentrate feed for 2 pounds of alfalfa hay or 3 pounds of grass hay. Providing supplemental grain can reduce forage digestibility, resulting in less energy available to the animal from available forage. Colorado State University fact sheet 1.612. Kevin Gould & Kim Cassida, Michigan State University Extension - For example, a 1,200 pound cow could receive 2.4 pounds of grain per day without drastically reducing forage digestibility. If pasture conditions are extremely poor, producers may consider feeding cows in drylot. It should be part of a long-term plan rather than an emergency feed. Small grains, such as cereal rye, triticale, or oats, can be used to fill the void of spring forage. Therefore, a 1,200 pound cow would consume 1.2 pounds of salt mixed in a grain or protein supplement. Be careful how much you feed, and balance the diet appropriately. Those lambs are selling $1 per pound over the five-year rolling average. Many people here are growing teff. Diets for drylot cows are formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of the cows while minimizing feed costs. . Cows should be slowly adapted to high grain feeding, just like feedlot cattle. Using GPS with GIS for Efficient Nutrient Placement, Choose the Right Nozzles for Field Sprayers, Cleanup of Oil and Fuel Spills in Agricultural Buildings Associated with Flooding, Low-stress Cattle Working Facitlities Video, Videos: Managing Stress on the Farm and Ranch, Harvesting Drought-Stressed Small Grains as Forage, Drought and Prevent Plating Crop Insurance, Potential for Drought Can Impact Prices and Marketing Plans, Livestock Water Quality Likely to be Impacted by Drought, Ranchers Should Consider Water Supply in Drought Plan, Select Best Annual Forages During Drought, Dealing With Flooding on Your Farm or Ranch, Supplementing Cattle on Drought affected Pastures and Ranges. They also impact forage and rangeland production across the state. A minimal amount of roughage is required to maintain rumen function. Vitamin A is lacking in forages during drought and in hay produced from drought-affected forages. As a rule of thumb, cows should receive at least 0.5 percent of their body weight as roughage (90 percent dry matter basis). Since intake on concentrate diets is restricted, cattle may appear gaunt and behave as though hungry, however, after 14 to 21 days, they will adapt to the reduction in feed intake. Check out the MSU Fruit, Vegetable & Organic Horticulture Management Program! Many producers see crop residue as a challenge to get tilled-in and broken down before planting the next crop. Nutrient values for energy and protein will need to be calculated compared to viable alternatives in your feeding system. You can waste money by overfeeding a cow that does not need it. Keep an eye on local hay availability and prices at the first signs of drought. Since intake on concentrate diets is restricted, cattle may appear gaunt and behave as though hungry. Revised 11/20. Kiowa County Press - 1208 Maine Street, Eads, Colorado81036. In addition, it may allow pastures a much needed rest period to begin recovering from the drought. Its too late to do that this year. Privacy Statement | Non-discrimination Statement. A suggested practice is to begin with 2 to 3 pounds of whole shelled corn per head, per day and free-choice roughage. Low quality forages can be ammoniated to increase digestibility and protein content. If fed in appropriate amountsnot so much that it might cause digestive distressmany things can work. Feed strategically based on cattle nutritional needs individually and throughout time. 4/03. Monitor natural water sources, such as ponds and tanks, to ensure cattle have adequate access to clean water. Asa more stable feed, you can feed wet distillers over a longer period and do not have to worry about it spoiling in 7-9 days. Also, many row crop growers are planting cover crops, and these are often the same species that make good annual forage. Talk with your nutritionist . Feed the highest quality feeds to animals that have higher feed requirements (i.e., growing replacement heifers or growing calves).