Others operate in areas that typically receive more annual precipitation and as a result experience dry conditions less frequently. Most drought-related financial losses stem from a combination of factors related to poor livestock performance and the need to source alternative feed. The salt mix used to limit intake should be 25 percent of the trace mineralized salt/dicalcium phosphate blend described above and 75 percent plain salt. Alternative feeds an option for cattle amid drought One producer used old belting to feed on. For some producers, the only option will be to purchase feed, and/or get the cows to eat something they normally wont eat. Cows should be slowly adapted to high-grain feeding, just like feedlot cattle. 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. Drought forces pastoralists to change diet, eat githeri for survival Apply to CSU | June 04, 2021. 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. Drought is part of the normal production cycle in Colorado and integrating it into the overall management plan can help prevent financial losses, reduce stress associated with it, and lesson impacts to the health of the herd and land. With hay and related forage inventories at lower levels and reduced first cutting yields, winter supplies are projected lower than normal. We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Corn stover can vary greatly in feed value based on the portion of the plant harvested. Test harvested forages for nutrient content and nitrate risk. Protein supplementation may be necessary for optimum breeding rates during drought conditions. Beef Cattle Management During Drought Extension Beef Cattle Program. Feeding and Caring for Livestock During a Drought If you'd like a response to your question or comment, please share your email address. Slaughter cattle prices per pound. Corn or soybean residues are likely the most available and abundant in most areas of the country. It is high in protein (25 percent) and should be fed at a rate of 0.5 percent of body weight, with a forage source. Pounds of material produced per inch of water applied are higher in warm season annuals like pearl millet and sudan. A mixture of 50 percent trace mineralized salt and 50 percent dicalcium phosphate supplied free choice to the cow herd will meet the phosphorus requirement. 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. North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student-focused, land-grant, research university. Feed and Nutrition. by R. Baird LeValley -Revised by Eric McPhail. They can be used as alternative feed resources for ruminants especially during the dry season. We are located at 1311 College Ave. in Fort Collins, Colorado. (See fact sheets 1.610, Nitrate Poisoning and 1.612, Prussic Acid Poisoning in Livestock.). This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Colorado State University fact sheet 1.610. Cottonseed hulls should be fed with 2 to 3 pounds of 30 percent to 40 percent all-natural protein supplement and mineral. Haying reduces the amount of water in forage tissues using solar radiation and wind. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464). Carefully balance every ration against the animals requirements. 7520, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050. Alternative Feeds for Cattle During Drought - Kiowa County Press The crude protein in soybean hulls ranges from 10 percent to16 percent. 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. Do not exceed grain feeding beyond 0.4 percent of the live body weight when forage is the major component of the diet. Buyer beware: Scams, drought and other factors affecting hay sales this Wet vegetable waste may be too frozen to transport or feed. Revised 11/20. 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. This article is designed to help livestock producers better understand the potential problems ahead and offer some feasible solutions to help stretch limited forage supplies and budgets. "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 . Diets for dry lot cows are formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of the cows while minimizing feed costs. Several options are available for supplying energy to cattle on drought-stressed pasture. Leaving the lower portion of the stalk in the field should be your goal. As when grazing cover crops, be sure crop residues have not been treated with a pesticide that is illegal for feeding to animals. Additional feeding and harvesting strategies include windrow grazing, stockpiling forage, ammoniation of forages, and adding liquid supplementation to the forage. Available crop residues such as small grain straw, corn stover, and other byproducts of crop production represent important methods of stretching tight feed supplies during drought conditions. Consider Early Pregnancy - NDSU Extension Eddy County | Facebook Cattle eat bell peppers as an alternative feed in California, which is in the midst of a crippling drought. Therefore, a 1,200 pound cow would consume 1.2 pounds of salt mixed in a grain or protein supplement. The initial reaction of many people evaluating these diets is that cows will not survive on that small amount of feed. Forage kochia is a perennial, typically planted in the fall. These can result in increased incidence of acidosis and founder. Teff is a good option because it grows fast. Since intake on concentrate diets is restricted, cattle may appear gaunt and behave as though hungry. Alfalfa hay, sunflower meal, canola meal, distillers grains, as well as other protein meals may also be used as protein supplements. Kiowa County Press - 1208 Maine Street, Eads, Colorado81036. No grazing or green chopping for several days after a killing frost. Obviously, the rations shown in Table 1represent high levels of grain feeding to minimize the amount of scarce forage used. Kevin Gould & Kim Cassida, Michigan State University Extension - Depending on the particular cover crop/mixture and time of year, cover crops can be grazed, baled, or chopped. Meeting the need for these nutrients is important if cow herd productivity is to be maintained. 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. Did you find what you were looking for on this page? Feed two times per day, if possible. Substitute 1 pound of grain or other concentrate feed for 2 pounds of alfalfa hay or 3pounds of grass hay. 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. Forage kochia is one of the most drought-tolerant and grazing-resistant plants that we can actually buy seed for, so it can be an excellent choice for future, said Davison. Examples include distiller grains, hemp pellets, or cull potatoes. Preparing for these dry periods and decreased feed supplies is essential. Other management options can be found at www.ext.colostate.edu/drought/altfeed.html. Learn more about us and our partners. Sorghum sudan might have enough water to get started, but in drought conditions there may be buildup of prussic acid. Substitute 1 pound of grain or other concentrate feed for 2 pounds of alfalfa hay or 3 pounds of grass hay. 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. In that case, annuals are a useful step in a forage rotation regardless of weather. Our job is to determine the unique issues, concerns, and needs of each Colorado community and to help offer effective solutions. Drought conditions greatly reduce the available forage for livestock. Stay in touch with the latest dairy news and research at MSU, View the rest of the articles from the publication. Annual forages offer a solid alternative in drought emergencies because many can produce harvestable forage within eight weeks after planting given a minimal amount of water. Consider the following tips when feeding cattle through periods of drought: Analyze forages and feed Be sure to monitor intake closely when feeding self limiting supplements, particularly grain based supplements, because founder and acidosis can occur. Diets for drylot cows are formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of the cows while minimizing feed costs. Management of sorghum-sudan includes: Other forages that can be planted for summer grazing are millets, teff, Italian rye or oats. Stanton, T. 1994. Livestock and horse owners must decide if they want to spend more money on hay or alternative forage sources. Seed is cheap, and with coated seed you may . Forage alternatives for livestock in drought years - Forages Equal Opportunity | Hay, grain, and crop processing byproducts can all be used to supply energy to grazing cattle. Please Contact Us or you can always Ask an Expert. Employment | As a general rule of thumb, cattle will consume up to 0.1 percent of body weight in salt. Regardless of one's familiarity and experience level, managing forages for use in beef cattle feeding scenarios under drought conditions can be . Finding hay for your herd may be a tough this year and looking at alternative feeds could be a viable option. There are also many other good forage testing labs outside of Michigan. For information and resources to help you make cost-effective decisions regarding alternative feeds during drought, visit the CSU Extension Decision Tools Page. Drought is a part of the normal production cycle. Then, increase the grain by 1 pound per day, and reduce the hay by 2 pounds each day until the final ration is attained. 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. As livestock producers harvest and store forage resources for 2021-22, we may see significant risk with drought conditions reducing yields. Cattle can also harvest low-quality forages but these must be supplemented with protein and/or energy. In a drought year, livestock management decisions become more difficult when feed resources are limited. 1230 Albrecht Blvd, Fargo ND 58102 Pricing can be easily calculated by utilizing this link. 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. *R. Baird LeValley, Former Colorado State University Extension livestock and range agent, Tri River Area. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Short and long-term ramifications will continue to affect the management of livestock. Plant sorghum-sudan for summer grazing. Grain is not always practical to feed, but there are ways to feed it even in pasture or rangeland situations. Alternative Feeding Strategies for Beef Cattle During Drought Wheat middlings are a good source of protein (18 percent) and energy. 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. Did you use the search tool on the NDSU Agriculture website to try to find what you were looking for? Salt-limited supplements should not be used with water sources high in total dissolved solids. Grain supplementation on pasture can result in a "catch 22". Therefore, forage testing is critically important to determine actual nutrient concentration so that diets can be balanced to meet specific animal production needs. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. Relocating the cowherd into dry lot is a management alternative that may allow producers to take advantage of grains and byproduct feeds (Wright, 2002). For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. Drought-affected pastures and native range generally do not produce adequate forage to maintain "normal" stocking rates, so producers intending to remain fully stocked must provide supplemental energy to meet the needs of the cow herd. Sorghum-sudan uses less water than corn and produces enough forage for two to three cuttings or grazing rotations. Producers in Nevada and the Northwest have been growing teff (a high-quality annual grass somewhat similar to coastal bermudagrass) for a long time. Reductions in stocking rate will benefit range plants by reducing stress and will also provide more forage for the remaining cattle. Percent salt in the supplement = [pounds of salt/(pounds of concentrate+pounds of salt)] X 100. Webmaster | Drought Resources The drought has also forced them to look for alternative diets for their livestock to survive. It is best to mix at least 5 pounds of forage with the wheat middlings. Excess sweet potatoes can cause dental caries and possibly loss of molar teeth. Since forage production is generally limited during a drought, energy may be the most limiting nutrient for grazing cattle. Feed the lower quality roughages to cows in the middle-third stage of pregnancy, Save the better-quality feeds for periods before and after calving, and. When deciding on an alternative feeding program, there are several options to consider. Cover with a tarp or silage plastic and let it ferment for at least 30 days. . Hay is an alternative feed for livestock during the dry season. Since intake on concentrate diets is restricted, cattle may appear gaunt and behave as though hungry. Which Insecticide is Best for Grasshopper Control? Keep an eye on local hay availability and prices at the first signs of drought. Some of the newer varieties have less chance for that," he said. Beware of toxic plants, as cattle grazing short pasture . . Feed the highest quality feeds to animals that have higher feed requirements (i.e., growing replacement heifers or growing calves). 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. A nutritionist in Oregon once created a ration using cherry pies, candy bars, and corn flakes as part of the energy base, said Bohnert. For some grains, processing may be necessary for optimum use by cattle. Many livestock producers do not have cropland for growing annuals, but the diverse nature of Michigan agriculture means it is likely that some neighbors do. Some people are looking at things they havent used for a long time, like kochia. www.ext.colostate.edu/drought/altfeed.html. Cows should be slowly adapted to high grain feeding, just like feedlot cattle. For example, if you learn of a cheaper alternative feed, consider the location of the feed source and the transportation costs to obtain the feed. Adequate dry matter intake will be dependent on rations balanced for protein. Spring forage is always a premium. Privacy Statement | Non-discrimination Statement. If pasture conditions are extremely poor, producers may consider feeding cows in drylot. Corn and oats can be fed whole but may be better utilized if coarsely rolled before feeding. An. In addition, producers may consider selling all or a portion of the herd to reduce stocking rates sufficiently for pasture conditions. A suggested practice is to begin with 2 to 3pounds of whole shelled corn per head, per day and free-choice roughage. 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Seth Urbanowitz, CSUE, Regional Specialist, Agronomy, Western Region. Processing (shredding or chopping) the harvested portion also increases feed quality and palatability. Acknowledge there is no way to avoid a higher feed bill this fall and winter. Nondiscrimination & Public Access Statements | Options vary depending on where you live and whats available. Contact your chosen lab directly for details on how samples should be prepared and shipped. Make sure plenty of bunk space is provided so all cows can eat at the same time. Often livestock farmers are reluctant to adopt this practice. Repeat this as much as is safe (i.e. Cow-calf/yearling producers may consider removing yearlings from drought affected pastures and placing them directly in the feedyard to reduce stock numbers. All rights reserved. The nutritional value of crop residues and harvested cover crops is highly variable. Jenny Beiermann, CSUE, Regional Specialist, Ag and Business Management, Western Region. These were aluminum, lightweight, and made great feed bunks, he said. See Sampling hay, silage, and total mixed rations for analysis for general instructions on how to collect a forage sample. Provide the same salt and mineral mixture during drought as you would during normal conditions. Intake of self-fed grain or protein supplements can be limited using salt. Since its a perennial it must become established before you graze it. Cattle must have free access to all the quality water they will consume. Upon the onset of drought conditions, hay prices often increase and may become scarce. This information is for educational purposes only. Hay prices average $200-240/ ton in western Colorado. 2022, Colorado State University Extension, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 USA. You need to start with just a little, then more, and over time cattle will eat it readily, said Davison. This combined with elevated grain prices may create the perfect storm for significantly higher feed costs for livestock producers across large portions of the country. 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). A minimal amount of roughage is required to maintain rumen function. Retta Bruegger, CSUE, Regional Specialist, Range Management, Western Region. 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. 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Lack of vitamin A may be a problem during fall and winter for cows that grazed drought-affected pastures during summer. A suggested practice is to begin with 2 to 3pounds of whole shelled corn per head, per day and free-choice roughage. In most areas, this annual is considered a weed. CSU A-Z Search Informa Markets, a trading division of Informa PLC. Jay Davison, Extension Crop Specialist (University of Nevada, Reno) is now retired, but still doing consulting, and says ruminants can eat just about anything. Weekly educational program for cattle producers. After 14 to 21days, they will adapt to the reduction infeed intake, but they may continue to appear gaunt. Keep Stored Grain Cool, Dry During Summer, Pros, Cons of Alternative Grain Storage Methods, Considerations when Conditioning Too-dry Soybeans, CalfWeb/Cattle Feeding Closeout Calculator, Certification Requirements of the North Dakota Beef Quality Assurance Program, ND BQA Registration Forms for Recertification, Common Beef Cattle Diseases in North Dakota, Pinkeye and Foot Rot a Ranchers Headache, A Producers Guide for Judicious Use of Antimicrobials in Cattle, Schedule Bull Breeding Soundness Exams Prior to Turnout, What Does the Future Hold? Soybean residue can also be considered but feed refusal will increase if this feedstuff is fed dry or too much high-quality feed is available free choice. As a rule of thumb, cows should receive at least 0.5 percent of their body weight as roughage (90 percent dry matter basis). Corn stover is often available on neighboring land and could benefit both parties if a portion of the residue is harvested and removed. They can also be grazed in the fall. Treat low-quality roughages with various feed additives. KiowaCountyPress.netmay earn an affiliate commission if you purchase products or services through links in an article. When dealing with dry periods, it is important to design a feeding program that fully utilizes local feed resources. A calcium-phosphorus mineral mixture and salt should always be available to cows, especially when utilizing any alternative feeds. Managing animal movement so that plants have a chance to recover from grazing is always important but never more so than when weather is not cooperating. All Rights Reserved. "During the last drought, there was a lot of hay baled very mature along roadsides and abandoned fields with the lowest density setting the baler could handle to produce light, low-density bales then . With 2 cuttings you can get about 5 tons per acre under normal irrigation and 2 tons with the water well have this year, he said. Contact your local county Extension office through our County Office List. For resources on comprehensive drought planning for the ranch, see the Drought Outlook webpage. Many producers use barrels, gated pipe split in half, bunks, or old hog feeders mounted on a trailer. During times of drought, feed costs can rise. Crop residue values are generally lower in energy and/or protein compared to average hay values/dry ton. 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Another key area to consider is crop residues. Triticale or rye planted in September after corn silage will not provide any fall forage but can provide a spring pasture or haylage crop 2-3 weeks earlier than perennial forages and are removed in time to double-crop with silage corn. Alternative feedstuffs used to decrease the dependency on alfalfa or grass hay include harvested corn stalks, millet hay, wheat straw, sorghum-sudan, cottonseed hulls, soybean hulls, wheat middlings, and corn gluten feed. Its good feed if you already have it planted.. For some cattle producers, drought is an expected and reoccurring event that is part of the management environment. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. The second is to reduce the nutrient requirements of the cow to a point where they can be met with available forage After 14 to 21 days, they will adapt to the reduction in feed intake, but they may continue to appear gaunt.
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