Low Quality Hay Dr. Ron Lemenager Beef Extension Specialist 765-427-5972 rpl@purdue.edu

Low Quality Hay

Dr. Ron LemenagerBeef Extension Specialist

765-427-5972rpl@purdue.edu

Low Quality Hay – 1st Cutting

• 4 common themes:1. Rained on (maybe multiple times)2. Cut late – advanced plant maturity3. Long term plant injury (wheel tracks and windrows)4. Baled too wet - heat damage and/or mold

2. Cut late – Advanced Plant Maturity

(NDF)

Why is Forage Quality Compromised?

• Crude Protein (CP)– May not decrease much, depends on leaf loss– Adjusted CP lower if heat damaged

• Lower Energy (TDN) content• Higher Fiber (NDF, ADF) content

– Reduced intake– Reduced DM digestibility (as much as 40%)

SOOO, How Bad Is My Hay?

• Visual appraisal– Color– Presence/amount of

• Seed heads• Weeds• Mold

• Smell• Forage Analysis

$130 - Nasco

$439 - Haychec

Hay Analysis

• Sample hay by “lot”– Use a forage probe– 20 samples/lot– Package and send mixed lot sample to Certified Lab– Cost ~$20/sample

• Rank hays (poorest to best) based on analysis• Match nutrient analysis to animal requirements

– Minimizes supplemental feed costs– Optimizes performance

• Supplement, as needed to meet requirements

Beef Cow Nutrition Cycle: When are nutrient requirements highest?

Late Gestation

Early Lactation

Mid to Late Lactation

Mid Gestation

Low quality forage

High quality forage

Hay Quality vs. Cow Requirements

Item Adjusted CP, % TDN, % NDF, % RFV

1st Cut Alfalfa, July 4 13.2 52 58.2 87

Preflower Cereal Rye, May 20 13.2 52 64.6 812nd Cut Alf-Orchardgrass, July 15 17.0 52 50.5 1012nd Cut Red clover-OG, Aug 10 13.2 54 54.3 96Corn stalk grazing, 30 d 8.2 56 50Baled corn stalks 5.2 50 70Mid-gestation 8 50-53a

Late-gestation 10 54-57a

Early-lactation 12 57-63a

aUse low end of TDN range for mature cows with average milk production. Use high end of range for young cows and cows with high milk production potential.

Which Feeds Are Available?Feed Energy ProteinCorn ++++ +Distiller’s grains ++++ ++++Hominy ++++ ++Corn gluten feed +++ +++Soybean hulls +++ ++Wheat midds +++ ++Corn skins +++ +Brewer’s grains ++ ++++Cottonseed hulls + +

Precaution “Thumb Rules”

• Corn grain (high starch)– Need to manage rumen pH for fiber digestion – Max of 0.3% body wt (1300 lb cow x .003 = 3.9 lb)

• Corn by-products (high protein)– Distillers grains, Corn gluten feed, Brewer’s grains– Significant excess protein suppl. during gestation

• Can increase birth weights and dystocia

– High in phosphorus (need added calcium)• Ca:P ratio in final diet should be 1.5:1, or greater

• Soybean hulls (hard pellets)• Need to manage bloat potential• Max of 1.0% body weight (1300 lb cow = max of 13 lb

Summary: Things to Consider

1) Obtain a nutrient analysis of forages2) Inventory forages by quality3) Match forage quality with nutrient needs4) Determine supplemental nutrient needs5) Balance diets to minimize costs6) Use Body Condition Scores as a “guide”7) Sort cow herd into nutritional groups8) Adjust energy for cold stress

For More Information

• www.thebeefcenter.com– Dealing with Low Quality Forages

• 2 part video by clicking on presenters

• www.beefroundtable.com– Programs

• October 2015 program

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