There are numerous methods to feed hay, with every technique impacting waste in a different way.
1. If hay is fed unrestricted, cattle can waste 45 p.c of the hay they’re offered. Restrict feeding hay so solely what’s required is fed, will considerably cut back waste instantly. Research present that cattle fed every day versus fed each 4 days, wanted 25% much less hay. That’s an enormous quantity, however labor and gear price barely elevated.
2. A typical and often labor environment friendly technique of feeding is to feed hay immediately onto the bottom by unrolling bales, distributing floor hay or unfastened hay, and bale pod grazing. With any of those strategies, there ought to solely be sufficient feed distributed or out there for in the future.Â
3. Bale pod grazing is when bales are unfold out throughout a discipline or pasture and momentary fence is used to restrict animal entry to 1 or a number of bales. When it’s time for extra hay, the producer strikes a fence as a substitute of transferring a bale. The losses will depend upon herd measurement, nevertheless, as a result of this pertains to limiting feeding or limiting entry.
4. Limiting entry by bodily obstacles is one other option to lower hay loss. Bale rings, racks, fences, feed bunks, bale pod grazing, or one other type of restricted entry can all lower waste. These strategies work by lowering trampling and animal capacity to put down on the hay. The best bodily obstacles have stable aspect bottoms. This prevents the hay from being pulled out onto the bottom. Whereas these strategies are efficient, they require the acquisition of extra gear which for big herds or altering feeding location can add vital money and time.
Regardless of the improved technique, lowering fed hay losses will enhance the return on the hay funding.
Supply: College of Nebraska-Lincoln
