Restrict feeding cows corn as a substitute for hay

The dearth of forage because of drought and present hay costs have producers contemplating various choices for feeding cows this winter. One aggressive choice to contemplate is changing some hay within the weight-reduction plan with corn. Since corn has a better power content material than hay, the price of feeding hay is usually greater than corn on a worth per pound of power foundation. For instance, corn priced at $6.76/bushel ($241/ton) with a complete digestible vitamins (TDN) worth of 88% equates to roughly $0.16 per pound of TDN whereas hay priced at $205/ton with a TDN worth of 52% is sort of $0.22 per pound of TDN.

Whereas hay may be supplied free selection because of its low power content material, excessive power feeds like corn needs to be restrict fed to keep away from placing an excessive amount of situation on cows. Corn is comparatively low in protein, so offering a 30-40% protein complement may also help meet the cow’s protein requirement. Moreover, there should be some forage (0.25-0.5% of physique weight on a dry matter foundation) included in grain-based diets to advertise rumen operate and forestall digestive upsets.  

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A research performed at The Ohio State College evaluated limit-feeding corn as a substitute for hay for mature cows in gestation and early lactation. Cows had been both fed round 11 kilos of entire shelled corn, 2.5 kilos of a pelleted complement, and a pair of kilos of hay (dry matter foundation) or supplied hay and a salt and mineral combine free selection from November to April. Hay was predominantly first-cutting orchardgrass testing round 72% impartial detergent fiber (NDF) and 9.5% crude protein (CP). Cows fed free selection hay ate twice as a lot feed leading to double the feed prices in comparison with restrict feeding the corn-based weight-reduction plan. The outcomes of this research recommend that corn may be restrict fed to fulfill the nutrient necessities of cows with out negatively impacting efficiency, conception charge, or calf weaning weight.

When using a restrict fed, grain-based weight-reduction plan, there are a number of elements producers ought to think about to assist facilitate the success of this system.           

1. Modify cows to the restrict fed weight-reduction plan over every week to ten-day interval by step by step growing the corn and decreasing the hay to desired ranges. It will assist cows transition to the brand new ration and reduce digestive upsets.
2. Present at the very least 24 to 30 inches of bunk area per cow. Satisfactory area is required to make sure that all cows have a possibility to eat the restricted feed that might be offered.
3. Make the most of an ionophore to enhance feed effectivity and assist reduce digestive upsets.
4. Divide cows into teams primarily based on age and pecking order, if potential, in order that boss cows don’t maintain youthful and extra timid cows from getting their share of the ration.
5. Notice that cows will act hungry when receiving a restrict fed weight-reduction plan, though the ration is assembly the nutrient wants of the cow. 
6. Feed cows at a constant time every day to assist reduce cows displaying discontented habits.
7. Modify the ration for adjustments within the cow’s nutrient necessities as wanted. The nutrient wants of the cow are highest throughout late gestation and early lactation. Moreover, chilly climate occasions can improve the power necessities of the cow.

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Relying on present commodity costs and availability, there’s alternative to winter cows utilizing various power sources to hay. Restrict feeding a corn-based weight-reduction plan is usually a cost-effective choice for assembly the nutrient necessities of cows. The College of Nebraska has performed a number of research to judge restrict feeding cows.  For extra info, please see the Dry Lot Beef Cow/Calf Enterprise web page at beef.unl.edu. For help with evaluating price variations of feedstuffs, think about using the Feed Price Cow-Q-Lator. Moreover, Nebraska Extension Educators and Specialists can be found to assist producers develop rations to fulfill cow nutrient wants.