Forage Seminar Cut Bank, MT - December 16, 2014

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1 Forage Seminar Cut Bank, MT - December 16, 2014 Dr. Emily Glunk MSU Extension Forage specialist Kari Lewis, M.S. Glacier County Extension Agent

2 Agenda Hay sampling and visually ranking forages Interpreting a forage analysis for livestock feeding and hay marketing Ration balancing for livestock Hail, nitrates, and frost Their effect on forages and how to manage damaged forages Cover crops for late grazing

3 Visual Forage Analysis Fill out worksheet (in packet) Match samples A, B, C, and D to analysis reports 1, 2, 3, and 4 Make your best estimation Discuss results

4 Visual Assessment of Hay What we know Hay is a bulk package of Energy Protein Vitamins Minerals Can visually identify some quality differences Leaves Color Smell Mold What we don t know Concentration of nutrients Moisture content Amount to feed Nitrate presence Mold types present Need a hay sample & analysis

5 Hay Sampling A process that provides a representative sample from a hay lot to determine a quantitative nutrient analysis for: Dry Matter Crude protein Energy Fibers Quality Value Minerals Other analysis Nitrate test Cost $15 - $40/sample for analysis

6 Hay Sampling Who should sample Everyone who produces or purchases hay What to sample Every hay lot Hay lot = Hay taken from same field and cut, harvested within 48 hours, and stored under same conditions When to sample After hay has cured (17 to 21 days after baling) Before feeding hay Where to sample Inside of bale Why sample To save $$$, and increase profit! Purchase hay earlier in season at lower prices if needed Strategically purchase supplement based on needs To prevent abortions/death (nitrate, molds) To develop rations for livestock to meet their nutrient requirements at various stages of production To gain feedback on your current forage producing practices You can t manage what you don t measure!

7 Steps to taking a hay sample Check out hay probe from Extension office Attach hay probe to drill or handle

8 Steps to taking a hay sample Sample bales Insert probe at least 12 to 18 inches into bale Empty contents into a bucket or bag Mix contents thoroughly Send sealed, labeled bag to a certified lab, or return to Extension office

9 Considerations when sampling Bale covering affects how to sample Net wrap vs twine

10 Considerations when sampling Bale type affects where to sample Square Round

11 Considerations when sampling Consistent, uniform sampling Consider how hay was stacked Sample 10% of a lot, or at least 15 bales Example Sample every 10 th bale

12 Questions on hay sampling

13 Ration Balancing for Livestock

14 Ration Balancing Matching the animal s nutrient requirements and available feeds Helps answers the questions: How much feed is needed? Is available feed adequate? Does supplement need to be purchased?

15 Assumptions 1,300 pound cow 31.5 DMI Consuming 15 lb. grass/d Dec. 15 to April 15 = 121 days 250 cows Need to feed 16.5 lb. hay/d 16.5 lb. hay x 121 days = 1,997 pounds hay 1 ton/cow x 250 cows = 250 tons How much to feed?

16 Forage capacity of beef cows Forage Type and Maturity Low quality forage (<52% TDN) Dry winter forage, mature legume & grass hay, straw Average quality forage (52 59% TDN) Stage of Production Dry Lactating Dry Forage Dry Matter Intake Capacity, % of Body Weight Dry summer pasture, dry pasture during fall, late-bloom legume hay, boot stage and early-bloom grass hay Lactating Lush, growing pasture Dry Lactating Intake estimates assume that protein requirements are met by the forage or through supplementation. When protein requirements are not met, forage intake will be lower than these values. Hibbard and Thrift, 1992

17 Partitioning of Nutrients Maintenance Energy for breathing, walking, maintaining body temperature, etc. Growth Lactation Reproduction

18 Nutrient status = Nutrient requirements of the cow Nutrient intake Nutrient intake and body reserves meets maintenance Additional nutrients can meet additional requirements Growth Lactation Reproduction

19 Importance of Nutrient Status, BCS

20 Factors affecting animal s nutrient requirements Body Size and Condition Age Stage of Production Pregnancy Lactation (genetics to milk) Length of breeding season Growth Activity Stage of Production Calving to breeding Greatest nutritional requirements Breeding to weaning Mid-gestation Late gestation Weather and environment Temperature If cattle are wet, requirements increase 2% for every degree below 30 degrees Mud If mud to dewclaws, feedlot ADG decreased 7% If mud to hocks, feedlot ADG decreased 28% Environment and weather

21 Factors affecting nutrient intake of the animal Body Size Lactation Environment Forage quality Forage availability Supplements

22 As nutrient requirements increase Quantity and quality of forage needed by livestock increases

23 All Forage Is Not Created Equal Plant species Plant maturity Factors affecting nutrients available in forage Forage availability Range condition

24 What does the cow need? DMI Crude protein Energy Vitamins/Minerals May need to supplement when base forage cannot supply enough nutrients to meet needs (Identify limiting nutrients (protein, energy or both)

25 Importance of Protein Microogranisms in rumen break down (digest) feed ingested by animals Used for energy to support microbial growth Microorganisms release VFA s for energy source for ruminant Sloughing of microoganisms (50% protein) provides protein for ruminant as well To digest forage, microoganisms must have protein If inadequate protein supply Reduced microbial protein production Reduced forage digestion Loss of nutrients lower forage intake and decreased performance

26 Protein and DMI relationship If forage diet is <7% CP, feeding a protein supplement generally improves energy and protein status by improving forage intake and digestion.

27 Sample Rations No supplementation Supplementation Mixing poor quality and good quality forages

28 Management Matters Manage for cold When effective temperature is below animal s lower critical temperature, animal must increase heat production to maintain constant body temperature and performance To produce more heat Energy from ration must be increased Cattle will draw from body stores Rule of thumb for cold stress Increase the amount of feed 1% for each degree of cold stress. If you have the wind-chill temperature, use that temperature.

29 Management Matters Provide Windbreaks Straw Clean, accessible water

30 Management Matters SORT! What is the replacement cost of these females? Commercial bred females - $3,000 to $4,000+ Heifer calves - $1,500+ and feed, breeding costs Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free

31 Purchasing Supplements Compare on a cost/nutrient basis Good Alfalfa hay $145/ton ($0.073/lb), 20% CP Cost/lb CP $0.073/lb = $0.36 / lb CP 20% CP To supplement 1 lb. CP = 1 lb. CP = 5 lb. hay 20% CP Cost to supplement 1 lb. CP from hay 5 lb. hay x $0.073/lb = $0.3625/cow/d Cost/lb CP $0.175/lb 28% CP Supplement $350/ton ($0.175/lb), 28% CP = $.63 / lb CP To supplement 1 lb. CP = 1 lb. CP = 3.6 lb. supplement 28% CP Cost to supplement 1 lb. CP from supplement 3.6 lb. supplement x $0.63/lb = $2.27/cow/d Not intended to compare hay versus supplement, intended to encourage cost comparisons

32 Take Home Message Test your hay Develop a ration to match nutrient requirements and using available feed We have tools to balance rations, check nitrate levels in ration, etc. Purchase hay/supplement now Management matters Facilities, water, windbreaks, etc.

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34 Upcoming Events Golden Triangle Cropping Seminar Tuesday, January 13 Courthouse Annex 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch provided by CG Ag Consulting) Topics Biological Control Strategies of Wheat Stem Sawfly and Wireworm Management Research Regional variety trial updates Crop Rotations and Choices for Dryland Production Certified Seed to Reduce Disease and Weed Challenges Farm Bill meeting Tuesday, January 27 Cut Bank Elks 8 to 10:30 a.m.

35 Upcoming Events Next Generation Conference Friday and Saturday, January 30 & 31 Shelby Civic Center and Shelby High School Friday Succession planning Saturday Production workshops Registration due January 23 to Glacier County Extension $20/individual/day or $30/couple/day, includes meals Winter Barley Meeting Tuesday, February 10 Pondera Shooting Sports Center, Conrad