Plan your cows’ winter feeding program now
« Virtual Learning Tool for Pig Health | Home | China allows minimal canola imports »
Planning ahead for your cows’ winter feeding program is essential, especially after a hard summer and a delayed harvest, when it might be the last thing you want to think about. In order to mitigate the possibility of running short of feed, you will want to ensure that you have a program in place and are considering options, like using alternative feeds.
By developing a good feed management plan, you can make best use of the grassland resources you already have at hand, as well as ensuring that you are making well-informed decisions about your feeding program to maximize your returns.
Begin by taking an account of your winter feeding stocks and evaluating your cow herd numbers to predict your feed usage over the coming months? Will there be a shortage coming up at the end of a long winter? Taking an account of what you have now, and what your predicted needs are will help to offset any surprises down the road. Take into account the grass that is available for grazing as well as any silage or hay you’ve produced for the purpose of feeding. You may also consider having your forage analyzed for a clearer picture of its nutritional content, thereby clarifying whether any supplementation will be needed. Remember that young cows and replacement heifers will need lots of high quality nutrition to ensure that they are gaining weight, whereas dry cows can get by on slightly lower quality forage during pregnancy, increasing to higher-quality feed later into the pregnancy. When devising your feeding plan, you may also want to categorize your herd into their different nutritional needs to ensure that you are meeting individual needs.
Another factor to consider in making the most of the feed you have available: ensure that as little of it as possible is being wasted. For example, instead of leaving forage on the ground where it can be trampled and soiled, consider placing hay bales in an accessible container.
Finally, don’t forget that you can supplement the feed you have set aside for your cows with other resources you may have on hand. Corn can be added as a supplement to cow diets, as well as other grains like oats, barley and wheat. Remember that all changes to cows’ diets should be made gradually and over time so as not to cause digestive disorders. If you have questions about how much you can supplement, be sure to check with your feed supplier or veterinarian. Generally, for corn, approximately five pounds of corn will replace nine pounds of hay. Again, all dietary changes should be made slowly, and it never hurts to consult an expert!
