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Winter Feed Can Account For 70% Of Feed Expenses

published: November 3rd 2008
by: David Burton
source: Springfield News Leader

So figuring out where to spend your money on supplements is an important decision, according to Wesley Tucker, agriculture business specialist, University of Missouri Extension.

"Developing a good supplementation program is a simple four-step process that each producer can do themselves," he said.

First, determine the nutrient requirements of your livestock. Most MU Extension offices and feed store have charts that list the nutrient requirements of beef cattle in various stages of production.

"You'll quickly notice that different stages of production have vastly different requirements. The highest nutrient requirements of a beef cow are the last trimester of gestation and the first 90 days of lactation. That's why it's important to sort groups of cattle according to their stage of production," said Tucker.

Second, find out what your forage (either grass or hay) is providing.

Getting hay tested will cost about $15 but may save hundreds, even thousands of dollars in unnecessary supplementation. Tucker says that each winter producers break their pocketbook buying protein supplements when they may need energy instead.

"Beef cows will usually consume around 2.5 percent of their body weight in forage dry matter. If the forage is high quality they will consume more; if it's low quality they will consume less," said Tucker.

Third, subtract the nutrient requirements of the livestock from the forage testing to determine if there is a nutrient deficiency.

And fourth, evaluate different supplement alternatives.

"Once you've determined which nutrients are deficient, you must decide how to best meet those needs. Cost, convenience, equipment needed and availability of time will all be factors in evaluating supplement alternatives," said Tucker.

Self-feeding supplements like protein blocks, salt mix and protein tubs are often chosen because of their convenience. Many producers also believe that the smaller, weaker animals will have a better chance to receive supplementation.

"Research has shown that hand feeding is actually more likely to achieve adequate consumption across the entire herd," said Tucker. "However, when feeding a supplement it is not necessary to feed it every day."

Research has also shown that as long as the overall amount remains consistent, feeding every other day or every third day is sufficient. If feeding large amounts of starch, it may be necessary to feed every day to avoid negatively impacting rumen activity.

"Putting the pencil to your supplement options can pay big dividends and mean the difference between a profitable and unprofitable year," said Tucker.