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Investing in a smarter hay system

The drought in parts of cattle country in 2018 highlighted the importance of diversifying feed options for beef.

University of Missouri Beef Extension Specialist Eric Bailey says producers need to look at developing a feeding system that isn’t so sensitive to drought conditions.  “This summer we got along extremely well at multiple experiment stations in the University of Missouri system with a diet that was 10 pounds of hay and 10 pounds of soy hulls,” he says.  “We had above average weaning weights and normal conception rates.”

He tells Brownfield he’s not advocating for a “no-hay” system, but a smarter hay system.  “We were able to get those soy hulls delivered for under $160 per ton,” he says.  “Corn is currently at $135 per ton.  There are some cheaper options – especially when people were paying $85 to $95 per bale.”

Bailey says last summer some cattle producers were paying around $140 per ton for hay that had decreased nutritional values because of the drought conditions.