Feeding Cows in a Big Way

Here is what we were doing a couple days ago.







So we could bring the heavy girls in, and watch them a bit closer.







We have 50/140 head in right now. The first of them are due about Feb 26 and the last bull went out for about March 3. So any day now.

[luvrulz]

Are you shredding hay and piling it up like that to feed your herd? I have never seen that done and just wonder why you do it that way...... Is there less waste than just leaving the bales or rolls out there?

[topside1]

Won't the hay rot and mold quicker shredded like that?

[topside1]

great photos, thanks. Looks like it could get a bit windy in your neck of the plains...

By shredding it we can mix in some poorer quality feed with the good stuff, and they won't leave as much. Plus, there is less waste, as they don't pull it through the bunk, and therefore don't tramp it into the ground. We usually roll our bales out on the ground. Less waste than leaving them sit in one spot, or putting them in a bale feeder. The only time we use bale feeders, is if we are feeding a group of less than 20 head.

It will mold quicker, but that pile will only last about 1 1/2 - 2 months. We don't get too much rain here, so it isn't a huge worry for us. There is 50 head eating on it now, and we have another 100 head out, the only ones in are the heavy cows.

[ksfarmer]

Randiliana: What kind of hay do you grind? Do your cows self feed off the stack or do you pitch it up to the rack? I grind too, hire a local guy to custom grind , we can do about 50 bales in an hour if I can throw them in fast enough. I mix alfalfa, brome grass, native grass, sudan, and some oat hay. I feed with a couple of feeder wagons like mobile bunks that I fill each day and park. You are right, it is a good way to utilize some poorer hay and have less waste.

[Tam319]

Howdy to my "neighbour" to the east

Oooooh, I am jealous! I asked Santa to bring me a bale shredder for Christmas but he didn't come through. I think that would be a fabulous way to feed my goats and cut down on waste.

Thanks for sharing the pictures! Good old Sask...looks nice and chilly as usual

[myersfarm]

I grind my hay I have a NDE grinder I can grind one good and one bad bale and the beef cows eat all of it seems when I grind it knocks the mold off the bad bale......also run water in the grinder and the skinny beef cows can gain weight on it.......mine runs off the pto....tjm

Originally Posted by ksfarmer

Randiliana: What kind of hay do you grind? Do your cows self feed off the stack or do you pitch it up to the rack? I grind too, hire a local guy to custom grind , we can do about 50 bales in an hour if I can throw them in fast enough. I mix alfalfa, brome grass, native grass, sudan, and some oat hay. I feed with a couple of feeder wagons like mobile bunks that I fill each day and park. You are right, it is a good way to utilize some poorer hay and have less waste.

This year we ground 1/2 alfalfa, 1/4 fall rye bales and 1/4 3-4 year old straw bales. We have ground up kochia/grain bales in the past as well.

We fork/push the feed up to the bunk, and they are basically on self feed. My husband runs that tubgrinder for the guy that owns it, so we can use it when we need to.

Originally Posted by Tam319

Howdy to my "neighbour" to the east

Oooooh, I am jealous! I asked Santa to bring me a bale shredder for Christmas but he didn't come through. I think that would be a fabulous way to feed my goats and cut down on waste.

Thanks for sharing the pictures! Good old Sask...looks nice and chilly as usual

Hello!! That is the only feed we grind up. The rest of the bales get rolled out or put in feeders for the cows (depends where and how many we are feeding) But it works better to grind that big pile for the cows in the maternity pen. Once they calve they go back to the rolled out bales. We don't own the grinder, but my hubby runs that one for the guy that owns it.

Glad you enjoyed the pics. And, it isn't nearly so cold as it looks. Only -13 C this morning. We don't usually get that cold down here. Regina is -28 C this morning.

[Rockin'B]

Very cool pics!

Thanks for posting them.