Cows and Hay

[masawyer]

I was wondering how much hay I will need from now till spring for our steer? He is 3 months old. How much hay do they eat a week?

Thanks,

Marsha in OK

[Callieslamb]

It will depend on your location. how long is your winter? what temps can you expect. What kind of shelter will he have, etc? What kind of hay? Grass? alfalfa? Clover? Mix?

I counted a full-grown milk cow as needed about 1 bale (4-50 lbs) of grass/alfalfa hay a day. Some days she ate more and some less.

[SCRancher]

I asked a similar question of my vet - he said 2-3 % of their body weight per day which for me and my cows (around 1,200 - 1,400) pounds each. So that works out to be around 25-40 pounds per day each.

3 month old calf weighs... what around 225-350 pounds? so 5-10 pounds of hay per day?

VERY rough estimates. So a moderate bale of 50 pounds should last around a week if you can minimize waste.

Anyway these would be my starting points unless someone with more experience - very easy to get here since my experience is limited - tells you otherwise.

[topside1]

Callies is right, lots of factors to consider...The book says 3% of body weight, I usually say 7% of body weight, this year I'll say 5%. I think 5% is a fine figure, this figure is based on food and wasted hay. Really depends on your feeding setup. Stick with 5% and your calf will be eatin just fine....Having to much hay is much smarter than having to little....Topside

[gone-a-milkin]

Originally Posted by topside1

....Having to much hay is much smarter than having to little....Topside

Exactly this. You would be better to round up your estimate of how much you will need.
It is no fun having to buy hay in the late winter or early spring.
If you store your hay properly, it will keep for a long time.

[masawyer]

Thanks for your help!

Marsha in OK!

[boiledfrog]

Every time I see the pounds of feed or medicine per pound of cow I picture myself holding a 3/4's grown steer in my arms as I stand on a scale. Heck it works for puppies.

[MO_cows]

Good thinking to get your hay situation lined out NOW and not when the grass is done or the snow flies.

[francismilker]

I try to figure 5% as a rough estimate. However, most of the time I'm guilty of not weighing my hay to truly know. In most years, I'm swimming in hay that I make here at the house. This year, I'm not making any hay and will have to buy a little to get me through. In rough conditions like this year I try to figure 5-6 large round bales per cow to give them some roughage and make the rest up with grain of some type.

The thing about feeding hay that I've found is that if you feed it in a matter that they have to eat it all by unrolling it or buy keeping it in a hay ring they will waste less. If you put a full round bale out for a single steer you'll likely lose half of it to weather and cow poop.

[ufo_chris]

Originally Posted by francismilker

I try to figure 5% as a rough estimate. However, most of the time I'm guilty of not weighing my hay to truly know. In most years, I'm swimming in hay that I make here at the house. This year, I'm not making any hay and will have to buy a little to get me through. In rough conditions like this year I try to figure 5-6 large round bales per cow to give them some roughage and make the rest up with grain of some type.

The thing about feeding hay that I've found is that if you feed it in a matter that they have to eat it all by unrolling it or buy keeping it in a hay ring they will waste less. If you put a full round bale out for a single steer you'll likely lose half of it to weather and cow poop.

When I only have a few head I keep the round bale in the barn or outside the pasture and throw them the required amount twice a day. A lot less waste this way.

[spinandslide]

Originally Posted by ufo_chris

When I only have a few head I keep the round bale in the barn or outside the pasture and throw them the required amount twice a day. A lot less waste this way.

While it is more work, I am considering this..espc with hay being UTTERLY SCARCE this year...I canot afford waste

Marsha, I agree, good for you getting your hay situation squared away now. I know my small herd goes thru one 4x5 roundbale a week in the winter..but I've had them afew winters now and know their estimated eating habits.