Desperate times call for desperate measures

[bgraham]

We are under the worst drought and heatwave in decades. We've had less than 1/16 " of rain since MAY. We have mowed our lawn exactly TWICE this YEAR. There is absolutely no hay to be found. The pastures have been desimated for weeks. People are selling off their livestock because they just can't feed them. And it's August. If there is no hay now what are we going to do this winter?

I'm trying to come up with some alternative solutions for feeding my goats. I'm probably going to be cutting tree limbs this weekend when the last of my hay runs out.

If it does happen to rain between now and winter and we are able to cut the lawn again, can I collect the grass and feed it to the goats?

I've thought about asking if people need an area cleaned out and "loaning" them some of the goats for a few weeks but I'm concerned about containment and care.

So, what are your suggestions? I'm sure there are others here that are facing the same problems.

Beth

[mygoat]

You could just switch to free feeding alfalfa pellets instead of buying hay. Most farm stores have alfalfa pellets. I've heard some people on this forum claiming it's less expensive in the long run as well, but I don't know for sure.

[mamajohnson]

Beth,
where are you? We went through a rough time for the last couple of years. I guess I was brave, to get my goats last fall. I found just a few bails of hay for $12 each before the rain came back (those were the bails I can get for $5 now!) If your close enough there is plenty of hay in this corner of Texas, might be worth a bunch of folks getting a trailer load and hauling it back. That is what was done around here last year, when the hay was running out. Several would get together and buy a huge load of hay.
Anyway, just a thought. Also, if there is browse around, I would for sure see if folks would like to have the goats clean it up.
Good luck to you!

[bgraham]

mamajohnson,

We are in Tennessee. I've talked with several people about getting a truck load from somewhere but no one has committed to it yet.

mygoat, I thought alfalfa was not good for the male goats? I had a whether develop bloat once from eating alfalfa cubes and I also thought it was not good for their urinary tract. I could be wrong. I will definately look into that especially for the does.

Beth

[Jim S.]

Hard facts are hard to take. If you have not gotten your hay yet, you should sell your herd and then restart with a new herd next year if conditions improve. Get your hay next year in spring at cutting time, for the whole year. A farmer ought to be always looking one year ahead, so as to anticipate as much as possible weather or other factors.

Now, that's talking business. On the other hand, if they are pets, then toss money at them all you want. Buy pellets.

There IS hay available in TN. Have you looked here?

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?a...ding&topic=hay

I see classified ads for it all the time in the Nashville "Tennessean." You're going to really pay now cuz it is late, but there is hay. I know a man here in Lincoln County that is selling it as fast as he trucks it in here. He gets $9 a square bale. It doesn't sit there overnight, once it is unloaded.

[Jim S.]

Let me just add that the best way to be sure to have hay in short times, if you do not cut your own, is to establish a relationship with someone who cuts good-quality hay and buy from them every spring (and fall, too, if need be). My goat-raising friends who do so always have hay at decent prices, because those cutters will take care of their regular customers.

A man I know just bought some orchardgrass squares in the field here in exceptional drought Lincoln County for $2.50 each. He goes to that cutter all the time.

[homeacremom]

There is some hay around in TN, just more expensive than usual...We bought up local hay from our usual farm early and got most of it!, but I know in Cannon Co. there are several people trucking it in from MI and WV. Saw some really nice stuff last week for $7 a bale off the truck - a tad more delivered. Ask at your feedstore or Coop and look in the papers.
The market is flooded right now with people selling off. IMO if you have the money look for the best deal you can get and hang in for another year.

[topside1]

Beth, my local sales network is advertising hay off and on. I will look for any deals as soon as I am finished posting....Jim S. made it quite clear that times are tough and decisions have to be made. If you need to part with your herd then so be it, pack it in until spring kidding season begins and unfortunately start over. None of us expected the drought misery us Tennesseans are experiencing....I've become numb to its unrelenting heat and depressing landscape. If you do have to part with your herd, keep in mind I'm managing 13 does right now, six are currently bred and due to kid in January. So I will have plenty of weaned offspring for sale in March. Visit my place and pick out some a new starter group of doelings and bucks....If you need any advice just call me at home or PM me......your friend John

[topside1]

300 Bales barn kept square bale hay $4.00 per bale. Never been wet. Also 17 5x5 round bales $40.00. I am putting this on here for someone else so please no emails. The hay is in Bledsoe County. Call 423-533-2274 for more information or to reserve the hay you want. Thank you!

Beth, if you just can't part with your goats then start hitting the local sale network in your area. Here is a good example of hay for sale in my area. Granted I wouldn't pay $4.00 a bale, I would down size the herd first. Like I said if I can help, just call...John

[pookshollow]

Let me just add that the best way to be sure to have hay in short times, if you do not cut your own, is to establish a relationship with someone who cuts good-quality hay and buy from them every spring (and fall, too, if need be). My goat-raising friends who do so always have hay at decent prices, because those cutters will take care of their regular customers.

That's what I do - my neighbour around the corner has the best hay in the area, and I buy all of my hay from him. He was concerned that he might not have enough for his stock and mine, so he went out and bought some and assures me that he will not run out of hay for me. Mind you, I also worked on the hay wagon for him this summer - so he had reliable help and I get a reduction in my feed bill.

First cut hay was good this year, second cut not so plentiful, but still adequate, and I filled up my hayloft with enough for the year. It's a good feeling. I buy round bales of first cut for horses and goats, second cut in small squares. My neighbour will deliver the round bales, eleven per wagon load, as I need them through the winter.

[mygoat]

alfalfa can be ok for male goats... it is actually a certain ratio, I believe 2:1 of calcium and phosphorus. So actually if you started feeding alfalfa pellets, you'd probably have to start feeding grain to keep that ratio in balance. Or do I have that wrong? I've never looked into it... However I often feed my bucks great quality alfalfa hay, so I don't see why it would be that bad.

Oh, you can also supply them with that beet product, it's high in fiber and is for animals on little pasture... I don't think it's beet pulp, but beet shreds... whatever is left over when they take the sugar out of the beets, lol. Not sure if that's the same as shredded beet pulp.

[KimM]

In hard times, I have fed soaked alfalfa cubes and shredded beet pulp.

Hay is suppose to be scarce here in Ohio but I drive past field after field of lush hay fields. Cheapest I've found was $4.00 a bale.

[oberhaslikid]

This is what Iam feeding right now,The girls have 3 1/2 acres of browse but nothing is in there.They mow off any grass that does grow.The trees have all been trimed quite well what they can reach.The boys Can have alfalfa its calcium .Its the phosphorus in the grain that causes the urinary problems.

alfalfa pellets
oats
alfalfa cubes
Black oil sunflower seeds
Beet pulp
grain
Tomatoes and zucchini ,yellow squash cut into cubes.
bread as a treat

[fishhead]

On your question of using cut lawn grass. I've been wondering about that too lately with our drought and having to search for a measly 10 bales. As long as it's not chemically treated and dried thoroughly before you store I don't see why not.

What about contacting lawn services and getting them to drop it off at your place instead of their usual dumping spot? You'd have to spread it out right away to keep it from molding. Just make sure they know it can't have any chemicals. Around here people water their lawns and the lawn services cut and haul away tons and tons of grass even during this extreme drought.

[topside1]

Beth, one more thing. Just ride around your county, stop where you see hay rolls and ask that farmer if they have square bales for sale. Lots of farmers don't even advertise. Also consider him delivering round bales to your homestead...Just a thought....

[DQ]

I was in the same boat last year. alfalfa/timothy pellets and beet pulp saved me, but I was only feeding 2 horses and 3 goats. beet pulp is particularly digestable and in my opinion gets the most bang for your buck in bagged forage. it still broke me. it depends on what you are willing to do to keep the herd and how many critters you have. prices are low because many are selling. it might cost you just as much to sell and replace them in the spring as it would to just cough up the $ through the winter. alfalfa is fine for male goats, the phosporous in grain is what'll get them.

[Callieslamb]

I was going to start dairy goats this year, but with no grass....thought next year might be better.

If you do get rain, you might consider putting up a temporary fence with panels to let the goats eat - moving them from time to time. If I had goats now, this is what I would do. Then I still might not have to mow more than twice a year.....

[Jim S.]

I saw this drought coming 2 years ago and began preparing for it, and a lot of folks told me I was crazy, we were just going through a little dry spell back then. I think it will be dominant for us for at least another year, though the severity may not be as bad. In 2009, it will ease off more, but it may be 2010 before we start to see something like more normal rain patterns. Remember, the worst of the Texas drought lasted about 4 years.

This is the worst drought in TN and AL since they started keeping records over 100 years ago. In my county, there is worry at Extension about feeding hay that was highly fertilized, but got shorted on moisture. It can be toxic, and they are testing some samples now for nitrates.

[fishhead]

If this is the result of our changing climate we could see some major changes in rainfall patterns.

[Sweet Goats]

Beth,
I feel for you. we were there for a few years. this year it is great. So please holdhope that it will change. We are getting so much rain now, that the farmers can not get the hay cut. Good Luck