Economic Benefit to Feeding Ground Large Round Bales of Hay to Cows

Abstract

Wintering beef cows is the most expensive variable cost in beef cow production (OSU). The majority of the costs associated with wintering cows come from feeding them harvested feeds. In parts of the United States some producers have utilized stockpiled fescue and other cool season forages to extend the grazing season as long as possible to reduce the expenses associated with feeding harvested hay. Hay production costs have escalated as well. Rising fuel, fertilizer, and machinery costs have increased the cost of producing hay from $50 per ton five years ago to $100-$125 per ton today (VCE Ag Econ data). Large round bales (LRB) of hay have become the predominant method of hay production in the United States. One of the problems with feeding LRB is the hay losses that occur at feedout. In studies the losses associated with feeding LRB has ranged from 8% to 40% depending on how the hay is fed and how often. Reducing the amount of hay losses during feed out would lower the costs of wintering beef cows.