Drought and Animal Feed Requirements

— Written By and last updated by
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

droughtLivestock producers in western North Carolina have been impacted by the worst drought in recent years. There has been little rainfall in the region since mid-summer and the available forage in pastures has been eaten, forcing producers to start feeding hay early. It is critical that farmers with livestock determine how much hay or other feeds they will need to make it through the winter and to obtain it soon. Because drought has also impacted Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, we expect a shortage of hay and anticipate that hay will eventually have to be shipped in from long distances.

To determine how much hay is needed, farmers need to inventory the number of animals they have and their average weight. Then they need to determine how much hay they have on hand, and their expected shortage that they need to be shopping for. Now is the time to evaluate winter feed supplies vs. requirements and develop a plan of action. If the feed supply is inadequate, additional feed must be acquired, or cattle numbers reduced (culling).

The first step is determining the number of days feed will be required. Typically this is 100 to 120 days. However, this can vary greatly depending on our weather, stocking density of pastures, and the amount of stockpiled forage and this year will be longer. Stockpiling is an excellent way to reduce stored feed requirements . . . but stockpiling all depends on the weather and this year almost impossible.

A quick, easy way to estimate feed requirements is on the basis of animal units. This can be done based on a mature cow equal to one unit, a mature bull equal to one and a half units, yearling cattle equal to one-half unit, and calves equal to one-fourth unit. Utilizing this method, each animal unit will require approximately 25 pounds of hay or 50 pounds of corn silage per day, assuming average to good quality hay or silage. This also assumes less than 10% waste during feeding and storage.

For an average sized herd of 35 cows, one bull, 8 replacement heifers and 16 yearling steers with a winter feeding period of 120 days, the following is an example calculation of stored feed requirements:

35 cows x 1 animal unit = 35 animal units

1 bull x 1.5 animal unit = 1.5 animal units

8 replacement heifers x 0.5 animal unit = 4 animal units

16 yearling steers x 0.5 animal unit = 8 animal units

The herd total is 48.5 animal units.

48.5 animal units x 120 days x 25 pounds of hay per day = 145,500 pounds of hay

How many 500 pound round bales are needed?

145,500 pounds / 500 lb bales = 291 bales

You also must have a good estimate of the quantity of feed available to determine if the animals’ needs can be met. When estimating quantity of hay, it is best to obtain the average weight of several bales and then multiply this times the number of bales.

Remember this is only a very quick estimate. To be more accurate, you need to consider nutritional requirements for the size of animal and stage of reproduction or growth desired. Also, feed supply can be more accurately estimated if you have a forage analysis to determine the exact nutrient content.

Cooperative Extension Livestock Agents have the ability to work with farmers to determine their hay needs and to help them locate hay or alternative feeds that can be purchased. When hay is not available, it is possible to feed silage or concentrate feeds, but they require different management, so, again, ask your agent for help.

There are several tools that can be used to locate hay and other feeds including the Hay Alert website maintained by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (www.ncagr.gov/hayalert). This website can be used to advertise hay for sale and producers can also use it to advertise that they need hay. There also are listings of trucking companies available to help move hay. If you need help using this tool, your Cooperative Extension Livestock Agent can also help you with that.

NCSU Extension

Written By

John Cothren, N.C. Cooperative ExtensionJohn CothrenCounty Extension Director, Wilkes & Interim CED, Ashe Call John Email John N.C. Cooperative Extension, Wilkes County Center
Updated on Jan 6, 2023
Was the information on this page helpful? Yes check No close
Scannable QR Code to Access Electronic Version