Created by Ed Rayburn, Extension Forage Agronomist
Submitted by Brandy E. Brabham, Extension Agent
Drought often leads to over-grazed pastures and short hay supplies for the winter months. Farmers need to evaluate optional purchased feeds and decide whether it is most economical, to buy feed or sell livestock.
The economics of purchased feed is based on the cost of the feed (including trucking), the animal response to the feed, the value of the animal gain, or the substitution value of the feed compared to alternative feeds.
Due to the lack of rain last summer and fall, chances are there will be a 200-day wintering period before spring grazing. Purchasing large lots of commodity feeds delivered directly to the farm can reduce the cost of feed by up to a half compared to buying the same feed by the bag at the feed store. In that case, cooperative buying is important for small farmers in this area.
When looking at what supplemental feed to buy, compare feeds based on price and nutritive value, the availability of homegrown forages and their nutritive value, and the nutritional requirements of the livestock being fed. Below is a list of commonly available feed alternatives and some information to consider in selecting an alternative to meet your needs:
Corn gluten feed is a high-protein, high-energy feed. It is not as palatable as some other by-product feeds but animals perform well on it. Corn gluten feed can be feed at up to 15 pounds/head/day. Corn is the staple livestock feed commodity in the United States. It is readily available and relatively inexpensive. It a good source of energy, but it is low in protein. It is used regularly to feed growing and finishing cattle, dairy cattle, and sheep.
Corn can be used as a feed for dry beef cows, but caution needs to be exercised that it is used as a cost-effective supplement. If ground-shell corn is fed at more than 2 pounds/head/day with poor quality hay, hay intake and digestibility will be decreased. For growing cattle over 500 pounds in weight, ground-shell corn will provide higher gains than whole-shell corn. For young calves that chew the corn better, whole-shell corn may be a practical alternative to grinding when corn is inexpensive or is a major part of the diet.
Cottonseed is a high-energy, high-protein supplement. It is high in energy because it has a high fat content. If fed in too great an amount, the fat in the seed can adversely affect the rumen bacteria and the digestibility of hay in the ration. Whole cottonseed can be fed safely at up to 7 pounds/head/day to a mature cow.
Soybean hulls are the skins taken off soybean seeds before they are processed for oil and meal. They are relatively high-energy, medium-protein feed. When fed to dry beef cows they do not suppress the digestibility of low-quality hay. Soy hulls can be fed at up to 10 pounds/head/day to a mature cow with no adverse effects. Pelletted soy hulls will transport and feed better than soy hull flakes. The cost of pelletting may be recovered in reduced shipping cost per ton and ease of use.
Soybean meal is a high-energy, high-protein feed. This feed is probably best purchased by the bag or by the ton in small lots because it is used in only small amounts to meet the protein needs of livestock. In most situations, no more than 1 to 2 pounds of soybean meal is needed per cow per day.
Wet brewers grain is a high-protein, medium-energy feed. The main difficulties with this feed are the high moisture content that increases the transportation cost per ton of dry matter, and the associated difficulty in storage and feeding. Wet brewers grain can be fed at up to 40 pounds/head/day.
Wheat bran or midds (middlings) are moderately high in protein and energy. These feeds are slightly different by-products of the wheat milling industry but are similar in feeding value. Wheat midds can be safely fed at up to 8 pounds/head/day.
The most cost-effective supplemental feed is the one that provides the nutrients needed to balance the nutrients in the available forage. For growing weaned calves on a high-quality grass-legume mixture (hay or pasture) the most cost-effective feed will likely be ground-shell corn for energy.
To maintain dry beef cows on low-quality hay, pelletted soy hulls will likely be the best choice to provide energy and protein without reducing the digestibility of the hay. The testing of the available forage and knowing the nutrient requirements of the livestock are necessary information in determining what nutrients are needed from supplemental feeds.
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