By Rikki Wilson, AAg, Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist, Humboldt
January 2024
When economies of scale do not allow for producers to purchase a mix wagon to feed a total mixed ration to their livestock, the age-old method of bales and pails can still get the job done. While this method may reduce accuracy, employing a few tips and tricks will help to ensure you are maximizing efficiency in whatever ways possible.
You can’t manage what you don’t measure.
Do a feed inventory and weigh all the feed you plan to use. This will enable you to better manage all of your feed and determine whether you will have enough or if more feed needs to be purchased. Test all the feeds you plan to use. Knowing the quality of your feed will help you to make feeding decisions throughout the winter that can allow you stretch your feed inventory or prevent overfeeding. By determining which feeds are poorer quality and which are good quality, producers can plan which forages to use in early gestation when nutritional requirements are low versus which good quality forages should be kept for late gestation and lactation.
Forage probes can be borrowed from ministry regional offices, as well as at select Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation offices.
Reduce competition.
Reduce competition for feed in your herd by managing by age and size of the animals. Mature cows should be fed separately from replacement and bred heifers. Not only because of the difference in their nutritional requirements but also because of competition at the feeder. In some cases, it may also be necessary to separate mature cows even further whether it be by size or by age to reduce competition. Have enough feeder and bunk space available to the animals:
| Feed space requirement per beef cow | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Once or twice per day feeding | ||
| Mature cows | 24-30 in | 600-700 mm |
| Feeders | 22-26 in | 560-660 mm |
| Calves | 18-22 in | 450-560 mm |
| Continuous feeding | ||
| Roughage | 6-8 in | 150-200 mm |
| Grain | 4-6 in | 100-150 mm |
If feeding grain, allot mature cows a minimum of three pounds per feeding to reduce competition. Remember, do not exceed eight pounds per feeding for a mature cow. Anything greater than this should be split-fed into equal portions twice per day.
Rotate what you feed.
In some cases, rotating what you feed each day may be necessary to ensure livestock are meeting nutritional requirements. If you have a low-protein slough hay and a high-protein barley greenfeed available, alternate feeding the hay and greenfeed. This minimizes the risk of large animals out-competing small animals for greenfeed every day.
Assume there will be waste.
Depending on your feeding methods, forage waste is assumed to be anywhere between 10 and 30 per cent. With round bale feeders, if supplying feed every day, assume waste is 10 to 15 per cent. If feeding directly on the ground, either with a bale processor or baled forage with no feeder, assume waste can be even higher. When feeding on the ground, it is recommended to feed limited amounts twice per day to reduce waste. Beef Nutrition Consultant Barry Yaremcio has a video outlining the different levels of waste seen in various feeding systems.
Mix your minerals.
It is recommended to mix minerals directly into the grain portion of the ration being provided to ensure all animals are receiving their daily mineral supplement. If mixing directly into grain is not an option, mixing loose mineral with salt is another way to encourage intake as cattle will actively seek out salt even if they have not been consuming the recommended amount of mineral. Assume a mature beef cow will consume one ounce of salt per day and calves, half ounce per day. Always follow label directions for mixing and monitor mineral intake. Forages high in sodium will reduce salt intake as they are getting enough from their feed. In this case, mixing mineral with salt will not encourage intake. Testing forages for quality will help determine if they are high in salt. In these cases, providing minerals through lick tubs containing molasses or dry distillers’ grains is also an option that may encourage intake.
Managing your feed inventory is important every year, but especially in years when there is less feed available. For more information on winter feeding strategies, livestock nutrition, and forage testing, contact your regional livestock and feed extension specialist or call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.