When Hay Supplies Are Tight

When Mother Nature impacts hay quantity and quality, it’s time to look for other options to maintain cattle through the winter months.

“Ranchers need to inventory their fall and winter feed supplies as soon as possible to develop economical feeding strategies,” says John B. Hall, professor and beef Extension specialist at the University of Idaho.

He recommends taking hay samples for nutrient analysis, which will prevent overfeeding hay or underfeeding cows.

Consider these suggestions as alternatives to hay.

Strategic destocking

Destocking can alleviate immediate pressure on hay supplies and provide an influx of money to reinvest in the farm, such as purchasing alternative feeds, paying down debt or investing in infrastructure improvements, says Jimmy Henning, a professor in the department of plant and soil sciences at the University of Kentucky.

“By selling off older or non-productive animals, farmers can reduce the demand on their hay supplies,” Henning says. “It’s a tough decision, but in a year like this, it can be a vital strategy for ensuring the herd’s long-term sustainability.”

The decision to destock should also be coupled with a plan to restock or try alternative enterprises such as yearlings, he suggests. Hall says it’s important to run budget analysis on the destocking option, including tax implications.

“With calf prices appearing strong the next two to three years, and replacing cows possibly costly, investigate all options,” Hall says. “While reducing cow numbers might not be the best option, the value of bred cows is high, which might create an income opportunity over feeding alternatives.”