Background

Lack of pasture and hay production in many parts of Ontario this summer has resulted in tight hay supplies for winter. However, there are other options for feeding cattle. This article examines some of the possibilities by comparing the value of alternative feeds with hay priced at various levels. Producers can use this information to help make informed decisions regarding whether to buy hay or some combination of alternative feeds. Each proposed ration must be balanced for nutrient content (fibre,energy, protein, minerals, vitamins) to ensure it meets the needs of the cattle it is intended for.

For long term health, cattle should consume at least 0.5% of their body weight per day as forage (dry matter basis). For example, a 1400 lb cow needs a minimum of 7.7 lbs of hay or 22 lbs of corn silage (as fed basis), along with the concentrate feeds required in their diet.

Table 1 compares alternative fibre sources for feeding value and economic value compared with hay priced at $175/tonne, based on their energy and protein content (Petersen's Equation).

Alternative fibre feeds

Table 1. Alternative fibre feeds compared with hay for beef cattle (hay valued at $175/tonne [as fed] = 8 cents/lb = $64 for a 4x5 round balefootnote 1)
FeedReplacement rate relative to hay
(lbs of feed to replace 1 lb of hay [as fed])		Breakeven pricefootnote 2 ($ per tonne as fed)Maximum feeding rate
(% of total diet)footnote 3		Storage optionsFeeding optionsfootnote 4
Hay1.0$175100%N/AN/A
Corn silagefootnote 5, footnote 62.38$7460%pile, silo, bunker, bagfeed bunk
Baled corn stoverfootnote 51.43$12240%Balesbale feeder
Wheat straw1.56$11260%Balesbale feeder
Soybean straw1.59$11060%Balesbale feeder
Soybean hulls0.78$22450%flat or bin (covered)feed bunk

Table 2 gives the breakeven prices for alternative fibre sources compared to buying hay at prices ranging from $25/tonne to $350/tonne, which is equivalent to [1.1 cents/lb to 15.9 cents/lb], and [$9/bale to $127/bale] (800 lb bale).

Table 2. Breakeven price of alternative fibrous feeds for beef cattle, relative to hay at varying pricesfootnote 7 ($/tonne, as fed basis)
Alternative feedPrice of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 350Price of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 325Price of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 300Price of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 275Price of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 250Price of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 225Price of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 200Price of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 175Price of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 150Price of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 125Price of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 100Price of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 75Price of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 50Price of hay ($/tonne, as fed basis) 25
Corn silagefootnote 5147137126116105958474635342322111
Baled Corn stover2452272101921751571401221058770523517
Wheat straw224208192176160144128112968064483216
Soybean straw220204189173157142126110947963473116
Soybean hulls449417385353321288256224192160128966432

Corn stover grazing

Grazing the corn stover left in the field after grain harvesting may be an option. This would require buying and installing temporary electric fencing, providing a water source and trucking cattle to and from the field. Strip grazing is the most effective way to utilize the stover. Table 3 estimates the value of corn stover as a feed source on a per acre basis, assuming it costs $50 an acre to set up and manage the field. Assuming that the grain harvest produced 120 bu/acre, strip grazing the stover should provide 60 cow days of grazing per acre. Depending on the size of the cobs and harvest conditions, there may be a significant amount of grain left in the field. In order to minimize the risk of bloat, make sure cows are full of feed before first turn out onto the corn stover field, provide some familiar dry hay for the first couple of days, and keep a close eye on them.

Table 3. Value of corn stover ($/acre) for grazing beef cattle relative to buying hay at various pricesfootnote 8, footnote 9
Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 350Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 325Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 300Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 275Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 250Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 225Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 200Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 175Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 150Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 125Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 100Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 75Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 50Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed basis) 25
Stover value ($/acre)135122109968269564329163-10-24-37

One acre of stover would provide feed for 1 cow for 2 months, or 60 cow days per acre.

Energy and protein concentrate feeds

Although beef cows are not usually fed much in the way of concentrates, they may be required when low quality roughages such as straw make up a large component of the diet. Table 4 gives the replacement rates for some concentrate feeds, relative to the energy and protein contained in average quality hay. It also estimates the breakeven price for these alternative feeds compared with hay valued at $175/tonne.

Table 4. Alternative concentrate feeds for beef cattle, compared with hay valued at /tonne ($175/tonne [as fed] = 8 cents/lb = $60 for a 4X5 round balefootnote 10)
FeedReplacement rate relative to hay (lbs of feed to replace 1 lb of hay [as fed])Breakeven pricefootnote 10 ($/tonne as fed)Max feeding rate (% of total diet)footnote 11Storage options
Wheat shorts0.75$30625%flat or bin (covered)
Corn gluten feed (dry)0.62$31050%flat or bin (covered)
Distillers dried grains with solubles0.50$41430%flat (covered)
Brewers grains (wet)2.44$7340%pile, bunker, bag
Oats0.81$21960%flat or bin (covered)
Barley0.76$24130%flat or bin (covered)
Shelled corn0.81$21640%flat or bin (covered)
Soymeal 48%0.40$43815%flat or bin (covered)
Wheat0.73$24030%flat or bin (covered)

Note: A feed bunk is required for concentrate feeds. Ground feeding may result in up to 30% loss.

Table 5 gives the breakeven prices for concentrate feeds compared with buying hay at prices ranging from $25/tonne to $350/tonne, which is equivalent to [1.1 cents/lb to 15.9 cents/lb], and [$9/bale to $127/bale] (800 lb bale).

Table 5. Breakeven price of concentrate feeds for beef cattle, relative to buying hay at various pricesfootnote 12
Alternative feedPrice of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 350Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 325Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 300Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 275Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 250Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 225Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 200Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 175Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 150Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 125Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 100Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 75Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 50Price of hay, $/tonne (as fed) 25
Wheat shorts4674334003673333002672332001671331006733
Corn gluten feed (dry)5654244844444033633232822422021611218140
Distillers dried grains & solubles70065060055050045040035030025020015010050
Brewers grains (wet)143133123113102928272615141312010
Oats432401370340309278247216185154123936231
Barley461428395362329296263230197164132996633
Wheat4794454113773423082742402051711371036834

These various alternative feeds can be used to stretch hay supplies or provide novel rations for beef cows. Producers should work with a feeds specialist prior to making dramatic ration changes. Any new feeds need to be introduced slowly to avoid digestive upset. It may take up to 2 weeks to complete the change if the 2 diets are very different.