Viewing a thread - Feeding hay yesterday

Forums | Classifieds (92) | Skins | Language

You are logged in as a guest. ( logon | register )

Feeding hay yesterday	View previous thread :: View next thread
Forums List -> Stock Talk	Message format

Jim

Posted 3/23/2020 12:26 (#8131977)
Subject: Feeding hay yesterday

Driftless SW Wisconsin

I was feeding wrapped hay yesterday and was amazed at the feed quality for this time of year compared to my old method of just netwrap stored outside in a row up and down a slope. I took a couple pics to post. There has been very little wasted hay this winter since I started wrapping everything, regardless of moisture levels.

Then read the feeding hay in the mud thread below. While mud is certainly a problem here in SW WI as usual this time of year, I am in the driftless hills. Lots of clay but also slopes. I close of most of my rotational grazing strips with electric wires so they don't get destroyed before turn out some time in early May. There is a grassy area on the edge of the woods with no feed value but provides some plalces for cows and heifers to start calving, theoretically May 1. Some of my cows already need a wide load sign, hope I don't get any twins this spring.

My 2 groups of about 25 head each have sacrifice areas of about 3 acres I use to feed hay, moving the hay feeders around to the driest spots I can find. These sacrifice areas will be Aerwayed and seeded to a variety of pasture mixes, peas and oats followed by sudan or turnips and radishes...

Here are a couple pics of the wrapped high moisture bales as I put them out. One bale (on the loader spear) was from a row of first cutting mixed grasses, the other (on the 3-point) from an oat nurse crop. The cattle in this group were all in a paddock by the shed where I had put out the previous bales. I closed the paddock gate to give myself some time without them all crowding around the bales as I take off the netwrap.

Last night I thawed a package of rib steaks. I thought these 1-1/4" thick steaks looked pretty well marbled for all grass fed 16 month old beef.

edit: I'll add a pic of part of my other group from putting out hay the day before. Evidently they didn't get the "social distancing" message!

Edited by Jim 3/23/2020 15:31