Utilize pastsure forage for winter feed

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

Dr. Larry Redmon, state Extension forage specialist, suggests producers develop a good controlled grazing program that will help alleviate feed costs during the winter. -- Staff photo by Taylor

August 25, 2005 - With temperatures still hovering around the 100-degree mark, it may be hard for livestock producers to imagine cool temperatures and a need for winter feed.

On Aug. 12, producers met with Texas Cooperative Extension specialists for a Beef Cattle and Brush Control Seminar in Lockhart. One of the presentations was from Dr. Larry A. Redmon, state forage specialist with Texas A&M University (TAMU).

As Redmon explained, during the spring and summer months, the biggest worry most producers have is how much rain they will receive during the warm spring and hot summer days. Something else they may want to consider is how to save money on feed when the cooler weather sets in during the fall and winter months.

The first thing that needs to be addressed, according to Redmon, is to develop some type of a “controlled grazing program.” Obviously, the more pastures producers have to rotate the herd through will encourage success in the program. Redmon cited producers should “plan on providing approximately 45 to 60 days of grazing with the dormant Bermuda grass.”

Utilizing the dormant bermuda grass in the winter is called “stockpiling,” and Redmond said the stockpiled Bermuda grass is usually used up by January.

In order for this type of grazing to be successful, adequate moisture and appropriate fertilizer must be present. If there is not enough moisture received during September, October and November, Bermuda grass will not develop properly. Later pastures used in the controlled grazing program should be “over-seeded” with annual ryegrass, which can provide enough nutrition for the remainder of the winter.

If this type of a program is used, hay will only be needed in the late winter or if there is a drought or ice and snow in the area. Redmon was emphatic about keeping sufficient hay inside a barn for use, as needed. According to tests, “good hay stored appropriately in a barn does not have to be replenished each year, and can last for many years without further deterioration, once an approximately 10 percent in dry matter and nutritive value occurs during the first year of storage.”

Redmon answered questions concerning the type of covering used on baled hay. He said round bales placed in a barn, or under a tarp, will stay good for years and will even pay for the barn’s construction cost in the savings of less wasted, or ruined, hay. The plastic “net wrap” that encases the round bale does little good to protect the hay, according to Redmon.

A good test of hay is to offer it to your cattle and see if they will eat it.

If hay is purchased, Redmon explained that producers need to know the hay’s crude protein value. Producers can contact their county’s Extension office about forms and procedures for submitting the hay for testing.

In some cases, rather than purchasing equipment to cut and bale hay, Redmon noted it can be more cost efficient to purchase hay from a respected, area dealer. That way, the pastures can be utilized for the controlled grazing program.

In order for this grass grazing program to work, producers will need to make sure there is enough moisture to produce the levels of Bermuda grass needed. Redmon said that a 1,000-pound cow will consume about 26 pounds of forage dry matter (DM) per day. To make sure the pasture’s soil has the correct nutrients, again, producers can contact their county’s Extension office for information on soil sample procedures.

Redmon concluded his presentation with the “take home” message: “Consider the alternatives to feeding hay whenever possible.”