Cattlemen seek additional feed sources
by Tom Steever
A scarcity of feed in some parts of the country has cattle feeders clamoring for new resources to sustain their cattle through the winter. Cattlemen 160 strong crammed a Springfield, Illinois extension center Wednesday to hear nutrition specialists talk about the value of feeding co-products from the processing of corn and soybeans into renewable fuels, sweeteners and beverages.
Early frost and a dry season exacted a high cost to cattlemen in lost forage, according to Dave Seibert, animal systems educator at the University of Illinois.
“Many of them had to feed either all or part of their hay this summer just to get the cows through, so they’re out looking for other sources of feed to really assist with getting their cows through the winter,” Seibert told Brownfield during a break in the day-long program, “and especially if they calve in the winter, that means that they’re nutritional demands are that much higher.”
The Beef Blog 