The Cow-Calf Manager
Dr. John B. Hall, Extension Beef Specialist, VA Tech
Limiting Hay Intake by Cows
Several articles that the VT Extension Beef Team has written over the last few months indicated that one way to stretch hay supplies was to feed grain/by-products and limit feed hay. Since those articles appeared, many folks asked for methods to decrease or limit hay intake.
How much is enough?
Long stem hay is important for healthy rumen function. There must be sufficient “scratch factor” to stimulate rumen motility and salivation. Rumen motility is important for proper mixing of feed with rumen microbes to enhance digestion. Salivation is critical to maintaining the rumen at the correct pH. A minimum of 5 lbs of hay per cow per day is needed to maintain rumen function.
Methods to control intake
Back when we all fed small square bales limiting intake was rather easy. Knowing the weight of the bales (usually 40 to 60 lbs), we simply decided how many cows per bale and put out the correct number. With large bales (round or square), the job of limiting hay intake becomes more difficult. The first step is to know how much the bales you make weigh. Your baler salesman is a nice guy, but the figure he gives you on bale weight is usually the maximum. Weigh a few bales on a cattle scale or take a load to the truck scale and weigh them.
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