Triangle Bar
Well-known member
http://www.cattlenetwork.com/advice-and-tips/stockerpasturerangeland/alfalfa-hay-protein-supplement
Denny said:So how much alfalfa can you feed a range cow? I now have a opportunity to sell my meadow hay for bedding and can replace it with alfalfa @ even money so instead of feeding slough hay with a alfalfa supplement it'll be more like corn silage ,mixed upland hay and alfalfa in the 10# range per day.
Triangle Bar said:Last year and this year also, I am feeding a 1 to 1 ration of alfalfa hay to grass hay during the winter. Just before calving and until green grass, I will feed a 2 to 1 ration of grass hay to alfalfa hay. In the past I've done it the other way around. I like having the greater protein and TDN during the worst of the cold weather and then having a less protein and TDN during calving season. There is still adequate protein and energy but not enough to turn beef cows into almost dairy cows far as milk production.
Brad S said:Yeah, I was meaning lick tubs that also deliver mineral. Protein delivered through a tub is cost prohibitive, and then I learn they don't do a good job of delivering mineral.
PPRM said:Brad S said:Yeah, I was meaning lick tubs that also deliver mineral. Protein delivered through a tub is cost prohibitive, and then I learn they don't do a good job of delivering mineral.
I feel there's a few times it makes sense to put out tubs. But very few. It generally is something I do for a very short season when I can't get to the cattle very regularly (Like once every 3 weeks). Tubs are cheaper than lost condition on a cow that is using a calf and you are trying to get her to breed back or rain a fetus.
They do if it's actually a mineral tub and not a protein tub. The protein tub will have minerals but with the low consumption on the better cooked tubs the amount of mineral received is minimal. Keep out a good loose mineral preferably with chelated minerals. And don't forget energy. Cattle with a negative energy balance lose weight, and have decreased milk production.Brad S said:FH is absolutely correct that 10% total ration protein is adequate for dry cows in good flesh. Seems like we're always chasing flesh so I use a 12% target on dry cows.
I didn't realize tubs did a poor job of delivering mineral - I thought mineral delivery was the lone redemption for mineral tubs, but I'm quite certain FH knows the score in that area.
When FH says "don't know how to score corn silage," that's just one of those feed ingredients that's so variable it simply must be tested for feed value.
< $1 calves are coming, and this thread is valuable.
George said:I think protein tubs will allow you to get by on lesser quality hay - - - but you would probably be money ahead to just step up and buy some better hay.