BRG, it is my guess that you are using straw for dry matter and the
nutrition requirements have been met with your other feed. I don't think
Decker should feed 25 lbs. of straw and some alfalfa. For one thing,
I don't think 2 year-old heifers can eat 25 lbs. of straw because it is
highly indigestible. Please notice that BRG said straw makes good filler. That's about it, I'm afraid.
Decker, I plan to show you the requirements of your 2 year old heifers during the winter and how what you plan to feed falls short of meeting their nutritional requirements. But I'm having trouble finding the feed
value of barley straw. Old cows can digest straw better than young cows
because they have had more experience doing it. The fact that your
straw is 2 years old, is helpful because it has been broken down some,
due to age.
Digestibility is a big deal in feeding livestock. Mature or over-mature
hay is not as digestible as hay cut early on. Of course, straw is very mature feedstuffs.
I'm happy that you are asking questions.
This forum is a good place to find answers.