Worst problem I have with trying to bed down calving cows with straw is that they eat it all.... :shock:
Some of the newer wheat genetic blends straw is almost like candy to cows- and on continuous cropping they will eat it both in the fall and spring.....
What we get some years in the fall because of wind/light hail storms is volunteer wheat in the stubble coming up in the fall--- and fat calves....
I recently turned out a group of skinny young bulls on to a harvested sorghum field. I was not only amazed at how long they managed to graze that field, but amazed at how well they recouperated eating what looked like almost nothing.