Aug. 8, 2017
Managing beef cow margins: Round bale pitfalls, part 1
by Derrell S. Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist
Round bales have been a popular feed technology in the beef industry for many years. However, there are many challenges to buying (or producing) and using round bales correctly and cost effectively. Round bales are often priced by the bale but the amount of hay in a bale depends on bale size and density. For example, assume a 5×6 round bale (5 feet wide and 6 feet in diameter or height) is priced at $52.50/bale. If the bale weighs 1,500 pounds, the price is equivalent to $70/ton. A comparable 5×5 bale (with equal density) would weigh 1,046 pounds and be priced at $36/bale ($70 ton) and a 4×5 bale (with equal density) would weigh 833 pounds and be priced at $29/bale.
The density of round hay bales varies considerably and typically ranges between 9 and 12 pounds per cubic foot (lb./ft3). In the example above, the bales are assumed to have a density of 10.61 pounds per cubic feet. Bale density varies depending on the type of forage, adjustment of the baler and skill of the baler operator. Bales with lower density weigh less; are more difficult to handle and transport; and have more storage losses. If the 5×6 bale in the example above has a density ten percent less (9.55 lb./ft3), the bale weighs 1,350 pounds while a density 15 percent less (9.02 lb./ft3) results in a bale weight of 1275 pounds. If the 5×6 bale is priced at $52.50/bale, the per-ton price increases to $78 and $82 for the lower density bales.
Round bale use inevitably results in storage and feeding losses. Hay loss with round bales varies widely depending on storage and feeding management. Well managed bale storage and feeding might limit losses to ten percent but combined storage and feeding losses frequently range up to 50 percent or higher. Round bales stored outside, uncovered and on the ground and fed in unrolled, exposed bales or in simple open-sided ring feeders will have the biggest losses, easily 30 -50 percent.
In contrast, bales stored inside or covered, off the ground and fed unrolled or in cone style feeders can limit losses to 5-15 percent. The amount of hay actually consumed by cows drops dramatically with increased storage and feeding losses. At ten percent loss, hay consumption is 1,800 pounds for each ton of hay; at 25 percent loss, hay consumption is 1,500 pounds and at 40 percent loss, hay consumption is 1,200 pounds. At $70/ton, storage and feeding losses increase the effective hay price to $78/ton (10 percent loss); $93/ton (25 percent loss); and $117/ton (40 percent loss). Storage and feeding losses combined with low bale density increases hay price further. The low density bale above (5×6 at 1275 pounds, priced at $52.50/bale) results in a hay cost of $91/ton (10 percent loss); $110/ton (25 percent loss); and $137/ton (40 percent loss). The combination of low bale density and high storage and feeding losses result in actual hay cost nearly double ($137 versus $70) the stated per-ton price of hay.
Whether hay is purchased or produced, cow-calf producers face the same challenges with round bales. Without knowing the weight and the storage and feeding losses associated with round bales, producers cannot possibly know the true cost of hay nor manage the quantity of hay consumption and cow herd nutrition. As important, or perhaps more important, than the quantity, is the quality of round bales. The cost of hay ultimately depends on the pounds of crude protein and energy delivered to the cow. Hay quality and nutrition cost will be the subject of part 2.
Stockpiled bermudagrass can reduce winter feed costs
by Glenn Selk, Oklahoma State University Emeritus Extension animal scientist
Harvested forage costs are a large part of the production costs associated with cow-calf enterprises. A 16 year-old OSU trial had the objective to economically evaluate stockpiled bermudagrass. The research found that this practice can reduce cow-wintering costs. Forage accumulation during the late summer and fall is variable from year to year depending on moisture, temperatures, date of first frost and fertility.
The OSU research has found that 50 to 100 pounds per acre of actual nitrogen fertilizer applied in the late summer has produced 1000 – 2000 pounds of forage per acre. In some ideal situations even more forage has been produced.
Studies between 1997 and 2000 found stockpiled bermudagrass protein concentrations were quite impressive, even after frost. In November, the range of protein content of the standing forage was 13.1 percent to 15.2 percent. The protein held up in December and ranged from 12.5 percent to 14.7 percent and declined to 10.9 percent to 11.6 percent in January.
To make best use of the stockpiled forage, supplementation with 2 pounds of 14 percent to 25 percent protein feed beginning in early December is recommended. Read about these studies in the 2001 OSU Animal Science Research Report. Some information about the forage quality is reported in the 1999 OSU Animal Science Research Report.
Planning for the stockpiling of Bermuda must begin now.
The following is a list of recommendations for stockpiling bermudagrass pastures for best results and reducing winter feed bills:
- Remove existing forage by haying, clipping, or grazing by late August
- Apply 50 to 100 pounds of actual nitrogen fertilizer per acre.
- Defer grazing until at least late October or early November.
- Control access to forage by rotational or strip grazing to cut waste and extend grazing.
- If cool season forage is available for use in the winter, use the stockpiled bermudagrass first.
- Supplementation (2 pounds of 14 to 25 percent protein) should begin in early December.
- Provide free-choice mineral (6 to 9 percent phosphorus and vitamin A) with a trace-mineral package.
Cow-Calf Corner is a weekly newsletter by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Agency. More information is available at sunup.okstate.edu/category/ccc.