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Do dairy cows need Hay?
How much Hay does a cow eat a day?
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Is alfalfa hay good for cattle?
Processing or grinding hay is the most efficient method for limit-feeding, but rolling out bales on frozen ground is also an option. Monitor body condition scores and adjust feed accordingly to maintain cows at a body condition of 5/9 and heifers at a body condition of 6/9.
Sep 10, 2023 · A cow consumes between 2% to 2.5% of its body weight in hay daily. To put this into perspective, a 1,000-pound cow eats 20 to 25 pounds of hay daily. However, this is a general guideline and may fluctuate based on hay quality, nutritional needs, and availability of other food sources.
Aug 13, 2021 · Dairy cattle need the best hay— with the most nutrients per pound— since they are producing more milk than a beef cow. Most dairy cattle will not milk adequately on grass hay, nor on stemmy, coarse alfalfa without many leaves.
- Alfalfa Hay. Alfalfa hay is high-protein legume hay that is a great choice for cows during any time of the year. This type of hay contains somewhere between 15% and 25% protein.
- Bermuda Grass Hay. Bermuda hay is another hay for cows that is relatively popular in the United States. On average, this hay has around 9.2% crude protein depending on the variety, an amount that may not be sufficient for lower weight, growing, or pregnant cattle.
- Oat Hay. Oat hay is a great option for cattle because it contains a moderate amount of protein. While not as rich as alfalfa in the protein department, oat hay contains an average of 9.1% crude protein.
- Timothy Grass Hay. Timothy grass hay is a popular horse hay, but it is also a good hay for cattle as well. Timothy grass hay has an average crude protein content of 8%, which also varies between producers and the quality of the grass.
So your 250-pound feeder calf needs 7 pounds of hay per day. A square bale isn’t going to last very long at that rate! And remember, as you are feeding, the cows are growing. The daily intake will continue to grow. Even if you choose a breed of miniature cattle, hay and pasture will still be your biggest concern.
Yes, cows eat hay all the time. In fact, this farm animal has been eating hay for several hundred thousand years. The livestock farmers would continue to feed hay as there are a million reasons to do so.
Oct 27, 2022 · After calving and during early lactation, the cow may weigh 100 pounds less, but will be able to consume about 2.6% of her body weight (100% dry matter) in hay. This would translate into 36 pounds of “as-fed” hay per cow per day necessary to be hauled to the pasture. This again assumes 15% hay wastage.
