Winter grazing tour highlights cost-saving mix of cover crops and silage

A Speedy Metropolis, Man., beef producer’s winter grazing methods are decreasing reliance on saved feed, however an knowledgeable warned cost-saving measures don’t at all times meet cattle’s dietary wants.

Producers obtained an in depth have a look at a number of of these approaches throughout a Jan. 12 winter grazing tour on the Bos household farm. Jordan Bos demonstrated how cowl crops, straw and silage pile grazing match into the operation’s winter feeding plan.

Slightly than relying closely on chopped silage, the operation is grazing a mix of feed sources by the winter. These embody pea straw, barley straw and hay at roughly 20 kilos of dry matter per head per day.

“3 times per week we come out with a rack of straw and simply roll it out for them so all of them have entry,” Bos mentioned.

WHY IT MATTERS: Consultants say that utilizing cowl crops, straw and silage grazing will help cattle producers handle winter feed prices, so long as rations are rigorously balanced to fulfill herd dietary wants.

Cowl crops on the Bos farm value about $35 an acre to determine, with funding help for a water website supplied by an area watershed district.

“It’s good if you will get some funding and minimize the associated fee,” Bos mentioned.

The farm usually fertilizes its corn however not its cowl crop.

The tour included an illustration of the farm’s feed truck and TMR mixer, which they name “Mad Max.” The truck reduces labour throughout the winter.

“The thought is to make use of that truck as a lot as we are able to for an excellent a part of the winter,” Bos mentioned.

Silage pile grazing in follow

Silage pile grazing was one other cease on the tour. Cattle are grazing the pile with minimal waste, Bos mentioned.

“I don’t suppose they’re losing a lot. They’re consuming it proper right down to the filth,” he mentioned. “It appears to be working good.”

The silage pile is about 70-feet large, with each side uncovered, offering roughly 140 toes of house for about 300 head. Electrical wire is adjusted each day to regulate entry and handle utilization.

“You get fairly good utilization like this,” Bos mentioned. “It’s cheaper than hauling it out.”

The winter feeding system seems to be assembly cattle wants, Bos mentioned.

“The animals appear fairly content material and full.”

Significance of feed testing and balanced rations

Whereas various feed sources like pea and barley straw will help handle prices when accessible, provincial livestock and forage extension specialist Kristen Bouchard-Teasdale mentioned that it’s essential to make sure correct feed testing and balanced rations.

“Winter feed provides are our largest expense in these cattle productions,” she mentioned. “How individuals feed and what proportions they’re in a position to combine into their ration goes to be dictated by the standard of the feed elements that they’ve available.”

Producers incorporating straw into winter rations want to make sure cattle obtain ample protein and vitality, notably throughout excessive chilly intervals just like the one which has been gripping most of Manitoba for the previous few weeks.

“Cows can’t eat sufficient of these fibrous feeds, just like the pea straw and the barley straw, to have the ability to meet these vitality necessities particularly,” she mentioned.

That’s why feed testing is so important for growing efficient winter feeding methods, she added.

“Get your feed examined, know the way a lot you may have of one thing and exactly what’s in it, after which you may have that info. It makes it a lot simpler to have the ability to change your technique if want be,” Bouchard-Teasdale mentioned.

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