Many cattle producers, particularly in the southeast part of the province, are facing a challenge with feeding their animals over the winter, after dry conditions last summer resulted in poor hay yields and quality.
"2012-13 has been one of the most challenging winter feeding programs that we've had in a while," says Ben Hamm, Business Development Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture in Vita. "This area is usually in a surplus situation when it comes to feeding supplies, things like grass and native hay, but we're definitely looking at a challenging year as we're very short."
"We've been forced to deal with the situation and feed some of the lower quality feeds, which this area typically hasn't done," he says. "That means we're increasing the percentage of straw in the diet, which is very challenging and there are some definite risks associated with that."
Straw falls short in meeting both the energy and protein requirements.
"Typical straw is sitting at about 4 percent protein and the energy isn't that great. In the earlier gestation periods for a cow, the feeding requirements are around 7 percent protein and 55 TDN, so we definitely are short," says Hamm.
To avoid problems with calving, he encourages producers to have their feed tested to determine a plan for meeting their animals' nutritional requirements.
"Feed testing is encouraged every year, but this year especially if you're skimping with lower quality feeds," he says.
Hamm was one of the speakers at the Southeast Beef and Forage Day in Vita earlier this week. Beef and Forage Days are taking place in various communities across the province.
Source: PortageOnline