This year’s dry conditions have left some livestock producers looking for more feed.
Regional Livestock Specialist Sarah Sommerfeld says with some shortages of perennial forages producers are looking at other options.
She says it’s even more important this year to do a feed test and analysis so producers know what they have to work with.
"If you have been able to put up some alfalfa grass hay as well as secure some barley grain feed and perhaps maybe a salvage canola crop for a grain feed," she explained. "All three of those different types of feed should be sampled and submitted for feed analysis separately."
She says depending on the feed test results producers may need to look at increasing rations or supplements to ensure the animal’s nutrient requirements are met over the winter.
"When she is at mid-pregnancy you need to be providing her about 8% protein and 55% total digestible nutrients or TDN and that's really the energy content of that feed," Sommerfeld said. "As she moves into late-pregnancy you want to be providing her more protein and more energy, so 10% protein and 60% TDN."
Source : Discoverestevan