By Kenny Burdine
For most cow-calf operations, winter feed is the single largest cost and one of the biggest drivers of overall profitability. As we move through fall, hay feeding is becoming a major focus: some operations are preparing, some have just started, and some have been feeding hay for quite some time. The cost of winter feeding primarily depends on three things: the cost of producing or purchasing hay, the number of days hay is fed, and how efficiently that hay is stored and fed.
At this point in the year, most hay has already been produced or purchased. If an operator does feel they need to purchase additional hay, it likely makes sense to source that hay soon. Hay prices tend to climb through the winter in years when supplies are short. It is also wise to have a little extra hay on hand since no one can predict how hard the winter will be or how early cattle can get back on spring pastures.
The number of days hay is fed depends largely on pasture conditions, and those conditions are poor in many areas. Much of the country has been dealing with drought for several months, and pastures across the US are generally in unfavorable shape. Farmers who are fortunate enough to still have grazable forage should use it as efficiently as possible. Culling open cows and poor producers can also stretch available pasture a little further. However, with calf prices at historically strong levels, most producers will likely want to keep bred cows, and cows with calves, through the winter.
How efficiently hay is stored and fed also has a major impact on winter feed costs, even though those losses can be hard to see and measure. A ton of hay costs the same whether it is consumed or wasted. Practical steps to cut waste often include storing bales off the ground and under cover, using hay rings or feeders, and feeding hay in quantities that cattle will consume relatively quickly. The right mix depends on the operation, but even modest changes can reduce waste.
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