Page 31 - MWC 2-2-2023s

Purchased Hay: The Extra Costs By Ben Beckman, Nebraska Extension Educator

The Midwest Cattleman · February 2, 2023 · P31

Winter is underway and While the sticker cost is typ- guess is close, a few percent- lespedeza and old-world
for some, dry weather has ically the first factor consid- age points either way on en- bluestems from Kansas, ab-
resulted in a lower than de- ered when buying hay, there ergy or protein content can sinthe wormwood from North
sired hay inventory. While are additional costs that pur- mean the difference between and South Dakota, or even
we can reduce demand by ad- chased hay can bring to an healthy cows come calving leafy spurge or Canada this-
justing rations or selling an- operation. and a successful breed back tle from a local hay source
imals, purchasing hay may 1) Get a Hay Test or animals in low body con- can suddenly turn a clean
be the best option to fill in a Not all hay is created dition and open animals next pasture into a battle ground
feed gap. equal. While a seller may year. with noxious weeds.
Most of the time, pur- Not only does a hay test Uninvited guests don’t
chased hay is hauled in and list hay quality in their ad- provide a better understand- have to be plants either. Al-
vertisement, without a test
fed without issue. It’s a regu- to back it up, that number is ing of what quality of product falfa weevils can be shipped
lar occurrence for many oper- just a guess. Unfortunately, you are purchasing, it can in from just about anywhere
ations and should always be more often than we’d like, help with finding the best or fire ants from Texas or
an option for consideration. that guess may be pretty far deal when comparing options. Oklahoma. Fire ants won’t

from truth. Using a tool like the UNL survive a typically harsh Ne-
Feed Cost Cow-Q-Lator can braska winter, but if it’s mild
Many fac- factor in initial feed quality, and the hay is well-sheltered,
tors go into transportation, storage, and they could be a problem for a
hay quality; feeding factors to come up season or two.
plant matu- with a cost per pound of ener- How do we mitigate these
rity, species gy or protein that can easily risks? Begin by asking ques-
present, fer- be compared with other hay tions. Find out what pests are
tilization, sources or even alternative a problem in the area your
moisture feed options. hay is coming from. Check
during grow- references. Reserve the right
ing, and how 2) Don’t Spread Invasive
the hay was Species to refuse the hay after it ar-
rives, and you’ve checked it
cured and Even if the hay looks fine, out thoroughly. Then, when
put up are unwanted hitchhikers may you feed the hay, do it only
just a few. be lurking inside. Hard to
Even if our control weeds like sericea in a small area. That way,
continued on page 33

1PM March 4, 2023 | Pawnee Rock, KS

Ash Valley Evolution 2069 Ash Valley Bottomline 2016 Ash Valley Encounter 1617
Ash Valley Evolution 9744 x Ash Valley Maiden 9062 Leachman TL Bottomline x Ash Valley Maggie 9103 Ash Valley Count 8745 x Ash Valley Maggie 8222

FEED
EFFICIENCY Top 5%
in 10
traits
LEADER
CED BW WW YW MK CEM ST CED BW WW YW MK CEM ST CED BW WW YW MK CEM ST
8 0.5 49 73 20 4 21 15 -2.0 67 113 32 8 15 11 -0.9 48 68 22 8 20
CW REA MB FT $CEZ $BMI $F CW REA MB FT $CEZ $BMI $F CW REA MB FT $CEZ $BMI $F
11 0.30 0.38 -0.08 26.41 119.27 56.30 22 0.52 0.57 -0.03 41.57 151.33 68.77 -2 0.23 0.29 -0.09 39.50 139.25 55.23

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