Page 9 - MWC 3-30-2023s
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Proper hay storage, feeding                                                                 The Midwest Cattleman · March 30, 2023 · P9

      methods reduce waste


       By Linda Geist
         Due to poor storage and            •Space bales 3-plus feet  ground, exposing
      feeding methods, only about  apart for better ventilation  more of the bale
      half of Missouri hay reaches  and easier access with a trac- to              weathering
      the cow’s mouth, says Uni- tor.                                       and spoilage.
      versity of Missouri Extension         •Butt bales end to end.           Bale size mat-
      livestock specialist Andy Mc-         •Place  bales on  gravel  or  ters, too. Larg-
      Corkill.                           elevate them on pallets or  er-diameter bales
         This leads to waste and  old tires to reduce moisture  have less loss.
      reduced profits, especially as  wicking from the ground.  Smaller                   bales
      producers reset their herds  Bales stored on damp soil                                      Hay rings reduce waste, but not all hay rings are created
                                                                                                  equal. Choose the right size and type for your operation
      post-drought. “Make  sure  flatten and squat closer to the             continued on page 18  and consider investing in the most efficient type.
      your high-value hay gets
      in  the  mouth  of  an  animal,”
      says McCorkill.
         McCorkill was one of the                                    Missouri Beef Days
      speakers at the Christian
      County Livestock & Forage
      Conference at Clever, Mis-
      souri, on March 7.
         A hay barn to protect your
      investment is the best bet,
      McCorkill says. If you can’t                               may 6-13, 2023 • bolivar, mo
      put hay under a roof, pay
      strict attention to outside
      storage practices that expose
      bales to sunlight and precip-
      itation:
         •Run hay bales in rows
      in a north-south orientation
      on a sloped site that allows
      drainage.


             Callaway

             Livestock

            Center, Inc.                             AMANDA RADKE               RAY ARCHULETA               TEMPLE GRANDIN
                                                     SUN, MAY 7, 2023             MON, MAY 8, 2023            TUE, MAY 9, 2023
             On I-70, 4 miles east of
        Kingdom City, MO on outer road            Saturday • Missouri Beef Days Block Party      Wednesday • NextGen Economics Team

              573-642-7486                        MAY 6 • Junior Livestock Show                  MAY 10 • Beef & Whiskey Pairing
                                                           • Boots & Bling- dinner, auction, and   Thursday • Missouri Beef Days Rodeo - DAY 1
                                                              Polk County Cattleman of the Year  MAY 11 • Rodeo Market
              Feeder Sale
                                                                                                     Friday • Missouri Beef Days Rodeo - DAY 2
                                                   Sunday • Cowboy Church with Amanda Radke
                Monday                            MAY 7 • Beef Feed by Polk County Cattlemen     MAY 12 • Rodeo Market
               12:30 p.m.
                                                   Monday                                          Saturday • Missouri Beef Days Parade
                                                  MAY 8    • Ray Archuleta                       MAY 13 • Ag Expo • Concert

         1st Thursday Night                        Tuesday • Temple Grandin
            of Each Month                         MAY 9 • Beef & Wine Pairing                                                 Enjoy beef
                                                                                                                              at a local
                6:00 p.m.                                                                                                   restaurant!
          Special Cow Sale
                                                                                                                    Take the
                                                                                                                   western art      Shop
                                                                                                                    walk all    boutiques for
                                                                                                                 around town!  your western
             Jack Harrison                                                                                                       wear!
               573-386-2138
                                                                           MAY 6-13                2023
           John P. Harrison

               573-386-5150                                   For details and to purchase tickets, scan the QR code or go to  Bring the family!
                                                                                                                              See you there.
                                                                   MissouriBeefDays.com
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