How much hay a day does an angus cow with calf require in adelaide hills region during summer months? The cows are breeding cows and approx 40-450kg. The calves are a couple of months old. There is a bit of supplementary feed in the paddocks.
2007-12-16 23:18:27 · 7 answers · asked by Kajja 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Agriculture
The cow and calf would need 25 to 30 pounds of hay per day if it is good quality hay (around 11 to 14 kg/cow). This needs to be adjusted with the amount of supplementary fed available to them. Watch their condition, if the cows are getting fat, you are probably feeding them too much. If their condition is falling off more than expected, feed them more. On good pasture with plenty of rain they may not any hay at all.
2007-12-17 02:34:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For a cow and calf, I figure 2.8% of their body weight in dry matter forage. A dry cow, 2.5%, one in the early part of lactation or growing calves, 3% For example, a 450kg cow would need 12.6 kg of dry matter and figuring hay at an average 15% moisture, she'll need14.5 kg of hay.
This is a general rule, with very high quality hay she won't need nearly as much, with very poor hay, she may not be able to eat enought to fufill her nutritional needs. Figure a dry cow at 8% protein & 50-55% TDN, lactating cow 11-12% protein & 60% TDN, cow calf at 10-11% protein & 55% TDN. If your hay is low in protein, feeding supplemental protein will help them digest the hay better. With decent hay or pasture, they shouldn't need any supplement or concentrates. You say summer? With decent forage they shouldn't need any hay or grain. Salt only.
2007-12-17 08:02:43 · answer #2 · answered by bikinkawboy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have a nutritionist at our local elevator that we consault all this with, you should try that. We have 40 head of cow/calf pairs, but lucky me I get to pich the hay, so I am not sure how many pounds. Good luck!
2007-12-17 09:26:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are simply feeding grass hay (not alfalfa) it is impossible for "over feeding" to occur due to the sheer bulk of the dry matter. BUT, if you are feeding any sort of sudan variety that wasn't harvested properly, you could have a case of Nitrate Poisioning on your hands. Additionally, since that cattle are not able to be out grazing, it would be best to feed a free choice protien and trace mineral supplement.
2016-05-24 08:00:49 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a good rule of thumb is 30 to 50 lbs daily. this depends on the nutritional value of the hay.
2007-12-18 06:55:53 · answer #5 · answered by Loren S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
15 to 20 kg will be lots if its good quality hay.
2007-12-17 01:57:22 · answer #6 · answered by willywonker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
20-25 kg of quality hay should be enough. If they don't eat it all decrease a little and if they eat it too soon, increase a little.
2007-12-17 00:46:31 · answer #7 · answered by Neandrathal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋