When
pasture is sparse and poor quality: If only slightly
limited, the feeding of range cubes (minimum 20 percent crude
protein) or mixtures of grain and cottonseed or soybean meal at
rates of 3 to 5 pounds per cow daily may work for a while. Cubes
with a more natural protein and less crude fiber (less than 10
percent) are better.
When
pasture becomes extremely short, consider purchasing
hay or replacing feed for the pasture as well as selling stock.
Remember that most grass hay has only 50 - 65 percent of the energy
content of grain so that one pound of grain can replace 1.5 -
2.0 pounds of hay. A pound of grain will only replace 1.2 - 1.4
pounds of alfalfa hay. It doesn’t make sense to pay $105
per ton for poor quality grass hay when grain would cost very
little more. Grain-based supplements should be fed daily to reduce
the risk of acidosis. All cattle need some forage in the diet
to minimize digestive problems.
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