Cows trample and foul hay fed on ground in wide windrow.

Would farmers really think about throwing away every 25-30% of hay at the time of harvest – probably not but that’s what often happens at feed out time.

Feeding out losses are due to leaf shatter, chemical and physical deterioration, over consumption and straight out refusals.

The losses are dry matter (DM) and quality (metabolisable energy and protein). Some feeding out losses are unavoidable but can be substantially reduced by changes to the system or management techniques used.

Limit access to hay

When cattle have unlimited access to hay they trample and foul (with poop, piddle and mud) the excess and then use it for bedding.

There is a fine line between offering too much versus not enough. How much the animals will need varies greatly according to their body condition, whether in calf or empty, the amount and quality of other feed on offer, and the quality of hay on offer. Table 1 shows the waste of hay fed on the ground compared with using a ring feeder or rack.

Don’t overfeed

Less hay is wasted when the quantity offered is limited to dietary needs, although farmers need to be conscious of “shy” feeders.

Up to 25% more hay is needed when fed with unlimited supply than when fed a one day supply only. A dry pregnant cow will eat 20% to 30% more hay than it needs if allowed ad lib feeding. This may be beneficial to increase body condition, but should occur before the last month of pregnancy.

Feed daily

Daily feeding is more efficient than bulk feeding for several days, especially when hay is fed ad-lib. However, this must be offset against the cost of feeding (transport and labour). Table 2 shows the effect of feeding hay daily versus when fed every two or four days on wastage.

Feeding only one day’s supply of hay will encourage them to eat hay that they might otherwise refuse, foul, trample and waste. Bulk feeding of hay over several days will result in high wastage.

If feeding out with bale buggy type machines try feeding out under an electric fence, or along permanent fence lines to minimise trampling.

If using a machine that leaves a windrow the full width of the bale, such as a Roll King, consider rolling out 2-3 metres of hay, stop feeding out for a few metres and drop another 2–3m of hay after leaving a sizeable gap.

If possible, losses can be greatly minimised when feeding out on the ground in a paddock by having the hay already spread before the animals enter the paddock.

If spreading while they are in the paddock, most tend to follow the tractor all the way until finished, trampling and fouling along the way.

Losses due to trampling and fouling are reduced substantially by the greatest degree at the feeding out stage by feeding to requirements and by using any means available to limit the amount of hay accessible to cattle.

*Frank Mickan is pasture and fodder conservation specialist, Department of Primary Industries, Ellinbank, Victoria.