Winter Hay...

[FarmLover]

I am raising my first calf for meat this year. I will be keeping him through the winter and I am wondering how much hay to plan on him eating this winter. Figure here in Minnesota temperature are average hi and lowOctober 50-30 ,November 40-20, December 30-0, January 10-minus 20, February 20-0. January and February can have minus 40 below on most years (8-10years). He is a holestein and is in really good shape. Born early May and is about 300 pounds at 3 months now. If anyone can suggest feeding and how much would be great. His primary food source will be grass hay....

 

[Mike Fronczak]

All I can tell you is we went through about a round bale every 10 days with three pregnant cows on it. Our caws are Highlands, we are located in upstate ny, near Lake Ontario

 

[WildRoseBeef]

He's going to loose weight like crazy and not going to fatten up at all on just or primarily grass-hay, as a Holstein and a young, growing calf, and that's even if the hay is as good quality as grass hay can get. As a Holstein and a 300 lb calf he'll need around 14% protein and even a bit of energy. You'll need to feed him grain quite a bit in addition to the hay.

Figure in 2.5% of his body weight in dry matter ration per day. That's how much a bovine of any weight will eat per day. In as-fed form, you need to factor in the moisture content of the hay. Assuming that the grass hay has around 20% moisture (or 80% dry matter), I can try to do the math for you then:

2.5% x 300 lbs = 7.5 lb per day
7.5 lb per day / 0.8 as-is dry matter content of hay = 9.4 lb per day

That's all assuming that the hay is high quality; cattle tend to eat more if the forage his higher quality than if they were to eat lower quality feed. You will also have to expect a 30% increase in intake in colder conditions, which could boost feed intake to around 31 lbs or more per day. If he were loosing weight and you were trying to get him to gain weight again, you may also see a boost in rate of intake. So, to avoid this, supplement the calf with grain to keep him in good shape and keep him from losing weight over winter.

Also, I wouldn't compare Mike's Highlands (very tough, easy-doing, easy-keeping (like they can do just fine on just hay over winter) beef cattle that require minimal management) to your Holstein (dairy, hard-doing, require higher-energy rations, and poor-ding as far as minimal management for a beef animal is concerned) because you'll be comparing apples to oranges.

 

[jhm47]

Just to add to WRB's post---the 2.5% figure is just for the maintenance of the animal. In order to grow and fatten, he would require more than 2.5% dry matter. And since the calf in question is a Holstein, he would require even more nutrition than a beef animal. Get him started on a high-density ration which contains plenty of protein and energy. You will spend a few more $$$ in the short term, but in the long run you will be rewarded with much better quality meat, and you will actually save money. Feed/hay is in short supply nationwide due to the drought, and feeder cattle prices have dropped a bit. Cattle herds are being liquidated due to the shortage of hay, but when it rains again (and it will), the pastures and feedlots will need to be restocked, which will drive cattle prices back up again.

 

[Mike Fronczak]

I should have added last summer when we had our Jersey and jersey/Holestein steers we went through alot of grain to get weight on them. Personally after having it both ways I wouldn't do it again, and that was just trying to grow out from June (or so) until October butching, wintering would be much hards. Just the opposite with the Highlands we got them last fall they stayed outside (by choice) all winter there is a run in area and stall areas we left both open they choose to stay outside, now summer they look for shade from back of barn, & run in. If you can find a beef breed, you will be further ahead from my experience, a little more upfront but less work, less overall cost, same (or better if you are looking for grass fed) results. Even if you strive for "grass fed" be aware grain does have a place, I learned that the hard way, trust your instincts too.

 

[Alice Acres]

We've fed out dairy steers...and as mentioned, you will be primarily maintaining over the winter.
Ours usually look thinner by spring, as they still grow a bit, but really don't gain any "beefiness".
PS - I'm in MN too.