Southwest Missouri cattle producers recently gathered in Anderson, Missouri to learn about the importance of forage testing and the nutritional needs of cattle at the recent McDonald County Beef Meeting.

The meeting began with John Hobbs, University of Missouri southwest region Extension agriculture and rural development specialist, reminding producers hay is the most abundant and economical source of stored feed for cattle.

Hobbs provided hay tips for producers to keep in mind for the upcoming hay crop which included; harvesting by recommended growth of plant, fertilizing to increase growth yield, soil testing, controlling weeds, using conditioners to allow for faster drying and controlling moisture levels when hay is put up. He also reminded producers quality of hay is determined when it is put up and quality decreases as plants mature.

According to Hobbs, producers need to look at their hay fields differently than pasture since hay fields need more nutrients.

Next, he explained what producers need to look for when buying or examining their own hay.

“Alfalfa is the best hay source, if you can afford it,” Hobbs said. “However, a producer has to look at the economics as well as the quality of hay. Sometimes low quality alfalfa tests betters than grass-hay.”

According to him, producers need to look at the number of seed heads in each bale, the color of the hay, if mold is present and the feel of the hay.

“Remember, the more leafy the hay the easier the hay is to digest for the animal,” he said.

When thinking about the upcoming hay season, Hobbs provided suggestions about when the optimum time to cut hay.

Tall fescue and warm season grass should be cut during the boot stage, which is when the seed head starts to emerge. Red clover needs to be cut during 1/4 to 1/2 bloom, orchard grass should be cut when full bloom emerges and alfalfa should be cut when 1/10 bloom is present.

“Producers will have higher quality fescue if it is cut before May 25, since the crude protein will decrease daily after May 25,” he said.

Hobbs concluded with the importance of hay testing.

“Hay testing is well worth the money when buying and growing hay since the producer will be able to know how to feed his cattle and how to supplement the cattle,” he said.

Dona Goede, University of Missouri southwest area livestock specialist, admitted to producers, “you know when feed is too cheap when producers won’t test their hay.”

Goede provided producers with a different way to manage purchased feed cost and how to properly care for the animal.

“Remember energy is needed to gain weight not protein, energy equals calories,” she said.

According to Goede, a producer can cut costs if he or she will always remember two things, one, what she (cow) needs and what she (cow) gets.

She explained, a producer needs to know the nutrient requirements of the cattle first before he or she can supplement.

“When producers are looking at supplement options, the producer’s time is worth something, it is worth it to get hay tested and know how to supplement accordingly,” she explained.

Goede suggested producers should feed better quality hay last since the cow requires more nutrients later when she is lactating.

“In southwest Missouri there is a lot of fescue hay grown but producers need to know how to manage it to get the most out of the hay for the animals,” she said.

“When deciding on what type of supplement to use the producer needs to figure out the protein cost per pound,” she explained.

Goede suggested producers need to look at what by-products are available in their area.

“Corn is not always the cheapest option for producers to use to supplement their cattle,” she said. “Soy-hulls are high in fiber and a really good source of energy if the producer can get their hands on it. However, soy-hulls are dusty, but the cattle will get use to it and figure out how to process them.”

She also recommended producers look at ethanol by-products.

“Producers need to remember to have every load of ethanol by-products tested since they can have a high sulfur content and can mold quickly in the hot weather,” Goede said.

Goede also discussed methods of feeding.

“Bunks can be expensive and cattle are hard on them. If feeding in bunks cattle need two to three feet per cow per bunk,” she said.

Goede concluded the evening with reminding producers to know what nutrients the cow is getting and how to properly supplement her for maximum return.