Frequently Asked Questions
What intake percentage should I use?
About 2% of body weight for mature idle animals on good hay, 2.5-3% for growing, lactating, or cold-stressed stock. Cold temperatures increase maintenance requirements - add about 1% of body weight per 10 degrees below the lower critical temperature (around 20 degrees F for a dry cow with a winter coat).
How do I cut waste?
Use a hay ring or cone feeder for round bales, feed only what is cleaned up in a day, and keep hay off wet ground. This single change can cut waste from 30-40% down to under 10%. Proper storage (on gravel or pallets, away from soil contact) can save another 15-20% on outer-layer spoilage.
Should I weigh my bales?
Yes if you can. Bale weight is the biggest source of error in this calculation, and a bathroom-scale spot check or a bale scale beats a guess. Round bales vary from 600 to over 1,500 lb depending on size, moisture, and hay type. Small squares also vary - 40 to 70 lb is common.
Why plan for extra feeding days?
Winters run long and pastures green up late. Adding two to three weeks of feeding days is cheap insurance against a frantic, overpriced hay hunt in March. A common rule of thumb is to plan for 30-45 days more than the expected last frost date for your area.
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