Feeding systems in the future
Dealing with high feed costs
By Dan Loy
Based on the title of this article you may have been expecting a piece about robots, sensors and smart technology to make feeding cattle easier. While advances in those technologies may play a role in the future, the immediate future requires dealing with a new economic reality and cost structure. Feed costs have never been higher than today. Costs will fluxgate in the future with growing conditions, supply and demand but it is very possible that we are entering a new era of higher relative feed costs.
Reducing feed costs in the feedlotAs feed costs increase and supplies of fed cattle are reduced, incentives to feed cattle to increasingly heavier weights are reduced. Depending on the market and incentives, consider marketing cattle earlier. This will improve feed conversion, especially if marketing the cattle on a live weight basis. Any decision or technology that improves feed conversion has more value with higher feed costs.
Be sure and fine tune your implant program, and if you are not using an ionophore or beta agonist you should consider it. For calf feeders, depending on forage and grain price relationships and feed availability, backgrounding is a consideration.
Feed costs can also be reduced by improving losses due to feed waste and storage. Investments in commodity sheds for example have much more value when feed costs are high. Taking the time to improve silage storage through proper harvest, packing and coverings can pay big dividends. Reducing feed waste at feeding can be improved with good feed bunk management.
Reducing feed costs in cow-calf operationsWe have a saying that a day grazed is a dollar saved. Today that may quite a bit more. For conventional cow calf herds, the amount of winter feed fed per cow often separates the high cost from low cost operations. Extending the grazing season by utilizing corn stalks grazing, cover crops or stockpiles can reduce the amount of hay fed over the winter.
When stored feed is fed there may be opportunity to reduce feed waste by feeding method. For example, rolling out feed each day or feeding a total mixed ration will reduce feed waste the most. If that is not feasible there are differences in feed waste according to the type of feeder used. Also, be sure to store hay in a way that minimizes exposure to moisture and the elements. This includes storing on a rock surface and covering. Be strategic in your feeding and supplementation. This includes testing feeds, sorting cattle by stage of production, age and condition score and feeding according to their needs.
Resources availableWorking closely with your nutritionist is increasingly important as feed costs increase. At the Iowa Beef Center, we have decision tools available including the Feed Energy Index, Beef Ration and Decision Support program.
Loy is director of the Iowa Beef Center and a professor at Iowa State University.