How many bales of hay does a cow eat?

Calculate Number of Bales Needed Determine the number of bales of hay that each cow needs by dividing the cow’s yearly need by the adjusted weight of each bale. For a cow needing 8,190 pounds of hay per year and a bale weight of 960 pounds, divide 8,190 by 960 for a yearly need of about 8.5 bales per cow.

How much hay does a cow waste?

In a recent Hay and Forage Minutes, Anderson explains that cattle will waste as much as 45% of the hay they’re fed when they receive it without restriction. “Research shows that cattle fed hay free access every four days needed about 25% more hay than cattle fed daily,” Anderson says.

How much hay does one cow eat per year?

The dry cow will consume 26.4 pounds/day of average quality grass hay on a 100% dry matter basis. However, the hay is actually 90% dry matter which means that the cow will consume 29.3 pounds on an “as-fed” basis.

Can cows overeat hay?

Cattle waste less hay when the amount fed is limited to what is needed each day. Twenty-five percent more hay is needed when a four-day supply is fed with free access. Cows will over consume, if hay is fed free choice.

Is making hay profitable?

“If you are getting $125 per ton for quality hay, you are going to see a profit of $51 per ton, or $204 per acre. “The potential is there to make some pretty good money on hay.” Brown says producers could decide to grow higher-quality hay and sell into the dairy or specialty hay markets.

Can cows eat only hay?

Hay is the staple forage in most cattle operations. Hay is forage (grass and alfalfa) that has been cut, dried, and made into bales. It would be similar to us eating dried fruit, for example.

Can cows eat out of hay nets?

Since cattle don’t have top teeth, they use their tongue to grab for forage. A 3” hole, almost twice the size of the slow-feeding net, makes it easy for them. Forage with thick stems, like alfalfa or straw, can be tough to eat through small holes. Bigger holes make it less likely for stock to chew through the net.

How many kg of grass does a cow eat?

When green grass is plenty
Category Concentrate mixture (Kg) Green Grass (kg)
Dry cows 25 – 30
Milking 1 kg for every 2.5 – 3.0 kg of milk 30
Pregnant Production Allowance + 1 to 1.5 kg from 6th month of pregnancy 25 – 30

Do cows eat hay or grass?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DgLaI2br9E