Winter Feeding a Cow for $200

Winter Feeding a Cow for $200 UW Extension State-wide Beef Cow-calf Days Medford By: Keith Vander Velde UW Extension Seven County Agriculture Specialization Livestock Specialist

Winter Feeding for $200 • Cow-calf Profitability is influenced by 4 factors • 1. Yearly cost of keeping a cow (Feed & Operation) • 2. Number of cows exposed at breeding that calf • 3. Weaning or yearling weight of calves • 4. Price received for calves and market ready cows

Winter Feeding for $200 • Feed costs are the biggest expense to cow-calf producer

Winter Feeding for $200 • Feed costs are the biggest expense a cow-calf producer has to wean a calf • In most studies of cow-calf operations feed cost range from 55% to 80% of total costs

Winter Feeding for $200 • Feed costs are the biggest expense a cow-calf producer has to wean a calf • In most studies of cow-calf operations feed cost range from 55% to 80% of total costs • Of total feed cost the biggest variation between operations was in winter feed charges-varies a $1 per day between high and low cost producers

Wintering a cow for $200 • Our “CHALLENGE” is to reduce feed charges without affecting cow body condition and future reproductive performance

Winter Feeding for $200 • In Wisconsin the period of time we often winter feed is December –April or 150 days.

Winter Feeding for $200 • In Wisconsin the period of time we often winter feed is December –April or 150 days. • During this period we have frozen ground and often have snow cover but if the feed is there cows will find it

Winter Feeding for $200 • Ask Yourself these questions: • Do I have adequate feed in storage for winter feeding? • Have I pre-purchased feed when prices were low? • Have I looked at energy and protein costs of various feeds and compared them for value? • Have I stockpile forage for winter Grazing?

Winter Feeding for $200 • Cost Per Cow-Calf Unit • Feed: Cost % of Total Fixed Overhead: Cost % Total Pasture $75 15% Mach/Bldg/Fence $16 3% Winter Feed $200 41% Livestock $39 8% Feed Total $275 56% Overhead Total $55 11% Operating Expense: Labor $80 17% Vet/supplies $45 9% Interest $16 3%Bull or AI $20 4% Total Operating $436 31% Total cost/Cow $491____________

Winter Feeding For $200 • Keep Cost for Winter Feeding at $200 • Make or Purchase hay for $80 per ton • Feed for 120 days • Store hay to reduce waste • Feed in ring feeders (lowest priced, less waste • Achieve to feed 30 lbs per day

Economic Considerations

Winter Feeding for $200 Fall & Winter Grazing to Reduce Feed Cost: 1. Corn Stalk Grazing a. Average 5000 lbs. of residue in irrigated corn fields b. Average 2500 lbs. of residue in dryland corn fields c. Primary difference is leaf loss

Winter Feeding For $200 Graze stockpiled Forage until Jan 1st: Alfalfa fields Rested cool season grass pasture Warm season grasses Wheat, rye, or barley planted in August Consider Standability of Forage

Wintering Cows for $200 • Standability for various forages • Tall Fescue-good Big Bluestem-good • Timothy-good Little Bluestem-poor • Orchard Indian Grass-good • Brome grass-poor Switchgrass-good but cows do not like it • Alfalfa-fair • Red clover-good

Wintering Cows for $200 • What about direct feeding • Must meet the cows energy and protein requirements • Can be done with hay, silage and various grains including byproducts • Need to make sure you have adequate bunk or feeder space

Winter Feeding for $200 • Consider Byproduct Feedstuffs • Dried Distillers Grain • Brewers Grains • Wheat Midds • Grain Screenings • Cannery Waste(Sweetcorn,carrots) • Potatoes

Wintering Cows for $200 • Take advantage of low commodity prices • Corn at $3.75/bushel is 7 cents per lb • Oats at $2.50/bushel is 8 cents per lb • Round bales at $30 each(assume 3/ton equals $90 per ton) are 5 cents per lb • Distillers Grain at $150 per ton is 7.5 cents per lb

Wintering a Cow for $200 • Maintenance needs of 1100 lb cow last 1/3 of pregnancy • 10.3 Mcals of energy • 1.6 lbs of crude protein

Wintering a Cow for $200 • Maintenance needs of 1100 lb cow last 1/3 of pregnancy • 10.3 Mcals of energy • 1.6 lbs of crude protein Maintenance needs of 1100 lb cow first 4 months after calving • 15 Mcals of energy • 2.6 lbs of crude protein

Wintering a cow for $100Feed Values of Common Feeds % DM Mcal/#m % Protein Alfalfa 90 .54 16 Brome 89 .54 11 Orchard 88 .58 11 Straw 91 .34 4 Oats 89 .8 12 Corn 88 1.02 9

Limit-feeding aCalculated with the following prices: corn=$3.80/bu; hay=$100/ton; DDGS=$130/ton; LFC supplement=$400/ton; DDGS supplement=$200/ton. Ohio State University, Radunz et al., 2008

Wintering Cows for $200 • Remember: • With extreme cold weather energy needs go up and it is important to increase the roughage portion of the ration • Thin cows needing improvement in body condition need additional energy for gaining weight

Wintering cows for $200 • The key to profit is: • keeping winter and grazing period cost low • having a 90% pregnancy rate • wean calves at 550 lbs or more • take advantage of market premiums • precondition calves • effectively market calves and cows-avoid the market low periods in the fall

Thanks for Attending from UW Livestock Team

Winter Feeding a Cow for $200