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Hay is going to be more valuable than ever this year in light of the drought. For this reason, it is critical to maximize usable hay. Round bales are a popular means to harvest hay in many parts of the country. Proper round bale storage can make or break you. If your current storage method is allowing several inches of bale to rot, you might be surprised at how much hay is being wasted. The outer 4 to 6 inches, where most losses occur, make up a large percentage of the bale as shown in Table 1.

Amount of loss depends on several factors including storage method, length of storage, rainfall, bale density and size. Changing the method of storage is the most practical way to decrease hay loss. Table 2 gives average losses for different storage methods.

Hay tarps are an attractive option for many producers because of low initial cost. They are especially popular for hay storage on rented land. Tarps come in many different sizes. Bales size and stacking method will determine tarp size needed and how many bales will fit under one tarp. Hay tarp prices range from $150 to $300 and tend to last from 1 to 5 years. Even if resources do not permit the use of a tarp, several changes can still be made to reduce storage losses outside. 

• Select a well drained area
  

• Get bales off the ground by using rock, poles, tires or pallets

• Do not store under trees
  

• Tightly place bales end to end in a north­-south row
  

• Leave at least 3 ft between rows

• Use individual bale wraps or bonnets

In summary, proper hay storage will reduce overall losses and reduce feeding costs. Make necessary storage changes now to maximize the amount of hay available later. CRYSTALYX^® offers a complete line of economical protein and mineral/vitamin supplements ideal for augmenting stored hay for all types of livestock. For more information about these products and how they can fit into your current management system, contact your local CRYSTALYX^® representative or visit www.crystalyx.com.

Adapted from Univ. of Tennessee publication P&SS Info#300

It is hard to pick up a livestock magazine today without reading about the impact of drought in much of the US.  Grain markets have been responding daily with large increases and cattle markets have soften considerably given the current conditions.   As producers evaluate the amount of forage they have in their pastures and that which will help them make it through the winter, the desire to put up hay or ensile any fiber source they can find, can lead to forages with hidden dangers.  Nitrate poisoning is one that can affect annual crops that may be cut for hay or put into silage given the harsh growing conditions that many are facing.  Below are some general guidelines when dealing with the potential for Nitrate poisoning:

1. Common forages susceptible to Nitrate accumulation include but are not limited to:  corn, barley, oats, millet, rye, sudan grass, sweet clover, soybean, wheat
2. Plant growth closest to the ground have the highest levels of Nitrates
3. Raise the cutter bar above 6 inches to avoid highest accumulations of Nitrates
4. Younger plants have highest levels of Nitrates compared to more mature plants
5. Nitrates accumulate in plants when normal growing conditions are interrupted such as during a drought, frost or periods of cool weather
6. Nitrates are converted to Nitrites and finally to Ammonia which is the normal pathway in Nitrogen metabolism in plants.  Excessive levels of Nitrates can lead to an accumulation of Nitrites in the rumen which is the most toxic form and can lead to toxicity
7. Nitrite is absorbed into red blood cells and interferes with the Oxygen carrying capacity of Hemoglobin which leads to suffocation in livestock  
8. Dilute forages known to contain high levels of Nitrate with forages that are low in Nitrates
9. If high Nitrate forages must be fed, gradually increase the amount fed in the diet so that cattle will adapt to the increased Nitrate levels.
10. Try to avoid over grazing of forages that are high in Nitrates so livestock will not be forced to graze lower plant parts that contain increased Nitrate levels
11. Fill cattle up on low Nitrate forages prior to introduction onto high Nitrate pastures to limit their exposure to large amounts of high Nitrate forages
12. Limit the time that cattle are grazing or are exposed to high Nitrate pastures when first introduced to these pastures
13. Ensiling forages can help reduce the Nitrate levels of forages through the fermentation process
14. Cattle that are in thin condition or that are in poor health are more susceptible to Nitrate toxicity
15. Don’t graze cattle after a killing frost for at least one week if possible with forages high in Nitrates
16. Observe cattle frequently when introducing them to forages high in Nitrates

There are numerous Extension bulletins available on guidelines for grazing forages with high Nitrates for the various regions of the country.  I have listed a few common guidelines that you should consider to help avoid or significantly reduce cattle losses from Nitrate poisoning.  Drought conditions followed by some light rains can interrupt the normal Nitrogen metabolism of plants and result in forages that contain high Nitrate levels leading to toxicity. 

Ruminant animals can deal with many feedstuffs resulting from the drought such as corn or small grains that fall short in crop production.  These do not come without potential health hazards.  Make sure you have your forages tested prior to feeding or pasture turn-out if you have any indications that Nitrate toxicity may be an issue.  The value of cattle is too great to turn a blind eye.

I worked this week in parts of Indiana and Ohio that are in some of the most extreme drought conditions I have seen. The Drought Monitor shows that over half the country is in drought. I observed corn that varied from knee high to shoulder high. All the plants were stressed with curled leaves and many had the bottom leaves fired. Greater than half the plants in the hardest hit areas had no ear or limited kernel development.

Pasture conditions in many areas are very poor and there is a real concern for having enough hay. An option for forage is salvaging the corn as silage or hay. The nutrient value of drought stressed corn silage will be 60-70% of normal corn silage with the biggest difference being that it is much lower in starch. However, the NDF digestibility often will be higher. As we consider our forage needs for the beef herd, there is the potential to harvest several tons per acre of silage or hay. A general rule of thumb is each foot of plant material equals 1 ton of forage per acre. For example, 5 foot tall plants will yield 5 ton/acre. Several items unique to drought stressed corn need to be evaluated.

Nitrate Level

High nitrate levels can be toxic to cattle. Moderate levels can reduce pregnancy rates and high levels can be deadly. Nitrate will reduce the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood by attaching to the red blood cells.

Plants under stress will stop taking up nitrogen and stop producing protein. Unused nitrogen will accumulate in the lower parts of that plant as nitrates. With severe and prolonged drought there is less risk of nitrate accumulation in the plant. If there is a rain event, the harvest should be delayed at least 5-7 days. Nitrates tend to accumulate in the bottom third of the plant, so it is recommended to cut at least 12 inches height. It is not advisable to graze or green chop drought stressed corn. Fermentation of silage will reduce the nitrate level by 50-60%. If corn is harvested as hay, there will be NO reduction in the nitrate levels, therefore, standing corn needs to be tested for nitrate before the decision to harvest as hay. Silage offers the advantage of reducing the nitrate levels through fermentation. However, silage is not easy to transport long distances, which make corn hay an attractive option.

Sampling Prior to making hay; 12-15 whole plants should be cut at the harvest height, chopped into 1 inch pieces and mixed. A 0.5 lbs. sample (large freezer bag) should be sent to a commercial forage testing lab for nitrate analysis.

Silage should be allowed to ferment for at least 3 weeks prior to feeding. At that time, a 0.5 lb. sample should be sent to a commercial forage testing lab for nitrate analysis.

Based on the nitrate level in the hay or silage, it may be necessary to dilute the diet with non-nitrate containing feeds to get to a safe level. Work with a nutritionist to determine the best feeding recommendations. Below is a general guideline on nitrate levels.

Nitrate Feeding Guidelines

Source:  Sniffen and Chase 1981, Nitrates in Dairy Rations, Dept. of Animals Science, Cornell University

Suggestions for making corn hay.

1. Know the nitrate level before making hay.
2. Cut the corn with a mower conditioner to speed up the drying process.
3. Consider using a stalk chopper to process the stalks and speed up the drying process.
4. If a rake is used, avoid raking too close to the ground as you want to avoid pulling up roots and the lower portion of the stalk where nitrate may be higher.
5. Use a hay preservative such as BulletProof™ to prevent heating and dry matter loss.  More information can be found at www.bulletproofyourforage.com.

Suggestions for making corn silage.

1. Know the moisture level for proper fermentation.  Ideal moisture level for corn silage is 60-65%.  It is nearly impossible to determine moisture level by visual means as most of the moisture is in the stalk.  Work with a nutritionist to do a dry matter test prior to chopping silage.
2. Cut at 12 inches to reduce the chance of high nitrate levels.
3. Avoid harvesting weed infested areas, as many common weeds will be high in nitrates.
4. Spread the silage in thin layers and pack the silage well.  There will be considerable moisture variation within a field which will make achieving an even pack density difficult.  Poorly packed silage will have more trapped oxygen which will inhibit fermentation.
5. Use a forage preservative such as BulletProof™ to help eliminate trapped oxygen, prevent dry matter loss and speed up fermentation.
6. Allow silage to ferment at least 3 weeks prior to feeding.

The drought of 2012 will be a challenge for many livestock producers.  Salvaging the corn crop as a forage replacement will be a viable option.  Nitrate levels need to be considered, but can be managed.  Corn silage or hay from drought stressed corn can provide some needed tons, and be a good quality feed for the cow herd. 

Nutritionists, along with producers, are always on the lookout for the next big thing to really improve livestock performance. In the case of nutritionists, we’re looking for products that pack a bigger nutritional punch per pound. Organic trace minerals are one of those advances that do bring a little more to the table. But what is an organic trace mineral?

Organic trace mineral refers to a mineral that is bound to a carbon-base molecule; think back to chemistry class, organic versus inorganic. Trace minerals by themselves are inorganic by definition. Binding them to a carbon-based molecule makes them organic. This classification has nothing to do with the USDA definition of organic.

Organic trace minerals have been available since the 1970’s. There are a handful of companies who make and market organic trace minerals. The difference between them is to what the trace mineral is bound. The trace mineral could be bound to an amino acid complex, a protein, a large sugar or a specific amino acid (all carbon-based molecules). There is some debate as to which type of bound trace mineral is the most bioavailable (readily absorbed), but that’s a topic for another time.

Why feed an organic trace mineral? Availability.  If we consider traditional trace mineral sources, such as copper sulfate or zinc sulfate, to be 100% available to the animal, then an organic trace mineral is 105%+ available. The fact that the organic trace mineral is bound to a carbon-based molecule makes all the difference. Think of it in terms of tickets to a game. If you buy your ticket ahead of time, you can walk right up to the gate and move through. The gut, like the ticket taker, is picky about what it lets pass through, having a trace mineral bound to something like an amino acid, sugar, etc. allows the trace mineral to move right through.

The flip side of this is having to buy your ticket at the game. You will still get in, but you’ll just have to wait in a few lines first. Sulfate and oxide trace mineral sources cannot move across the gut wall as they are. They have to have a carrier (ticket) to escort them through. There are lots of places for them to bind to a carrier, however, trace minerals often share the same carrier and so there is more waiting.

The advantage of including organic trace minerals is most often seen in stressed calves and breeding cattle (cows and bulls). When cattle are stressed, regardless of the cause or when high production demands are needed, adequate trace mineral nutrition is vital. Copper and zinc are essential for immune response, as illness is often followed by stress. In breeding cattle, copper and zinc are essential for reproductive performance and are also important for hoof health.

CRYSTALYX® offers 18 products with organic trace minerals for dairy cattle, beef cattle, horses, sheep and goats. Whether you choose a mineral or protein block, your livestock will benefit from the proven reliable intake and palatability that CRYSTALYX® is known for with the added nutritional benefit of organic trace minerals. For more information on any CRYSTALYX® product, see the search options above or contact your CRYSTALYX® representative.

USDA’s Weekly Crop Condition Report includes pasture conditions for each state.  Pasture conditions are currently as poor for this time of year as seen in the last 16 years.  The data for the whole US and selected states in cattle country are listed below.  Some of the drier and warmer months of the grazing season are still to come and expectations are that pasture conditions will continue to decline. 

USDA Pasture Condition Report, June 17, 2012

Several management factors related to stocking rate need to be considered to address the declining pasture conditions, such as cow body condition, creep feeding and supplementation strategy.  With some modifications we can extend days to graze and delay the need to begin hay feeding.

Cow Body Condition

We hope to have cows in a body condition score of 6 or greater going into the late fall and winter feeding season.  It is much more economical to add condition now as compared to later in the winter.  The CRYSTALYX® Body Condition Score App is a great tool that creates a pictorial record of individual cow’s body condition. The app is available for both the iPhone and Droid operating systems.  We would expect cows to be adding condition after peak milk production.  Use the Body Condition App to create a record today that can be evaluated again in 30 days.  If cows have not added condition or worse yet, lost body condition, we need to make some adjustments.  

To find out more information in regards to the CRYSTALYX® Body Condition Score app please click the link below.

http://www.crystalyx.com/news/

Creep Feeding

Creep feed has increased in cost compared to historical prices, but the economic return in added calf weight has never been greater.  Pasture carrying capacity and cow body condition can be improved by utilizing a creep program.  These factors in addition to added calf weight make the economics of creep extremely positive.  Calves on creep will rely less on pasture and mother’s milk.  This takes the nutrient demand off the cow for milk production and can provide more pasture to meet her needs for body condition.

Stocking Rate and Early Weaning

Matching stocking rate of a pasture to the forage production is a key management tool.  This year may be a time when we evaluate this relationship more often.  Moving some cows to other pasture, crop residue or grazing non-traditional forage will help extend the grazing season.  In some areas with the worst pasture condition, we may need to consider early weaning or herd reduction.

Matching Supplement Strategy with Pasture Condition

We have not been able to say the weather has been normal for several years.  That was the case last year in western Minnesota.  Normally July is a very dry month, but some timely rains helped maintain pasture productivity.  However, August turned hot and dry which caused pasture quality to drop rapidly.  As forages mature the protein content declines, fiber content increases and energy content decreases.  Experience and research have shown a positive response to protein supplementation of low quality forage.  Working with a producer in the Holland MN area, we were able to take pasture samples and determine when to change from a mineral type supplement such as Mineral-Lyx ™ to a protein type supplement such as BGF-30™.  This change improved the forage digestibility of the maturing grass.  Cows continued to improve body condition and the producer was able to continue grazing this pasture through the season.

Pastures that are rated as Good to Excellent are the lowest for this time of year as anytime in recent history.  There are several things that can be done to ensure a profitable calf crop this year and getting cows back in proper body condition for a successful calving and breeding season next year.  Monitoring pasture condition, creep feeding, adjusting stocking rate and supplement strategy are items that need to be evaluated often as the summer progresses.