Considerations for Feeding the Cowherd this Fall and Winter

Nebraska Extension to host October 8 webinar on feeding options for the cowherd.

Nebraska Extension will host a webinar titled Considerations for Feeding the Cowherd this Fall and Winter on October 8 at 6:30 p.m. Mountain time.

Drought continues to grip the High Plains region. Prices for forage and grain have increased drastically from a year ago and supplies are limited. This is challenging producers to contemplate feed options that they likely haven’t utilized before. This webinar will explore different feed options that producers could consider in light of the current hay and commodity prices.   

Karla Wilke, Nebraska Extension cow-calf systems specialist, will show several examples of feeding options that could meet a cow’s nutrient needs with the feed resources that are available. The logistics and infrastructure needed to utilize these feeds will be discussed as well. “What may make sense for one producer won’t work for someone else. Each producer needs to consider their own situation, what they have available and what they are able to do” said Wilke.

Wilke said feeding concentrates like corn, soy hulls or distillers grains with limited roughages, maybe one of the more economical options in light of current hay prices. “We can use low-quality forages or residues in diets, but we will have to also add a source of energy and protein to meet the needs of the cow or cow-calf pair appropriately,” she said.  

The webinar will provide practical information producers can use as they evaluate the feed options they have available to them. Wilke will highlight lessons learned from university research and from producers who have utilized various feed resources in the past when forage was in short supply.

Topics will include:

· Ration examples and feed cost estimates based on current commodity prices

· Limit feeding versus full feeding

· Use of crop residues and other roughages besides traditional hay sources

· Vitamin and mineral considerations for pregnant cows and calves that will be born

· Understanding different protein sources and how they can be utilized

· How an ionophore can be used to increase efficiency with limited feed.

A computer and internet connection are required to participate in the webinar

The webinar is free, but registration is required.

Accommodation requests for registration or attendance may be directed to Aaron Berger at least 10 business days prior to the program at aberger2@unl.edu or 308-235-3122. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based upon any protected status. https://nebraska.edu/nondiscrimination