NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

October 29, 1998

[Editors: This is the third article in a series on fall and winter beef management.]

Straw Can Be Economical Cow Feed

Beef producers looking to make ends meet this winter may want to consider using straw to stretch feed supplies, says a North Dakota State University beef specialist. The key is proper management to make sure all nutritional needs are met.

Based on a highway survey of bales this fall, there appears to be an above-normal-supply of straw in the region this fall, says Greg Lardy of the NDSU Extension Service. "Producers are looking for ways to cut costs this winter and straw is an inexpensive source of roughage that can help them do that. But straw by itself is not going to get the job done," he says.

Typically producers add straw to a diet that contains some higher-quality forages, grain and other feeds. "In any diet containing straw, it's likely that producers are going to have to add supplements to boost the energy, protein, vitamins and minerals in the diet," he says.

Lardy also says now may be the best time to feed straw. "The nutrient needs of a cow increase through the third trimester of pregnancy and peak during lactation just after the calf is born," Lardy says. "So it makes sense to use lower-quality forages now and save better quality feeds until nutrient needs are greater." For most North Dakota producers, spring-calving cows will be entering their third trimester at about the first of the year.

Producers may also want to sort cows by nutrient needs. "Heifers, two-year-olds and thin cows have greater nutrient needs than older cows," he explained.

If producers feed straw along with better quality forages, they should make sure all cows receive equal access to all feed. "One option is to grind and mix it in the ration," Lardy says. "This ensures that all cows get the same ration and cows are able to do very little sorting through the feed." Another option is to feed good quality forages first, allowing all cows access, and then follow up with straw after cows have had a chance to eat. "If there's not enough bunk space, more aggressive cows will go for the good forage first and weaker cows will left to eat mainly straw," he explains.

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Source: Greg Lardy (701) 231-7660

Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629