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

November 25, 1998

Feed Waste is Dollar Waste in the Cattle Business

Even when feed is in good supply and relatively inexpensive, livestock producers wouldn't toss it to the wind, trample it underfoot, let the nutrients weather away or otherwise waste it.

Or would they?

"Research shows that up to 40 percent of feed is wasted in some feeding systems," says John Dhuyvetter, livestock specialist at North Dakota State University's North Central Research Extension Center near Minot.

"Cutting back on that waste is simply putting more dollars in your pocket," he says. The same studies that documented losses of one half or more of feed also showed that some feeding systems can limit losses to 2 or 3 percent. Dhuyvetter says losses of 15 to 20 percent in North Dakota are probably common.

"Feed waste isn't always apparent and it's usually more than you'd think," Dhuyvetter says. "It's an area where many producers can tighten up their management."

Feed waste depends on several key factors: the type and quality of feed, how often it's fed, the equipment used to feed, the weather and the surface of the ground where the feed is distributed.

In general, Dhuyvetter says cattle tend to waste less good quality feed. They concentrate on eating, eat their fill and leave the bunk or feed wagon. Cattle waste more poor quality feed by rummaging around looking for the best tidbits.

To limit waste in poor quality feed, feed cattle each day. Hungry cattle do a better job of cleaning up what's offered, Dhuyvetter explains. If enough feed is provided to last the cattle for several days, use good barriers and racks to minimize the amount of sorting and rummaging that cattle can do.

For course feeds, grind and mix them in a way that encourages cattle to eat all of the ration, he recommends.

Feeding on mud or snow allows cattle to trample feed and makes it difficult for them to clean up all that's offered. Bunks, wagons, concrete or solidly frozen ground allow cattle to clean up feed that's dumped or spilled there.

Assessing how much feed is wasted is difficult, Dhuyvetter admits. First, have a good idea of how much feed your cattle require and compare that to what's provided. Watch for excessive blowing or feed that's trampled into the mud or snow around feeding areas.

"For good quality forage, a 5 percent loss is a good goal," he says. "For poorer quality long-stemmed forage, up to 10 percent may be acceptable."

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Source: John Dhuyvetter (701) 857-7682

Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629