As cooler weather sets in, summer pastures will be going dormant. Producers have 2 options: to have ryegrass pastures ready for winter grazing, or to depend on their hay stores as the primary source of nutrition until pastures green back up in the spring. Producers need to make sure that they have enough hay for their herd, their hay is of good quality, and are prepared to supplement appropriately.
Having enough hay for the winter is the first concern that cattle producers face. The hay needed can change from year to year depending on weather conditions in the summer and winter, as well as changes in the herd. In years with severe drought like 2023, mid and late summer hay cuttings were extremely poor, so many producers had to purchase hay to get through the winter. Late summer droughts, like the one we are in right now, delay the growth of winter forage such as ryegrass, possibly leading to unexpected hay needs.
To be sure there is enough hay, some general knowledge of the herd is needed: number of head to be fed, the expected intake per animal (2 – 2.5% of body weight per day for mature dry cattle), and expected number of days that hay will be fed. An important variable to keep in mind is that if the cattle are bred or lactating, their nutritional requirements will be higher. Producers also have to account for hay losses due to feeding and storage.