by Kable Thurlow, Michigan State University

Feeding accounts for the largest expense on cow-calf farms. According to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, when you include both grazing and mechanically harvested feeds, the costs can range from 40% to 70% of the annual costs of keeping a cow.

Michigan cattlemen typically feed cows in a drylot or a barnyard during winter. This method has worked for many years, but it is not without its costs. To use the nutrients left behind after the feed has been consumed, one must scrape and haul the manure to the field before nutrients can be used to grow more forages. While this is effective, it can be costly.

If the traditional winter-feeding lot is not on concrete, there is a potential for leaching of valuable nutrients.

If the traditional winter-feeding area is not on concrete, there is potential for leaching of valuable nutrients. Once these nutrients have leached into the soil or are lost in the form of runoff, they are no longer available for the next season’s plant growth. This increases expenses due to the possibility of needing to purchase additional fertilizer for the next growing season.

Farmers also need to account for the cost of equipment and time needed to haul manure to the field, including a manure spreader, a tractor to haul it and a loader to load the manure. Winter-feeding methods that involve feeding out on pastures, such as bale-feeding or unrolling, can be done in the pastures without many of the equipment and time costs listed above.

When looking for a winter-feeding site, choose areas that have lower fertility and tend to be less productive. Avoid areas that tend to be wetter and areas near surface water. To avoid a nutrient sinkhole, move these sites each year so the same location only receives bale-grazing or unrolling every few years. A soil test will tell you where nutrients are needed.

The winter-feeding conundrum was the genesis behind pasture walks that took place near Harrisville and Swartz Creek, Mich. In February, attendees learned how Byelich Farm of Harrisville utilizes bale-grazing and bale-unrolling. These methods combine winter-feeding, grazing and nutrient distribution.

In March, St. Anastasia Farm of Swartz Creek hosted a second pasture walk where attendees learned about strip-grazing bales set out at one time, then sectioned off for grazing using polywire and step-in posts. Ben Oliver of St. Anastasia Farm showcased the grazing plan and livestock flow charts he has used since attending the Ranching for Profit Course last January. The charts are large [3 feet (ft.) by 5 ft.] and are meant to be hung on a wall so all decision-makers and farm workers can see what is planned and then record the actual moves. These charts can be used to help plan for winter-grazing sites.

MSU Extension pasture programs, like the pasture walks, are designed to showcase the different grazing and winter-feeding methods taught at the Beginner Grazing Schools. The goal is to teach new methods of grazing and bring awareness to practices designed to increase soil health and improve ecosystem function.

Kable Thurlow, MSU Extension educator, encourages farmers to continue to learn best practices for bale-grazing and bale-unrolling to utilize these winter methods of feeding to distribute nutrients from manure, urine and leftover hay where they will be most beneficial to the forage and the farmer.

Editor’s note: Kable Thurlow is a field-based educator for Michigan State University Extension , which provided this article. For more information visit  https://extension.msu.edu or contact your local extension office.

Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 16, No. 8-B