EVALUATION OF HAY WASTE BETWEEN VARIOUS FEEDING METHODS
Rhoades,* S.R.1; Gadberry, M.S.2; Simon, K.J.31County Extension Agent, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Waldron, AR, 72958
2Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Little Rock, AR, 72203
3Program Associate, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Little Rock, AR, 72203
Abstract:
The feeding of hay is a major expense to cow/calf production in Arkansas. Three on-farm demonstrations were conducted over a 2 yr period to examine the effect of feeding method on hay waste. At location 1, feeding hay unprotected (UNP) was compared to processed hay (SHRED) fed in tire feeders. In yr 1, both UNP and SHRED hay were fed within 3 herds. In yr 2, the 3 herds were grouped. At location 2, feeding hay in a ring (RING) was compared to unrolling (UNR). Hay was offered at approximately 29 lb dry matter per cow, daily. Bales were fed to prevent waste cross-contamination. Three bales for each feeding method were examined for waste. Waste was determined by measuring the land area covered by bale residue after feeding. After determining coverage, hay was removed from within a randomly tossed 2-ft square (avoiding areas of fecal contamination) to estimate dry matter waste. In yr 1 at location 1, waste was analyzed as a randomized complete block design. The herd block effect was not significant and was removed from the model; afterwards, yr 1 was combined with yr 2 and analyzed for treatment, year, and treatment x year effects. Treatment was the only significant source of variation in waste (P < 0.001). Waste for UNP and SHRED was 49.17, 0.03, 34.98, 0.14 ± 8.3% for yr 1 and 2, respectively. At location 2, UNR areas tended to have more waste (P = 0.07) than RING, 23.7 versus 13.0 ± 3.1%, respectively.