[Jacob-list] hay extender

[Neal and Louise Grose]

Corn silage is an excellent roughage and energy source if you can find a ready supply. It will supply plenty of roughage value and is about equivalent in energy to 2 parts hay and 1 part corn grain (68 to 72 mcal/pound and 8% protein, good alfalfa hay in our area runs 62 mcal/lb, inadequate for gestating ewes and growing lambs)...additional protein will be needed to be added to corn silage rations for late lactation and gestation. We have used it for our sheep for years because we have it for our dairy herd. 

You will need to be able to feed small quantities of a fresh supply three times a week in the winter (daily in warmer weather) because it will heat and grow mold more readily than hay. Hay silage will work as well, and should be slightly higher in quality than hay of the same stage of harvest because there will be more leaves retained. It is more palatable than hay because it has a somewhat sweet taste. (I have seen cows run across the lot to get to an sickenly sweet smelling bale of sudan and johnsongrass balelage.)

Neal Grose
North Carolina
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Meg Steensland 
  To: Linda ; Jacob-list ; jacob-sheep 
  Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2006 8:28 PM
  Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] hay extender


  Scarce hay - my usual guy just sold me his last lot of 30 some bales. Tomorrow  am going to an auction to see what they have.  There is always $3/ bale hay.  Silage if you can get it is another option - but you still need the roughage.

  There is a local guy with some crummy - rough hay as a last resort - then I will contact my lama friends to see what they are doing.  My brother wants to rent 30 acres next year and grow our own.

  Linda <patchworkfibers at alltel.net> wrote:
    It looks like hay is going to be terribly scarce this year.  What are thoughts on feeds to stretch out the hay supply?  I am currently using alfalfa pellets and whole corn, mixed half and half.  My ewes are in early gestation - from 1 to 2 months along.  I understand that energy is more important at this stage than protein.  I'll also be putting out the Blue Seal tubs as soon as the new dealer gets them the end of this week. 

    Any suggestions on hay extenders and/or substitutes?

    Linda
     
    www.patchworkfibers.com
    Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn
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