Pasture and hay supplies are in short supply in many areas of central and southern Missouri according to University of Missouri Extension Field Specialist in Livestock for Pettis County, Gene Schmitz. Livestock producers should consider a number of options before feeding their livestock this winter.

The simplest most cost-effective practice that can be done is to test hay. Producers should sort hay into quality groups and match the hay to nutritional need of each livestock group.

Poor feeding practices can result in hay wastage of more than 25 percent. Cone-type hay feeders or tapered-bottom greatly reduce waste. If unrolling, limit the hay being unrolled at a given time.
Another source of hay waste is how hay is stored. If covering is not a possibility, producers should take measures to break soil to hay contact as much as possible.

Producers fortunate enough to have pasture or crop residues can divide fields into smaller areas.
Limit feeding options by limiting cow access to hay feeders can reduce waste while achieving acceptable performance. Cows can also be feed a high grain diet ration. This meets energy need with less feed.

Producers should be knowledgeable of what bales weigh.
Schmitz stated, ”It may be more beneficial for the operation to cull animals rather than to try to purchases enough feed for winter. This is not a one-size fits all option, so figure your operational costs and evaluate tax and other financial implications before making final decisions.”