How can waste be reduced when feeding roughage to cow- calf herds?

Answer 1

There are many different things that you can do to reduce feed waste when feeding cattle. Wait until they've cleaned up as much as they can without trying to eat their own feces in the process, and then feed more hay is one method. Daily feeding often helps reduce wastage, since you will be giving your animals only enough that they will clean up in a day, and thus force them to eat as much as they can before the next feeding.

Even the types of feeders made available will help reduce wastage. Those feeders that have sloped entry bars that slope away from the centre of the bale feeder reduce hay being pulled away from the feeder when the cow pulls her head out. A solid lower section also prevents hay from being pulled out from below.

Reduce competition between animals by putting feed out in more places so that those animals that are lower in the pecking order have a greater chance of eating the same stuff that the more dominant herd-leaders get first.

Avoid feeding near resting sites, and select areas that are more exposed to the elements and limits the amount of time cows spend loitering in that area.

Check out the related links below on methods of reducing and feeding wastage to cows.