Long-term evaluation of bale grazing as a winter-feeding system for beef cattle in central North Dakota
2022
Undi, Michael | Sedivec, Kevin K.
A 4-yr study was conducted to evaluate bale grazing as a winter-feeding system under central North Dakota winter conditions. Two winter-feeding systems, bale grazing (BG) paddocks or dry lot (DL) pen feeding, were compared over 4 winters using nonlactating pregnant Angus cows (2016/2017, n = 32, average BW = 590 ± 69 kg; 2017/2018, n = 40, 609 ± 61 kg; 2018/2019, n = 40, 635 ± 49 kg; 2019/2020, n = 40, 620 ± 31 kg). Cows in each winter-feeding system were offered the same hay. Cow performance was assessed from BW and BCS taken at the start and end of the study. Environmental conditions varied widely during the 4-yr study period. Dry matter intake averaged 11.9 kg/d and was not affected (P = 0.66) by winter-feeding system. Cows in both winter-feeding systems lost weight but ADG was greater (P = 0.02) in BG cows (−0.11 kg/d) relative to DL cows (−0.23 kg/d). Similarly, BCS loss was greater (P = 0.01) in DL cows (−0.21) relative to BG cows (−0.08). System costs were lower ($1.75/cow per day) following BG relative to DL pen feeding ($2.12/cow per day). Results of this study suggest that bale grazing is a viable system for winter-feeding beef cattle in North Dakota. Greater animal performance during bale grazing coupled with the lower cost of bale grazing could improve profitability of a beef cow-calf production operation.
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