In a graduate-level nutrition class, I had an exchange with a professor that I still remember. The professor was a swine nutritionist. The professor asked me, “Why would a ruminant nutrition major take this advanced nutrition course?” I replied with a shrug and he jokingly stated, “Ruminant nutrition is simple. Just bale the ditch and feed it to the cows.”
I have told that story many times. Several people are quick to point out that the statement is a drastic undersell of ruminant nutrition. However, some people just laugh and mildly agree with the simplicity.
But isn’t there some truth in the statement? As a beef extension educator, I get several requests to consult on beef cattle health and nutrition. Many times I find myself recommending feeding palatable, clean grass hay to help alleviate risk. Here are a few situations I think could benefit by simply feeding a bale of grass hay.
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Going to grass early. Lush, washy pasture is a challenging diet. It is low-fiber, high-protein, lower-energy and can have mineral imbalances. Grass tetany, weight loss, milk fever and digestive upset are some health concerns when grazing lush forages. Grass hay helps balance early grass.
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Cover crop grazing, graze-out wheat, summer annual grazing. Same premise as above. Grass hay can provide fiber, help balance protein-to-energy ratios and also be a dilution to higher nitrate levels.
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Bloat risk. Many times when transitioning cattle to starch-based rations, grass hay helps avoid acidosis and subsequent bloat. Long-stem grass hay is an important component in maintaining rumen function during transition and step-up diets. In high-legume pastures or when turning cattle out to new pastures that may be high inclusion of legumes, prior access and current access to palatable grass can help reduce bloat risk.
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Weaning. Palatable grass hay will help maintain rumen function and avoid digestive upset. It is often a familiar feed for calves and will help keep them on feed.
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Dilution of toxins. If you are dealing with feedstuffs that contain concerning levels of mycotoxins, nitrates, bacteria, mold or mineral imbalances, then access to clean grass hay can help dilute these toxins to safe levels.
- Vacation. If you ever need to leave the ranch and depend on someone else to do chores, free-choice access to grass hay can be a lifesaver. It can reduce skilled labor needs and allow the cattle to feed themselves while you are gone.
I see value in having free-choice access to clean, palatable grass hay during times of stress and ration transition. While I don’t completely agree that cattle nutrition is as simple as baling the ditch and feeding it, I do think access to grass hay is a component of managing changes in beef cattle diets.
