FORAGE PRODUCTION ON CATTLE FARMS by Doug Ward Doug@ABPmag.com Forage production on cattle farms & ranches is one of the most essential elements needed for it to be profitable. The only reason the Beef cow was put on this earth was to convert lower quality forages that are inedible to humans and turn them into a very delicious protein for human consumption. The cow would graze the rough terrain, consuming forage not only to feed herself, but to also provide nutrition to her offspring. Ideally year round grazing of these forages would greatly reduce the need for equipment and in turn increase profitability of the ranch or farm. The climate that you live in dictates how much forage has to be mechanically harvested and stored to feed the herd during the winter months and during years of lower production due to weather. There are 100 different ways to put up hay. From the early days of putting up loose hay, to the invention of the small square baler. Then there‘s the now high capacity round and big square balers along with self-propelled forage harvesters. The modern-day equipment has come a long way to help reduce labor and time needed to harvest forages. Though it seems like we don’t have as many good harvesting hours in the day to put up quality forage as when we were younger. This might be due to the instant access to weather on our smart phones and the weatherman not 18
being as correct in their forecasts that reduces our harvestable hours. Plus there are some of the more arid parts of the U.S. where baling is done at night when there is a dew on the hay to help prevent leaf loss. What are companies providing and what are the farmer/ ranchers wanting these days in equipment? Farmers/ranchers want equipment that is reliable, cost effective, and has the ability to do the job a fast, efficient way. Equipment has become bigger and faster due to less available labor. Another question one has to consider is to own your own equipment or to hire the job done? Machinery is not cheap to own. Most of the custom operators have newer equipment that might be more reliable than what you can afford on your own. Equipment dealers are providing more customer and technical service in recent years. When I was talking with one of my local dealers, he mentioned that within American Beef Producer
their 4 stores, they were able to have a forage specialist amongst their employees to help producers with problems and breakdowns. This way communication between the dealer or service tech can be face to face or via cell phone while in the field. Wireless communication can reduce downtime if the problem can be diagnosed without bringing equipment in from the field to be repaired. Before a company turns out a new piece of equipment, they go through a couple years of research on it before selling it to the public. They research out in real situations in all parts of the country. One machine might be running over 20-30,000 acres to ensure that every possible scenario is covered. Cutting hay and other forages: Many producers have gone to the Disc Mowers. These mowers range in sizes from 7 - 20 feet. They can be just a cutter bar or be equipped with conditioning rolls. October 2020
