North Dakota is battling drought, and its consequences are felt across the state's farms. Almost a third of the region is drought-stricken, with the northern parts facing severe conditions. This has led to lower forage production and less-than-ideal pasture conditions. According to Miranda Meehan of NDSU Extension, the choices boil down to selling, relocating, or supplementing cattle feed.
By reducing the number of cattle or their grazing time, farmers can ease the pressure on pastures. These changes could have minimal effects on the cattle's weaning weight. But if they choose to maintain current numbers, extra feeding becomes a must. Overstocked pastures might also produce less forage the next season.
Supplementing can help, but it's a delicate balance. The goal is to replace pasture intake without hampering the digestion of forage. Zac Carlson, an NDSU beef cattle expert, mentions that the focus should be on factors like available forage, protein levels, cattle condition, and supplement costs.
Karl Hoppe from NDSU recommends using harvested forages like alfalfa for supplements but warns that consuming them in pastures can be challenging. Farmers should use tame pastures to avoid introducing unwanted plants. Grain-based supplements may reduce forage digestion, so barley and wheat should be processed before feeding
Energy supplements must be given daily, and alternatives like fibrous by-product feeds can be a better choice. They don't affect forage intake as much and are quite nutritious. In extreme conditions, using a drylot might be the most cost-effective solution, giving pastures time to recover from the drought.
For more alternative options, visit ndsu.ag/alternativefeeds or get in touch with a local NDSU Extension agent.
Photo Credit: -peopleimages
Categories: North Dakota, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle