The National Agricultural Statistics Service reports that the
hay supply on farms is the lowest in history. Local and national
drought conditions have resulted in the lowest hay production
level per acre since 1988. Because of high grain prices, fewer
acres are being devoted to hay production, and supplies will
continue to be decreased in the foreseeable future. Many
livestock producers have been feeding hay since mid-summer and
this has resulted in inadequate hay supply and in some cases,
reduced cow body condition. There may be some excess hay
inventory on farms, but producers are reluctant to sell until
they are comfortably into the next grazing/haying period. The
question then is: What options are available to get through the
next 60-90 days? Corn and related by products: grains can be a
less expensive source of energy than roughage so we may wish to
limit feed diets high in grain. In cow diets, the benefit of
limit feeding will be relative to the costs of roughage,
concentrates and protein supplements. W