Drought conditions influenced forage and grain production for nearly two years. Forage and grain yields are expected to be somewhere between 1/3 and ½ of normal. Pasture yield is also low or already out. Feeding and managing cows while coping with these conditions is a challenge complicated further by costs associated with feed delivery. Cow-calf producers must incorporate three considerations that greatly affect cow feeding costs under current economic conditions: feeding group size, energy density of feed and fuel cost.
Feeds (or mixed diets) that require extensive…