The dry growing conditions of 2022 and 2023 have led to supply and quality issues of hay and other forages in some areas of the state. Cattlemen may be faced with a short supply of hay, corn silage with the potential for nitrates, and poor pastures that resulted in stored hay being fed most of the summer. Unfortunately, tight hay supplies will likely lead to higher prices later in the winter feeding period, according to Iowa State University extension beef specialist Denise Schwab.
“Controlling feed cost while meeting all of the cow’s nutrient requirements requires knowledge of both the…
