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Buy Hay Or Sell Cows
ELDON COLE
MT. VERNON, MO.
I overheard a conversation between two fellows who obviously owned cow herds. One said “I’m not going to pay $60 for a bale of hay, I’m selling my cows.” The other nodded in agreement. There were a few questions I’d have loved to ask them but refrained. Yes, I’m hearing of $60 plus big bales selling. What did those bales weigh? 800 pounds? 1000 pounds? 1200 pounds? What variety of hay was it and was it put up at the proper stage of growth?
Unfortunately, there isn’t much hay that’s not already got a home right where it was raised. More than ever this year buy hay with knowledge of it’s weight and nutritional value. That means weigh a sample few bales and have a $20 or so forage analysis run on it.
Finally, there are always some cows in even the best herds, that need a one-way ticket to the yards. They’re described as “O-O-O” cows, Old, Open and Ornery! This year having a veterinarian help with your cow herd assessment is more important than ever. Cows that calved the first 4 or 5 months of the year should be preg checked as soon as you can. While the vet’s at work behind and inside the cow check the other end for sound mouths. Someone should check udders and hooves. These two areas will likely reveal cows that have outlived their usefulness on progressive beef cow operations. ∆
ELDON COLE: Extension Livestock Specialist, University of Missouri
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