It’s no secret that drought has caused a hay shortage in many parts of the country. So what can concerned livestock owners do to ensure that their farm animals are getting enough fodder to keep their digestive systems working properly? Added roughage could be the answer.
The dictionary definition of roughage is: The course indigestible contents of food or fodder which provide bulk to the diet and promote normal bowel function. “Roughage helps keep the digestive system in tune with the way God made it,” said Dallas Bock, Midwest Regional Sales Manager of Standlee Hay Company. Roughage comes in many forms – alfalfa cubes, shredded or pelleted beet pulp, and silage, to name a few. Each type has different nutritional value and different feeding requirements. Wondering what to add to your critter’s roughage repertoire? Here are some choices to get you started.
Alfalfa Cubes
There are two different kinds of alfalfa cubes – dehydrated and sun cured. Dehydrated cubes are made by cutting early stage alfalfa and letting it partially dry, making it wilt. The wilted alfalfa is then gathered, chopped, dehydrated in a processing plant and compressed into cubes. Sun cured alfalfa cubes are made from cut alfalfa that has been dried in the field. After it has been cured, the alfalfa is taken to a processing plant, where it is chopped and cubed. Because the alfalfa particles in the cubes are still quite large, they can be used as a hay replacement for livestock when a grass hay supply is limited. Bock suggested feeding multiple small meals throughout the day if the cubes are replacing hay in an animal’s diet.
Beet Pulp
Beet pulp is a low sugar, high fiber feed that is created by the sugar beet industry. Once sugar beets have been processed to extract the sugar, the ‘waste product,’ known as beet pulp is left over. The pulp is then packaged and sold in feed stores, in either shredded or pelleted form. It is highly recommended that beet pulp be soaked prior to feeding – because the pulp swells when mixed with liquid, it is usually easier for an animal to digest if it has already been soaked. Beet pulp is extremely high in fiber, making it a good grass hay substitute. Many feed companies add molasses to the beet pulp, in order to make it more palatable to picky farm critters.
Silage
Silage is fermented fodder with high moisture content. It is made from grass crops such as corn, oats or sorghum. Silage is created by cutting green vegetation with 50 to 60 percent moisture content and placing it in a silo or a large heap covered with plastic. The vegetation is then allowed to ferment. The fermentation process begins about 48 hours after the silage is packed in or piled up – it takes roughly two weeks to complete the process. Silage can be fed to ruminants such as sheep, cattle and goats – it is sometimes used as a winter feed when pasture is unavailable.
Brans
Bran is a rich fiber source that contains significant amounts of vitamins, proteins, starches and essential fatty acids. This healthy, nutrient-packed milling by-product is considered to be a ‘superfood’ for both humans and livestock. Bran is milled from cereal grains such as rice, millet, barley, wheat, oats and corn. Rice and wheat bran are especially popular as an equine feed; they both have a high nutritional value without the negative side effects of grain (high sugar content, overeating, a ‘hot’ horse, etc.). Rice bran often comes in a pelleted form, while wheat bran is finely ground and mixed with hot water to make a warm porridge or ‘mash.’
Sprouted Grains
Sprouted grains are one of the best roughage options available. A grain sprouting operation can be as simple as a few buckets and a strainer, or as complex as a hydroponics system. Regardless of the set-up, sprouted grain makes a great feed. Virtually any sort of grain can be sprouted: barley, oats, rye and wheat, to name a few. The grain is soaked in water for six to eight hours, and then drained. It is then spread in shallow trays or buckets and allowed to grow for six to eight days. The grain must be rinsed daily in order to keep it clean and free of mold or harmful bacteria. Sixty to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is the optimal growing temperature for sprouts – but they can still be grown in temperatures warmer or cooler than this with careful maintenance. Day six is typically the best day to feed the sprouts – this is when the protein content is normally the highest. The sprouts can be fed to all livestock.
With the right amount of research and experimentation, you can keep your critters well fed and happy – with or without hay.
