Another question for QCG

Drafty · 08-16-2008, 02:05 PM

Good afternoon! May I ask you a few questions? We are thinking of getting back into dairy, nothing huge but just a couple animals, when our old mare passes leaving us horse-less. May I ask what silage is going for in your area? Is it hard to come by? How are feed prices for the cows (we used to grow/mix our own so I have no idea what bags cost but I know all other types of feed are outrageous)? Do you feed your lot hay or just pasture? Thank you very much!

**QuarterCowGirl** · 08-16-2008, 02:49 PM

Hey Drafty, I'll give you some numbers, but I'm sure it's different where you live! Here in Ontario, the weather has not been cooperating very well so the prices have gone up. Also with corn being used for ethanol that has also made prices go up.

You say you had cows before, I'm sure you'll find it quite a bit more expensive now to feed one.

Here, farmers grow and take off their own silage. I'm not sure what it would sell for as I've never heard of anyone selling it.

A good quality dairy ration would probably set you back $12-$15/bag. You could go the cheap way though and buy All Stock feed from TSC I think that sells for more like $9/bag. I was feeding the All Stock feed to ours for awhile there in the winter and they did just fine on it.

Right now, our cows are all on pasture and they get grain once a day. However in the winter, we'll be keeping them inside, they'll get hay 2x daily and feed on top of that. A good mineral source is key no matter what time of year it is.

I hope I answered your questions! Good luck!

blueberry · 08-16-2008, 03:02 PM

I have a question----how many feeds would you get out of a bag of the $9 feed? I am just curious. My DH always talks about raising our own beef someday. We have some hayfields, but we bale it up for the horses.

**QuarterCowGirl** · 08-16-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueberry

I have a question----how many feeds would you get out of a bag of the $9 feed? I am just curious. My DH always talks about raising our own beef someday. We have some hayfields, but we bale it up for the horses.

Ummm I'm trying to think back now... I dumped the bags in a wheelbarrow, and I think one bag fed 24 cows (a mid size scoop).

Drafty · 08-16-2008, 07:56 PM

THANK YOU!!! A great help, as always!

**QuarterCowGirl** · 08-17-2008, 12:00 AM

Thanks, I try!

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08-16-2008, 02:05 PM
Drafty Long Yearling Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,008	Another question for QCG Good afternoon! May I ask you a few questions? We are thinking of getting back into dairy, nothing huge but just a couple animals, when our old mare passes leaving us horse-less. May I ask what silage is going for in your area? Is it hard to come by? How are feed prices for the cows (we used to grow/mix our own so I have no idea what bags cost but I know all other types of feed are outrageous)? Do you feed your lot hay or just pasture? Thank you very much! __________________ "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Mahatma Gandhi

08-16-2008, 02:49 PM
QuarterCowGirl Welcome and Introductions Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 6,657	Hey Drafty, I'll give you some numbers, but I'm sure it's different where you live! Here in Ontario, the weather has not been cooperating very well so the prices have gone up. Also with corn being used for ethanol that has also made prices go up. You say you had cows before, I'm sure you'll find it quite a bit more expensive now to feed one. Here, farmers grow and take off their own silage. I'm not sure what it would sell for as I've never heard of anyone selling it. A good quality dairy ration would probably set you back $12-$15/bag. You could go the cheap way though and buy All Stock feed from TSC I think that sells for more like $9/bag. I was feeding the All Stock feed to ours for awhile there in the winter and they did just fine on it. Right now, our cows are all on pasture and they get grain once a day. However in the winter, we'll be keeping them inside, they'll get hay 2x daily and feed on top of that. A good mineral source is key no matter what time of year it is. I hope I answered your questions! Good luck! __________________ I'm a farmer - I'll grow on you.

08-16-2008, 03:02 PM
blueberry Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: great lakes area Posts: 763	I have a question----how many feeds would you get out of a bag of the $9 feed? I am just curious. My DH always talks about raising our own beef someday. We have some hayfields, but we bale it up for the horses. __________________ Proud horse mom to: Genie the beauty queenie (3yo QH) Tess the best (5yo QH) "To err is human, to forgive is equine"

08-16-2008, 07:56 PM
Drafty Long Yearling Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,008	THANK YOU!!! A great help, as always! __________________ "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." - Mahatma Gandhi

08-17-2008, 12:00 AM
QuarterCowGirl Welcome and Introductions Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 6,657	Thanks, I try! __________________ I'm a farmer - I'll grow on you.