Table 1. Energy value of various grains compared to prairie, sorghum-sudan, alfalfa, and mixed hay.*
Amount of hay that can be replaced by 1 pound of grain
Grain TDN Prairie hay Sorghum-sudan Alfalfa hay Mixed hay*
(47% TDN) (56% TDN) (60% TDN) (53% TDN)
Corn 91 1.9 1.6 1.5 1.7
Barley 83 1.8 1.5 1.4 1.5
Oats 76 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.4
Wheat 88 1.9 1.6 1.5 1.6
Ear corn 80 1.7 1.4 1.3 1.5
*Mixed hay is equal to 50 percent prairie and 50 percent alfalfa hay.
Cooperative Extension System
Cattle Producer's Library
Cow-Calf Section CL1140
Wintering rations for cows and calves commonly are
largely roughage. However, substituting grain for roughage
may be economical depending upon availability and
price relationships between the two. Drought often shifts
the economics toward grain, because more energy per
ton can be transported, compared to hay.
Depending upon the goals of a cow wintering or calf
growing program, producers must determine how to
provide an adequate ration at the least possible cost. To
find this answer, the producer needs to know:
1. The animals' daily nutrient requirements.
2. The nutritive value of common feeds available.
3. The substitution value of available feeds in relation to
the nutritive properties and cost.
Table 1 is a comparison of various grains with several
common hays, based upon their energy value. On this
basis, corn grain is worth 1.9 times as much as average
quality prairie hay. Said another way, 1 pound of corn
will replace 1.9 pounds of prairie hay in a wintering
ration.
Table 2 compares the value of various grains per
hundredweight with the cost per ton of hay. For example,
if good quality alfalfa hay cost $80 per ton
delivered, you could pay up to $6.80 for corn or $6.40 for
barley delivered in a form ready to feed. If grain can be
bought for less than the value indicated in Table 2,
substituting grain for part of the roughage in the ration
would be economical.
These examples value only the energy in the feed.
Protein is not considered, nor are minerals and vitamins.
It should be recognized that the ration must be balanced
for all of the nutrients if it is expected to perform
adequately at the energy level provided.
Grains may also create some possible feeding problems.
It is suggested in most publications that wheat
make up no more than one-half of the grain to be fed,
because of possible digestive disturbances. Because of
the need for roughage in the ration, one-half pound of
hay per 100 pounds of body weight is suggested as a
minimum roughage. This may need to be increased
during severe cold weather.
When substituting values are a possibility, it may be
well for producers to plan for winter feed programs
during the hay harvesting season.
Roger Brownson, Beef Cattle Specialist
Montana State University
Substituting Grain for Hay
1140-1
Table 2. Comparative value of hay* and grain for wintering cows or ewes.
Cost per Cost per cwt delivered
ton hay Corn Barley Oats Wheat Ear corn
($) ($) ($) ($) ($) ($)
30 2.55 2.40 2.10 2.55 2.25
40 3.40 3.20 2.80 3.40 3.00
50 4.25 4.00 3.50 4.25 3.75
60 5.10 4.80 4.20 5.10 4.50
70 5.95 5.60 4.90 5.95 5.25
80 6.80 6.40 5.60 6.80 6.00
90 7.65 7.20 6.30 7.65 6.75
100 8.50 8.00 7.00 8.50 7.50
*Hay is mixed hay equal to 50 percent prairie and 50 percent alfalfa hay.
1140-2
Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by the Cooperative
Extension Systems at the University of Arizona, University of California, Colorado State University, University of Hawaii, University of Idaho, Montana
State University, University of Nevada/Reno, New Mexico State University, Oregon State University, Utah State University, Washington State
University and University of Wyoming, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. The Cooperative Extension System provides equal
opportunity in education and employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam-era
veteran, as required by state and federal laws. Second edition; January 2000 Reprint