Comments and report from James I. Sprague, Livestock Nutritionist

Modern hay processors can fit a niche for feedlots and stock farms. For larger feedlots, even though tub ground hay will continue to be the major source of the dry roughage, processed hay can be used for starting cattle rations and emergency feeding of roughages. Other uses of a hay processor is supplemental feeding on corn stalk and pastures, and providing emergency hay processing caused by power outages and winter storms.

Modern hay processors, like the EZ Ration Processors provide a way to mix and match different types of hay. They also can be used for supplemental feeding on cornstalks or pasture.

Mix and Match Possible
Mixing and matching two types of hay is now possible with the EZ Ration Processor manufactured by RCMR Company of Kim, Colorado. This machine can also add grain and/or supplements as well as mix silage along with the processed hay. The original use of hay processors was for filling bunks for starting or growing cattle, but the development of modern hay processors by RCMR and other companies have added a nutritional advantage to the use of the machines for forage preparation.

Mix Two hays for a Better Ration
The EZ Ration Processor will handle two types of large square bales at a time and is engineered to fill feedbunks, place hay in windrows or prepare hay for a complete mixed ration, according to R. C. Patterson of RCMR.

Mixing two types of hay at the same time offers nutritional and cost saving advantages. Cattle operators can mix high quality hay with lower quality hay. For example, a high quality alfalfa hay can be fed along with a low protein grass or sorghum hay. The alfalfa hay will provide a much higher content of protein, calcium and phosphorous than a late cut grass hay. Combining the hay provides a way to utilize the low quality hay, while "cheapening" the overall cost of the ration using a more expensive hay.

The RCMR processor uses mower section knives to cut the hay.

Adding Grain to Processed Hay
The EZ Ration Hay Processor can also be equipped to add grain or supplement to the hay as it is being processed. This tactic is desirable for rations fed in feedbunks or under a hot wire where cleanup of the ration can be achieved. A scale system can be added to control the amount of hay and grain that is fed.

Mixing Silage While Processing Hay
The EZ Ration Processor is built with optional side boards so that silage can be mixed as hay is being processed. The resultant mixture gets closer to a complete ration.

Applying Liquids?
Liquid supplements applied on the top of square bales could then be mixed as the hay is processed. The liquids not only will control dust and loss of leaves but add nutrients and feed additives from a liquid supplement.

Advantages of Processed Hay
Patterson says he has found a saving of at least 25 percent of the hay fed with processed hay vs feeding long hay to his own cattle. He proposes the savings results from less hay wastage and better "rumination" of the uniform hay particles." ©

Comments or questions on this or any article by Dr. Sprague can be directed to him at 625 Grandview Avenue, Newton, Kansas, 67114. Or call him at (316) 283-8692.