As the temperatures drop across North Georgia, every farm owner knows the winter routine: feeding hay. You spend a significant amount of time and money to stock your barn with quality forage for the cold months. Yet, a frustrating amount of that investment often ends up as expensive bedding, trampled into the mud or snow. It is estimated that livestock can waste anywhere from 20% to 50% of the hay they are fed, a figure that directly impacts your bottom line.
Learning how to prevent hay waste is one of the most effective ways to manage your budget and ensure your animals get the nutrition they need. This isn’t about being stingy; it’s about being smart and efficient. This guide provides practical winter feeding tips tailored for our region, helping you keep more hay in your animals and less under their feet.
Why Hay Waste Happens
Understanding the reasons behind hay waste is the first step to solving the problem. Animals don’t waste hay on purpose; their behavior is often a reaction to how they are fed and the quality of the forage provided.
Feeding on the Ground
The most common cause of waste is feeding hay directly on the ground. In the damp and often muddy conditions of a North Georgia winter, hay placed on the ground is quickly trampled, urinated on, and mixed with mud. Once soiled, animals will refuse to eat it. This method also increases the risk of your livestock ingesting dirt, parasites, and bacteria.
Poor Quality Forage
Livestock, especially horses, are discerning eaters. They will sort through hay to find the most palatable leaves and stems, leaving behind anything that is coarse, weedy, or smells dusty or moldy. If you start with poor-quality hay, you can expect a significant portion of it to be rejected.
Lack of a Feeder
Without a physical barrier to contain the hay, animals will naturally push it around, spread it out, and walk all over it. This behavior mimics natural foraging but is highly inefficient in a controlled feeding environment. A large pile of hay becomes a comfortable place to stand or lie down, which ruins it for consumption.
Effective Strategies to Minimize Waste
You can drastically reduce the amount of hay you lose each winter by implementing a few key strategies. These changes protect your investment and improve your feeding operation’s efficiency.
1. Use a Hay Feeder
This is the single most important step you can take to prevent hay waste. A feeder contains the hay, lifts it off the ground, and limits the animals’ ability to soil it. Studies have shown that using feeders can reduce hay waste by over 40% compared to feeding on the ground.
- For Cattle: Cone feeders, hay rings, and covered trough feeders are excellent options. Cone feeders are often cited as the most efficient, as they keep the bale centered and away from the animals’ feet.
- For Horses: Slow-feeder nets, bags, or boxes are ideal. These not only contain the hay but also slow down consumption, which mimics natural grazing, reduces boredom, and supports better digestive health. For ground feeding, a simple tub or trough keeps the hay clean and contained.
2. Store Hay Properly
Waste begins before you even feed the first flake. Hay that is stored improperly and exposed to moisture will develop mold and become unpalatable. The outer layers of round bales stored uncovered outside can be completely ruined, representing a significant loss.
Always store hay in a dry, covered location, like a barn or shed. Elevate the stack on wooden pallets to prevent ground moisture from wicking into the bottom bales. If you must store hay outside, use a high-quality, waterproof tarp and ensure the stack is on high, well-drained ground. We have hay huts available at our stores.
3. Adjust Feeding Amounts
It might seem logical to provide a large amount of hay at once to save time, but this can encourage picky eating and waste. Animals will sort through a large pile for the best bits and discard the rest.
Try to feed only what your animals will clean up in a single feeding period. Offering smaller, more frequent meals keeps the hay fresh and encourages them to eat what is provided. This also gives you a chance to observe your animals’ consumption habits and adjust rations as needed.
4. Start with High-Quality Hay
You can have the best feeder in the world, but if the hay inside is low quality, your animals will still waste it. Investing in clean, palatable hay is a smart financial decision because less of it gets rejected. Look for hay that has a fresh, sweet smell, good green color, and is free from dust, mold, and weeds. J & J Hay Farms is a premium supplier of hay in North Georgia. We work to ensure every bale is of the highest quality. Learn more about our hay here.
Your Partner in Quality Feed and Supplies
Putting these winter feeding tips into practice will save you a surprising amount of money and ensure your livestock get the full nutritional benefit of their winter forage. The right equipment and the best quality hay are your two greatest assets in the fight against waste.
For all your livestock needs this winter, visit Cherokee Feed and Seed. We offer a wide selection of durable hay feeders, high-quality Cherokee Feed and Seed forage, and all the essential supplies to keep your animals healthy and your farm running efficiently. Our knowledgeable staff is always here to help you find the perfect solutions to prevent hay waste and make this feeding season your most successful yet.
by Agribusiness Expert Lyndsy Bradley
