Ranch Routine: Evaluating Hay Quality with a Hay Probe for Optimal Cattle Feed

Hay testing has been a big enhancement to my program. In this video I begin to collect hay samples. The goal is to learn the nutrient values so I can make decisions about supplementing my cattle in the wineter.

[@jeanpowell1363]

You’re introducing us to many things about ranching that many us would never know. It’s very interesting. I’m enjoying your videos. Again, thanks for sharing.

[@PrideRanch]

Thanks for watching! More work to do. :-). So I'll keep sharing.

[@brendamoncrief4459]

Wow.. a lot of work and a lot of knowledge...#Farming

[@PrideRanch]

Definitely lots of work! But I love it!

[@ginnyoya9394]

Wow, what a large farm🤗🙏🏾

[@PrideRanch]

Thank you!!!

[@dasiegirl2347]

Like you says you got to do what you gotta do

[@mikewilkins2030]

16:40 😂😂😂😂 tell him! It’s my farm now! With all respect pop pop! lol

[@PrideRanch]

😂😂😂

[@chrisroccaforte3934]

Well done, sir. Rain is coming, be safe.

[@PrideRanch]

Thanks!! I pray it does!!

[@Longhornsgundogs]

Love to watch you work brother! Greetings from East TN. I plan to do a little cattle farming in the next few years. Thanks for the tips. I'm locked in with you. Keep it coming

[@PrideRanch]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@sharonwynder218]

I used to live in Ft.Hood, Texas.....yeah it's hot as heck out there 😊

[@PrideRanch]

You didn’t like the Texas heat? 😂😜🤷🏾‍♂️

[@sharonwynder218]

@@PrideRanch 😂

[@rayjohnson7886]

Whenever them joints gets father time it's gonna work on you I've been going down faster than I can get up old joints juices gone.

[@PrideRanch]

😂😂😂😂😂. Yes!!! My cousin John always tells me “we ain’t spring chickens any more!”

[@rayjohnson7886]

@PrideRanch Good morning yes sir I do mechanics and I feels it sit down for a long time oh man hurts getting up but you know as you was saying your dad told you it's from experience I'm fixing to be 64 and when I was in my 20's I was lifting pulling didn't 🤔 about a rite or wrong way now I know I pulled flatbed for 35 yrs 2 surgeries on the back and 2 on the shoulder father time.

[@PrideRanch]

Sorry to read about the surgeries! I was ok until my knees got hit by the metal gate in the corral! I learned that day!

[@rayjohnson7886]

@PrideRanch Thank you hopefully the knee is better I be checking your videos very great motivation for the next person I'm originally from Houston my grandparents are from Coldsprings TX. I used to go to Conroe Willis TX. and Montgomery Tx. nice country.

[@s2y7garrett]

Hello I’m enjoying your Vlogs. How many acres do you own? Do you offer tours on your ranch?

[@PrideRanch]

My place is 100 acres located in Hillsboro, TX. I’m only doing virtual tours at this time.

[@RiniaMax4138]

I want to know where you are educator prior to ranching? I’m learning new things by watching your videos. ❤

[@PrideRanch]

Not sure why my reply didn't stay. I will try again. My degree is in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University. Ranching I learned from my family and continuing education from the cattle industry.

[@RiniaMax4138]

@@PrideRanch Got to love Family and being grounded! Thanks for the reply. 😊

[@broderickpride9124]

@@RiniaMax4138do you own cattle? Are you close to purchasing? How can I help?

[@MzBLACKFOX]

✨🖤🙏🏾💯

[@chrisjohnson1552]

You get a better representation of your bale if you go in from the side of the bale. This allows you to collect the multiple layers that make up the bale.

[@PrideRanch]

I'll try that next time. Thanks for the idea.

[@valeriebillings7248]

I’m learning a lot! Didn’t know you test hay?? Protein & Energy in hay? Wow! How much does a bale of Hay cost? You’re harvesting your own 👍🏽How much does the feed cost? And how often to restock? Is there 1 pond on the property? How deep is it? Do you use a certain cleanser for it? Do you have a full staff or Do you work most of it? I’ve seen Billy assisting on prior videos I see you’re also an Engineer. What made you switch careers? Corporate America can be a beast but hey it’s work. 😊 Oh wow didn’t know the weight of your heifer affects her chances of getting pregnant. See still learning :) And yes wear knee pads to protect your knees. Pads take some of the pressure/tension off. Don’t forget your sunscreen 👍🏽

[@PrideRanch]

Yes testing your hay is a thing. It’s a process I learned. Hay can vary in price. These days cost is $75 to $100 a bale since Covid. Prior it was $50 a bale. I like to restock when I’m down to or at 75 bales. I try to keep 2 to 3 years in stock. I am a one man army. I hired Brian to assist. But he’s not there all the time. Cyber security engineering is fun BUT this is way cooler. I get to get back to my roots and build a legacy for my heirs in the same why my grandfather did. There are two ponds and 1 water well.

[@valeriebillings7248]

@@PrideRanch Awesome! Love it! Thanks so much for being transparent and eager to share how it’s done. Continued blessings, good health and prosperity! 💐😊🙏🏽

[@rayjohnson7886]

Hold one end and turn the other end.

[@TaryonWalker-Green]

🔥🔥🔥 How Hot Is It out there in TX?

[@PrideRanch]

😂😂😂😂. Too hot to be testing hay quality!! We are in the 90s this week

[@d.conraddoctor5465]

If you don’t mind, would please share the vendor that you use for your hay tarps. Sounds silly, but I am going to ask. The tarps that you use on your hay storage area. Are the tarps water proof

[@buckreynolds7475]

You should be balling that Johnson grass about 18 % prottin

[@PrideRanch]

I thought about it. I decided to allow the cattle to graze. I don’t have any other grass for them to eat.

[@rayjohnson7886]

You gonna let that do because the 🥵 is doing you ready to break field drink plenty of water and power aid.

[@PrideRanch]

Oh yeah!!! I had several drinks to hydrate me.

[@janicejones7189]

So is there a certain type of fertilizers that you need to use for the grass? That’s good for the cattle?

[@PrideRanch]

Some nitrogen fertilizer is better than others. I recently learned of a particular type that is very difficult to purchase these days due to government regulation.

[@dasiegirl2347]

Pride listen to dad the knees you save today will be the knees you will need tomorrow if bro arthritis don't look around the corner and attack 😅

[@PrideRanch]

Yes....that's what my dad and my Uncle Rob says!! :-)

[@brendamoncrief4459]

Question: if, you store hay inside, is that better then, outside storage..does it keep longer covered?

[@PrideRanch]

Yes it is better. Financially one has to decide if the cost makes sense.

[@brendamoncrief4459]

@PrideRanch are the prefab barns economically financially good? In the long term wouldn't it pay for itself?

[@PrideRanch]

When I priced a hay barn it was north of $30K. I suspect over the long run maybe, but there is the now and present cash flow. I need the cash to pay for the barn.

[@valeriebillings7248]

@@PrideRanchUnderstood. Cash is King 👍🏽

[@kellawson9381]

How long do u let a pale set before getting it tested?

[@PrideRanch]

As long as you are storing the hay correctly it shouldn’t matter. But in my case there was a ton of rain. So ideally I would have want to test before the rain!

[@d.conraddoctor5465]

Broderick, Could you tell me, are you using a local facility to test the quality of your hay samples?

[@PrideRanch]

Good morning! the facility I use is not local. I use DairyOne in Ithaca, New York.

[@d.conraddoctor5465]

@@PrideRanch Thank you for providing that information. I will review that facility online. You made the comment in your hay sampling video…. The things you do for your cows. Brother, I just said the same thing a few days ago when i was working them.

[@PrideRanch]

Sounds like you and I think the same. Take care of the cow and she will take care of you. Here is the link dairyone.com/. If you email me at [e-mail] I can send you the form I use to submit the sample. Of course you can always get one from them too.

[@buckreynolds7475]

If you watch them you will know been doing it for 55 years

[@PrideRanch]

If I watch the cattle?

[@buckreynolds7475]

@@PrideRanch yes they will tell you

[@PrideRanch]

@@buckreynolds7475 ah ok.