Unrolling Hay vs. Bale Grazing, with results

I compare the hay utilization and the ground impact when unrolling hay vs bale grazing hay. Interesting results.

[@jessealexander4329]

If you have time, walk down the unrolled hay with a fork and pitch 1/3 to the right, 1/3 to the left, and leave a 1/3. Takes about 10 minutes. This will reduce trampling and they won't lay on as much of it. Also distributes the waste better.

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll give it a try for sure. Thanks

[@hoggettfarmer9652]

We’ve been doing this for decades. It takes about two years to see the results but the soils love it.

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

The only problem I have with unrolling is with the cows walking on it when it’s really muddy conditions. Unrolling seems to be working

[@basvdflier]

Sure thing you will get much more out of your hay like this. The 'negative' you mention about not all being eaten will be a positive in the long run for feeding your soil. Especially on the poorer soil as you're saying. I think 3 positives outweigh the limited amount of extra time a day it cost you by. And with the suggestion made before me by Jesse, you're maybe improve with more biomass left behind over a wider area. Cows look in very good shape anyway, so you must doing a great job the way you are. Thanks for sharing with us through your videos! I enjoy watching m

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

Thanks for the comments. I’m hoping that we don’t have to feed hay too much longer. If you saw the clip at the very end, our clover and rye are kicking in and will start to be a substantial part of their diet. Plus that’s much higher protein than the Bahia hay we have.

[@basvdflier]

@@stringerbridgefarm3201 By the reaction of your cows you can tell that they're very happy in that last part of the video. So I hope nature's being nice and you can continue grazing. Otherwise another bale unrolling in two parts like you did seems to prevent much from being 'lost'. Looking forward seeing how this works out for you.

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

Thanks, I have a couple weeks worth of nice grass like that in front of the cows. If the weather is halfway decent it will keep growing and my summer grasses will start waking up and we will really be in good shape.

[@bobe.johnson5586]

Good idea!!

[@bobe.johnson5586]

Cuts your hay cost in half… 6:02

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

Thanks for watching and supporting

[@ks_hunter7327]

That’s not waste, that reseeding and increasing the biomass in the soil

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

I totally agree. But I do like to utilize as high a percentage as possible for its primary intended use as direct feed.

[@glorgau]

Those are some hungry cows. The hay that's "wastage" is going to be good for the pasture, probably won't see the results on that for a year or two.

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

Usually by midsummer I can see the darker green rings of grass from the spots we fed hay.

[@bobanderson6656]

Where is this? Looks like down south somewhere.

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

South Louisiana

[@bobanderson6656]

@Stringer Bridge Farm have to ask then. Is it feasible for you to quit cutting hay and just stockpile grazing for winter? I have read where cattlemen down that way have done just that.

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

I don’t know if anyone who is able to do that. In our area, our biggest hurdle is that we do not have any cool season grasses that I am aware of that can survive our winter. Our main grass is Bahia, which does not stockpile well. I’ve seen some tests on it once it’s dormant, and it’s very low protein, like 6% or less. Then couple that with constant rain and the cows just won’t eat the stockpile Bahia. With all that said, I still think it’s possible If we can get some other grass growing and incorporate a fall annual to get us through till the clover kicks in.

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

To help complete my statement, the constant rain, and generally warm winters, means stockpile rots by late winter. Anything in my fallow areas right now has rotted down to virtually nothing.

[@user-py7gr6tx3i]

А где снег...?

[@stringerbridgefarm3201]

We are in south Louisiana along the coast of the gulf of mexico. Never snows here. We get a few light freezes during winter, enough to kill summer grasses, but generally pretty mild winters.

[@user-py7gr6tx3i]

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