News
Tennessee cattle producers dealing with hay challenges post-hurricane
An extension forage specialist with the University of Tennessee Beef and Forage Center says Hurricane Helene has created additional challenges for cattle producers. Bruno Pedreira says producers need to evaluate hay quality. “Our main concern is that they can mold,” he says. “Most likely the hay that was under water will mold anyway. So it will not be okay to be used.”
He tells Brownfield that feeding flood-damaged hay to livestock is a health risk. “All of this white mold and black mode can get into the rumen,” he says.
Hay supplies are getting tighter heading into winter, and Pedreira says producers need to be more efficient when feeding. “Every time you unroll hay, you may lose from 1/4 to 1/2 of it,” he says. “Just because the animals are trampling over it. “I’d try to use those rings or those cones, any kind of hay device that you can keep them far from the ground.”
He says cattle producers from all over the country have been sending hay donations, which has been incredibly helpful for Tennessee producers.
Pedreira says hay damaged by flood waters doesn’t have to be a total loss—it can be used for erosion control or compost.
AUDIO: Bruno Pedreira, University of Tennessee
Add Comment