37 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | November/December 2024 livestock, which could lead to skin blistering and peeling. Fenugreek straw has been sporadically shown to cause neurological illnesses, which is characterized by livestock having weakness in their hindlimbs, trembling muscles, and eventually death. While not as severe, many salvaged crops may have palatability issues, which can reduce feed intake. To account for these factors, it is important to blend salvaged crops at low levels into the ration. Watch for weeds Many weeds can accumulate anti-nutritional factors and toxins, such as nitrates, oxalates, pyrrolizidine alkaloids and others, or toxic levels of nitrates. Particularly, kochia can accumulate high levels of nitrates, oxalates, sodium, sulphur, and other compounds that can make it toxic. Aside from the toxicity of some weeds, seeds can also be spread through livestock, creating issues if cattle are wintered on future pasture or hay land. Approximately 15 per cent of weed seeds can be viable after passing through a rumen, and those that drop out of the hay before the cattle eat it are also viable. If you have a lot of weed pressure in the crop you are salvaging for feed, it is important to take note of the weeds present and include it in a lower proportion in the ration and/or feed it in a location where the weeds can be easily managed. What is the crop worth as feed? There are a lot of things that go into pricing salvage crop as feed, including the costs that went into growing the crop, the lost revenue from the grain, lost value from leaving residue in the field, harvest costs and storage costs. A calculator is available to help producers determine a price for feed from their salvage crops at publications. saskatchewan.ca/#/products/76537. Graze stubble This can be another way to get feed value out of crop land. Straw and chaff can be variable in quality and are low in protein and energy. Because of this, it is best to graze dry cows who are still early in pregnancy since their needs are still low. If grazing the stubble later in the year, supplementation will likely be needed. Grazing stubble has the added benefit of applying manure directly to the land for fertilization. Salvaging crops as feed can be a great way to still get use out of a crop despite the challenges that can be associated with it. For more information about feeding salvaged crops, contact your local livestock and feed extension specialist or the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377. BF Ag Insights 22_0470_MH_PailsLids_HalfHoriz_US_MXsp Mod: September 9, 2024 9:07 AM Print: 09/09/24 page 1 v2.5 ORDER BY 6 PM FOR SAME DAY SHIPPING 1-800-295-5510 uline.ca PAILS AND LIDS IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES CLOSED HEAD POLY SQUARE SCREW TOP OPEN OR CLOSED STEEL IN STOCK – SHIPS TODAY π ADRIANE GOOD Adriane, MSc, PAg, is a livestock and feed extension specialist with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture. She is based in Moose Jaw.
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