Owner`s manual

REPLACING HAY WITH GRAIN
If you must replace conventional
roughage feeds with grain
because of flooding, consider
fibrous grains such as oats,
barley, ground ear corn or one
of the high-fiber byproducts
such as brewers grains, corn
gluten feed or soy hulls.
Continue to feed hay or straw
unless you have had experience
with high grain feeding. You
must maintain a minimum
amount of forage in cattle diets.
Check with your nutritionist or
county agricultural agent for
guidelines. Spread any major
changes in a feeding program
over a period of several days.
Observe animals carefully during
the transition.
Additional resources:
Consult your veterinarian or county
agricultural agent before using
flood-damaged feeds.
♦ To check a stack's temperature for fire risk, drive a sharp pointed pipe
into the hay, lower a thermometer inside the pipe, and leave it there
for about 20 minutes. At 150 degrees F., the hay is approaching the
danger zone. At 170 degrees F., hot spots or fire pockets are
possible. Have the fire department on standby.
FIND A LOCAL MARKET
If it is not possible to dry grain artificially, try to find a local market for it.
Usable flood-damaged grain must be sold at a salvage price, possibly to a
large livestock feeder who can use it before it spoils. Grain should be kept
in airtight storage to prevent spoilage.
SEED GRAIN AND SILAGE OFTEN A LOSS
Wet seed grain probably will not be suitable for seed, as wetness causes
the seed to germinate. Subsequent drying would stop germination and
likely kill the seed or reduce its viability. Do not feed seed grain to
livestock, since it may contain toxic additives.
Flooded silage likewise will be a loss. Its waterlogged state will hurt feed
value, as will any contaminants from the water. Like hay, it might be
spread on fields as a fertilizer.
SAFETY WITH WATER-DAMAGED FEEDS
♦ Testing. Do not feed flood-damaged grains until they are tested for
mycotoxins, toxic substances produced by fungi. Ask your county
Extension agent for locations of testing laboratories. Even if the feed
is deemed safe to use, watch animals carefully for signs of illness.
♦ Nutritive value. Mixed feeds, grains and roughages which have heated
or spoiled will have little nutritive value for livestock, depending on
the extent of the damage.
♦ Safety. Do not feed heated, molded or sour feeds, or moldy legume
hays (such as alfalfa or clover) to any livestock. Reduced
performance, sickness, abortion or death may occur.
Information from: University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension, Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension Service, University of
Missouri Extension
University of Wisconsin-Extension • Cooperative Extension