Farm406

farm406 38 With winter feed costs accounting for as much as 50% of total production costs, managing this variable can make or break the profitability of a cow calf operation. Steve Ghelen and his Dad, Ron, use their processor to grind and feed one ration in a single pass. They process hay, straw green feed and rolled barley. a ration with the various computer programs available, combining hay, straw, and grain are frequently combined as the most economical combination to meet the needs of a specific animal based on a specific environment. The challenge for the producer is how to prepare and deliver this ration blended in an accurate and time effective way. With the introduction of the Highline CFR1251, it is now possible and cost effective as well. This model differs from other models in that it has a dual chamber, each with individual aggression settings, allowing for several hay/straw combinations. The grain tank can insert grain into the forage stream so that it completely homogenizes with the forages. It is the chopper blades that homogenize the diet, saving the grain and small particles from loss and preventing sorting by the animals. Some producers are using a mix wagon but its ability to blend and chop forages quickly pales in comparison to the CFR line of forage processors. Typically, straw is priced lower than hay, so combining the two lowers the daily cost of feeding gestating and lactating cows. Other crop residues can serve as good sources of energy as well. Producer Scott Ghelen, owner of a Highline CFR1251 bale processor, fed his cows all winter using a 50/50 mix of hay blended with barley straw and barley grain. Ghelen's 1800 pound cows in lactation ate 18 pounds of straw plus 18 pounds of hay plus 12 pounds of grain perfectly blended and chopped daily during the pre-calving and

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