“The Rest of the Story…Cost of Feeding Horses” Mindy Hubert, Small Acreage Field Specialist...
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Transcript of “The Rest of the Story…Cost of Feeding Horses” Mindy Hubert, Small Acreage Field Specialist...
“The Rest of the Story…Cost of Feeding Horses”
Mindy Hubert,Small Acreage Field Specialist
SDSU [email protected]
605-394-1722
Many acreage owners are also new to Horse Ownership
Many New Acreage Owners:
• Migrate from urban areas / areas of higher rainfall• Have little (if any) grazing mgmt experience• Assume 5-10 acres will last “all year” or “ all
summer”– unfamiliar with Western SD stocking rates
So…why are Stocking Rates important?
Because: they are directly related to the Cost of
Feeding HorsesHigher stocking rates now= buy more hay later!
Stocking Rate Review:
= The amount of land allocated to a grazing animal for a specific length of time
• 1 cow/calf pair = 1 AU• 1 adult horse = 1.25 AU– Due to horses’ grazing behavior
(trampling, constantly grazing)
• Stocking rates vary drastically:o Region to region
o Many new acreage owners come from areas of greater rain fall
o MN/eastern SD: 1 horse/ 0.8-1 acre /montho Western SD: 1 horse /2.5-4 acres/ month
o (3.5x more acres needed!)
o Year to year
Stocking Rate Review
New Acreage Owners Often:• Don’t realize they have over-stocked until excessive
damage has occurred
Overgrazed Properties: Why do we care?
•Less grass=more runoff=more mud
•Invasion of weedy species
•Erosion, weed infestation and
manure runoff affect other
properties downstream and
downwind
•Less snow/moisture is retained
•Unattractive
• Potential lower property value
(neighboring properties also)
Prevention of Over-stocking is KEY..and cheaper in the long run!
Prevention:• Informed Real Estate Agents = Informed new
Acreage owners• Upfront knowledge of year-round costs of horse
ownership– Hay purchases (especially during drought years)– Fencing– Weed Control
• Team effort by us: Real Estate Agents SDSU Extension, NRCS, County Weed & Pest,
Conservation Districts + more
Review: Growing / Grazing Season
• Usually May-September in SDCool (May-June, Sept.) Warm (July-August)
What About After Grazing Season?• Horses/livestock should be removed from pastures once ½
of total annual forage production is removed …
How can you accurately estimate annual production?
What About After Grazing Season?• … and placed in a Sacrifice Paddock
Paddocks are prone to mud and weeds, so think about location/drainage before building
6+ months on average (Nov-April)
How Much Hay Do they Need?
• Depends on hay quality and horse’s activity level• Hay Quality:– Protein/Energy, etc.
• Activity Level:– Leisure– Performing/Lactating
How Much Hay Do they Need?• Usually 2-2.5 % body weight per day (dry
matter-DM)• 1000# horse will consume ~25# of hay per
day (DM)• MONITOR horses for rib fat
o should be able to see last 1-2 ribs
What is Hay Going to Cost?• Depends on many factors:– Size/type of bale– Unit cost (per bale or per ton)– Quality– Volume– Where purchased
Bale Size• Small squares vary locally; 2012
prices:– $3 to $8/bale ($100-$250/ton)– $11-$16 in Texas (>$500/ton)
• Large Rounds=$60-120/ton– Delivery is usually required (~30/Ton
more)– Need a tractor to handle
Small Square Bales1 adult Quarter Horse consumes about 900# of hay per month (45% of a ton):
o 900#/50 # square bale = 18 bales/month$54 /horse/month @ $3/bale
$144 /horse/month @ $8/bale$600/horse on average / 6 months
$1200/horse/year
Large Rounds
• Round bales are currently $60 - $120/ton (does not include shipping) o Alfalfa costs more than grasso Horse eats about ½ a ton per month
$30-60/horse per month $270/horse/6 months $540/horse/year
Where to Purchase Hay
• Neighbors/ranchers• Feed Cooperatives (highest prices)• Check newspapers
Reduce Hay Costs By: • Purchase hay in large volumes for discounts• Maximizing forage production
– Acreage owners should not begin grazing until most grasses have 3-4 leaves in the spring
– Rotational Grazing• Makes horses graze less desirables
• Extending Grazing Season Take Half, Leave Half Graze 50-75% of time if possible
horses will eat and trample out of boredom
Considerations When Purchasing Hay:
• Quality of Hay for horses ( important consideration)Most horses get by on quality grass haymold blister beetles (lethal)
• Refer to SDSU Extension
Considerations When Purchasing Hay:
• Small acreage owners:– Equipment to handle hay– Time– Waste (more with round bales)– Financial
Quiz Time!
Question :• You are listing a 5 acre property in the Black Hills. A
couple with 2 adult quarter horses asks you how long it “will last their horses”. The suggested stocking rate for the area is 3 acres/AUM (.33 AUM’S/ac). What do you tell them ?
1 horse = 1.25 AUM’s; 2 quarter horses= 2.5 AUM’s
2.5 AUM’s * 3 acres/AUM=7.5 acres needed/month
5 acres available ÷ 7.5 needed = .67 month (almost 3 weeks)
1.5 months if graze 50% of the time
Will need to feed hay the rest of the year (approx. 10-11 months)
Take Home Pointers
• Acreage owners need to understand their pasture
limitations & plan for hay expenses
• Maximize existing pasture to minimize hay purchases
o Sacrifice pen, rotational grazing
• Purchase hay in large quantities if possible
• Work with neighbors