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From: Anibal Pordomingo
Category: Cattle
Date: 15 Mar 2007
Time: 14:09:02 -0800
The combination is OK. I'd suggest you keep an estimate (or measure) of supply (on a dry matter basis if possible) to estimate dry matter intake. If that number stays high - 3 % of body weight on dry matter basis (or greater), the gains will be good. For this calculation you will need a measure of bale wieghts and DM content. If you sample the balage and the hay, you need to find a lab to determine dry matter content (or you can do it your self in a microwave - make sure you do not burn it in a microwave). With bale weight and dry matter content you can calculate dry matter supply. If waste is high, then you have to have an estimate of wastage before calculatind final dry matter actually eaten. Thi is important. Balage or hay waste con be large (15 to 30%) and than can distort your estimates.