Table 2.
The economics of grazing stockpiled forage when compared with feeding hay over 3 yr of demonstration workshops (U.S. dollars per standard cow over the winter grazing season unless otherwise noted)
| Parameter | Grazing | Feeding hay |
|---|---|---|
| Winer grazing season, d | 63 | 63 |
| Standard cows present (545 kg) | 22.6 | 22.6 |
| Fall fertilizer including equipment and labor | $37.05 | — |
| Allocating forage, equipment and labor | $28.45 | — |
| Feeding hay including equipment and labor | $8.45 | $120.33 |
| Trace minerals | $2.94 | $2.94 |
| Energy/protein supplements including equipment and labor | $2.84 | $37.17 |
| Total cost | $79.73 | $160.44 |
| Total cost per standard cow per day | $1.26 | $2.54 |