By Charles Cheyney, Extension Educator
The agricultural economy is kind of crazy. Wheat and corn are sky-high and growers are plowing out forage and pasture crops to plant these cereals, driving up the price of hay and pasture. Some cow-calf operators who grow alfalfa hay have been seduced by the high alfalfa prices and are now trying to figure out how and what to feed their cows. And while, cow calf operators are receiving some of the highest prices for their calves that they can remember, they are still having some trouble making ends meet. Why? Because of winter feeding costs, which can make up as much as 50% of the cost of production of a calf. It is all about ENERGY. Energy for fuel. Energy for human food, and energy for livestock feed. So what is a cowboy to do?
