Cattle hay that does the work, round bales, large squares, lucerne supplements.
Cattle producers care about kilos of dry matter per dollar, and rightly so. We bale hay built for paddock feeding: dense rounds that survive a wet winter, large squares that take a forklift, and lucerne supplements that turn a maintenance ration into a finishing ration without the price of pellets.
The right hay for cattle, matched to the job.
Each variety has a use, here's how we match hay to the cattle you're feeding.
Oaten
View →The workhorse maintenance hay for dry cattle and beef on grass. Round bales of oaten feed ten head for two-to-three days. Best per-kilo cost when bought as 8x4x3 large squares.
Lucerne
View →Add lucerne to the ration for lactating dairy, finishing beef, weaners, and any class that needs protein. A single round of lucerne mixed into a paddock feeder of oaten lifts the whole ration.
Pasture
View →Mixed-species pasture hay is the cheapest reliable maintenance feed. Good for dry cows, store steers and any class on a basic ration.
Wheaten
View →Bulk maintenance hay at the lowest price point. Pair with a protein lick to make a complete dry-cow ration.
Feeding notes, cattle.
How much hay does a beef cow eat?
A 600kg beef cow eats about 12–15kg of hay per day on full hay (no grass). For a herd of 50 head on full hay, that's 600–750kg per day, roughly two round bales or one large square. Add 15–20% for wastage if you're not using a ring feeder.
Round bales vs large squares for cattle
Round bales win on ease of paddock feeding, drop one in a feeder and walk away. Large squares win on per-kilo cost (25–30% cheaper) and density (less wastage in transport). If you've got a tractor and a forklift attachment, large squares are the cheaper option. If you don't, rounds win.
Lucerne supplementation
Adding lucerne to a base oaten or pasture ration changes the economics, cattle on lucerne supplements gain 20–30% faster than on grass hay alone. The cheapest way to do this is alternating round bales: one round of lucerne in the feeder this week, one of oaten next week.
Wastage and feeders
Without a ring feeder, you'll lose 30–40% of a round bale to trampling and fouling. A good cone or ring feeder pays for itself inside two seasons. We can recommend feeder suppliers if you ask.
Need hay this week?
Call Paul direct, the phone's answered 24/7 for current stock and availability, and we can usually deliver within the week.