December 6, 2016 • Page 7 by SDSU iGrow BROOKINGS, S.D. - According to U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, over the last decade hay production has decreased 11 percent while at the same time, hay prices have concurrently increased 77 percent. "With the markets where they are, livestock producers cannot afford to let any hay go to waste," said Taylor Grussing, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist. "Depending on which form hay bales are delivered, the amount of waste will vary." Selecting the right design for their hay feeder can help South Dakota livestock producers cut down on waste according to research conducted at the University of Missouri Agriculture Experiment Station. Researchers analyzed the effect of bale feeder design on hay waste. The three bale feeders evaluated included an open bale feeder, a tapered bale feeder with sheeting on lower section, and a cone bale feeder with sheeting on the lower and upper sections. Two different types of hay: alfalfa haylage bales, and fescue hay bales, were also utilized to evaluate interaction of bale feeders and forage. All bales were placed into bale feeders horizontally and cows utilized in the study were accustomed to bale feeders and forage types prior to study initiation. Bale feeder study results Researchers found that for fescue hay bales, cone feeders resulted in the least waste with only about 8.9 percent; tapered feeders showed 13.6 percent waste, and open feeders resulted in the most waste at 19.2 percent. "These results agreed with previous research by other authors where cone bale feeders reduced waste of dry grass bales. However, alfalfa haylage waste was not affected by feeder design," said Grussing. Stocking density impacts waste The study also showed that stocking density and size of bales can play a key role in forage waste. "Greater stocking density will increase competition around bale feeders and reduce the time cows spend entering and exiting the feeder, potentially decreasing waste," Grussing said. She added that bale size may have been one reason there was less waste with alfalfa haylage than fescue hay. "The smaller-sized alfalfa haylage bales, provided cows more feeding space in bale feeders, and reduced ng the We rf b? Feeder Design Reduces Hay Waste Su shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Surf on over to www.missourivalleyshopper.com MV Shopper MV Shopper M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y In Print and Online! Call 665-5884 Courtesy of iGrow. Open bale feeder M I S S O U R I VA L L E Y the entrance/exit frequency and waste opportunities," Grussing said. Overall, cone bale feeders resulted in 35 percent less waste than tapered bale feeders. Tapered bale feeders with lower section sheeting resulted in 29 percent less waste compared to open bale feeders with no lower section sheeting. Cow/calf producers can prepare for winter feeding by taking a look at the type of bale feeders on hand. Do bale feeders have sheeting on the lower section? If not, can some kind of sheeting (metal or plastic) be added to help decrease waste this winter? Are enough bale feeders available for the cowherd size or do more need to be purchased? "Regardless of its design, AUCTIONS feeding in any type of bale feeder is better than feeding directly on the ground which greatly increases waste and thus pounds of feed required per day to meet nutritional requirements," Grussing said. "Expenses can add up quickly with forage waste and extra pounds of hay are needed to meet requirements." Grussing shared the example. Assuming the forage is $80 per ton; as little as 1 pound of waste per cow per day accumulated over a four-month winter feeding period, can add at a minimum an extra $5 to the cow's winter feed bill. "And this expense will continue to increase with tapered and open bale feeders as more waste is expected," Grussing said. For more information on cow/calf winter feeding plans, contact an SDSU Extension Beef Specialist or SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist. A complete listing can be found at iGrow. fcsamerica.com THERE’S A REASON REAL ESTATE BUYERS LAND WITH US. When you ?nance farmland with us, you aren’t just another customer – you are a customer-owner. So along with our attractive rates and exceptional terms, you get a voice in how we work and a share of what we earn in the form of cash-back dividends. Call us to learn more. YANKTON OFFICE: 605-665-9675 OR 800-658-3631 Please Recycle 247 Acres of Clay County, SD Land plus a 17-Acre Acreage Sold in 5 tracts in 3 Townships (Fairview- Bethel – Meckling) Thursday, December 15th • 9:30 AM Auction will be sold at the Wakonda Legion Hall, Wakonda, SD MOUNT MARTY COLLEGE, INCORPORATED, OWNERS FARM #1—45 +/- Acres: The NW1/4 SW1/4 except Lot H-3 and point of E1/2 SW1/4 SW1/4 lying North of Lot FM1 in Sec 15-92-51, Clay County, SD. 44.94 +/- acres Taxes are $1,475.08. This tract of land is located 1 1/2 miles East of Vermillion, SD on SD Highway 50 to the Greenfield Road on the South side. Clay County FSA Office shows 44.4 acres of cropland. Soil types include: TwA 0 to 2% slope with a rating of 94 and Wc 0 to 2% slope with a rating of 86. This property is all tillable and is being sold subject to the 2017 lease of $10,680 or $240 per acre; all due on March 1, 2017. Buyer will receive payment from the renter. Full possession on March 1, 2018. This is a very nice tract of land with a great location along Highway 50 just minutes from Vermillion. FARM #2—42 +/- Acres: West 1/2 Lots 1 & 2 NW1/4 except Madsen Addition and except Evans Tract 1 in Sec 1-93-53 Clay County, SD. The correct legal to be determined by survey. This parcel shows approximately 42.09 acres with 41.28 tillable. The predominant soil type is EaA 0 to 3% slope with a rating of 84. This property is being sold subject to the 2017 lease of 60/40 with buyer to pay 40% of herbicide and fertilizer. Renter will pay 100% of seed. Full possession on March 1, 2018. FARM #3—84 +/- Acres: The W1/2 SW1/4 except Madsen Addition plus Evans Tract #1 (approximately 6.84 acres) in Sec 1-93-53, Clay County, SD. This is approximately a total of 84.53 acres. The acres are subject to survey. This is located 4 miles North of Meckling, SD on 457th Avenue or the corner of 457th Ave and Bluff Road. Predominant soil types: Ja and DcB 0 to 2% slope. The Clay County FSA Office shows approximately 78.48 acres tillable. This tract is being sold subject to a 60/40 lease for the 2017 crop year. Full possession on March 1, 2018. FARM #4—75 +/- Acres: The S1/2 NW1/4 except Parcel A in Sec 36-94-53, Clay County, SD. 74.98 taxable acres. Taxes are $585.30. This is located 5 ½-miles North of Meckling, SD on 457th Ave or ½-mile North of intersection of 457th Ave and the Bluff Road. Predominant soil types: ErD and EgB. This is a rolling tract of land now into alfalfa. This property is being sold subject to the 2017 lease of $2,450 per year with half payable March 1 and 2nd half on October 1st. Full possession on March 1, 2018. FARM #5—17 Acre Acreage: Lots B & C of W1/2 NW1/4 in Sec 25-93-53, Clay County, SD. 17.37 taxable acres. Taxes are $628.46. Located 1 mile North of Meckling, SD on 457th Avenue. This acreage has 10.93 acres of row crop with a predominant soil type of Bf with a rating of 86. The building site is located on a good hard surfaced County Road. This property has a great location only minutes outside of Vermillion. Acreage is hooked to rural water and electric. There are 2 steel sheds built in 2011 and 2015 (30x30 and 12x24). There are older out buildings, grain bin and mobile home. Building site has new, 4- wire barbed fence all around with wood posts put in by Jim River Fencing. Ag land is sold subject to 2017 lease of 60/40 with full possession on March 1, 2018. Building site possession will be given on closing. If you are looking for a place to build a new home and have plenty of room for fun, be sure to check this out. TERMS ON ALL FARMS: 10% nonrefundable down payment due day of auction with balance on closing. Title insurance and closing costs will be split 50/50 between buyer and seller. Seller will pay the 2016 taxes due in 2017. Clay County Abstract & Title Co is the closing agent. Craig Thompson, attorney for the Estate. Auctioneers are acting as agents for the seller. Statements made day of auction take precedence over written material. Order of the auction will be determined on auction day, be on time! Call for a free, property information packet including maps or see www.GirardAuction.com for more info. WAYNE EVANS ESTATE - Owner Donna Gregory and Kathy Marmet – Co- Personal Representatives Girard Auction & Land Brokers, Inc. (605) 267-2421 Toll Free: 1-866-531-6186 www.GirardAuction.com Marv Girard, BA; Ken Girard, CAI, AARE; Mike Girard, CAI, BA; Scott Moore, Auctioneer