Cattle Producers Reduce Hay Waste to Offset Drought Costs
North Dakota operators can improve margins by auditing forage inventories and storage methods during tight supply seasons.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Agriculture
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North Dakota State University Extension specialists are urging cattle producers to conduct precise forage inventories following the 2026 drought. Efficient stock management is critical to controlling operational expenses as winter feeding season begins.
Why it matters
Tight forage supplies driven by the 2026 drought make feed management a primary driver of operating margins. Reducing preventable waste directly lowers the cost of maintaining herds throughout the winter months.
Producers can save $25 per ton on $100 hay by cutting waste by 25%. Losses vary widely by storage method, ranging from 7% for indoor storage to 20% for outside stacks.
The players
North Dakota State University Extension
A land-grant university organization that provides agricultural research, testing, and operational guidance to farmers and ranchers.
The details
Operators should group hay by 48-hour harvest lots and calculate precise dry matter needs, typically estimated at 2.5% of animal body weight daily. Feed delivery mechanics drastically shift profitability, with bunk feeding limiting waste to 14% compared to 45% for ground-fed methods. Producers can verify dry matter content using moisture testers or microwave methods to ensure accurate nutritional budgeting.
Timeline
Drought conditions impacted forage production throughout 2026.
Cattle producers are managing feed supplies for the Winter 2026-2027 feeding period.
Market Landscape
This guidance follows the pattern of previous drought-response protocols established during the 2026 forage supply crisis. It shifts the focus from simple yield monitoring toward the active management of feed waste as a competitive survival strategy.
Operators should audit storage methods immediately to minimize the 45% waste seen with ground-feeding. Re-calculating winter feed requirements based on dry matter weight will allow for better capital allocation as supplies tighten.
The takeaway
Effective feed management during a drought relies on shifting from bulk storage to precise, measured delivery. Operators should prioritize indoor storage for their remaining inventory to keep dry matter loss under 7%.
Further reading
For more strategies on managing input costs, read the Agriculture section.
More information
Use the forage supply price calculator to determine potential cost savings for your herd.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BEEF Magazine.
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Is now a good time to invest in equipment to reduce winter forage waste?
