A:   1) How much hay (in square bales or large round bales) does a 500 lb heifer eat per day?

She will eat 2.0 to 2.2 percent of her body weight of a high quality forage when the feed is 100% dry matter. So if the hay is 90 dry matter and 10% moisture (500 x .022 = 11 lb of forage on a dry basis, then 11 lb / .90 = 12.2 lb of forage consumed on an "as fed" basis).

2) How much does the average bermuda hay square bale weigh?

Depends on the type of baler used. Range would be 50 to 70 pounds per small square bale.

3) How much does the average large round bale weigh?

Depends of the type of baler. Range would be 1200 to 2000 pounds.

4) What is the acreage ratio of cows to acres for forage to be sufficent for them to eat? I have 4 - 500 lb heifers.

Depends on the grasses in the pasture. Are they a combination of cool- and warm - season grasses or are the pastures strictly cool and warm season grasses. Are the pastures irrigated or not. Check with your closest extension educator and they will have these answers.

5) How much hay should I give them to meet their daily needs?

Depends on how fast you want them to grow. Heifers that are being developed for breeding need to gain 1.25 to 1.75 lb per day to reach puberty by 12 to 14 months of age and this is breed dependent. So during the non-grazing season, 3 to 4 lb per head per day of grain, maybe a pound per head per day of protein supplement depending on the quality of hay and that would leave 8 or so lb per head per day of hay. As the heifers get bigger, leave the grain constant, and increase the amount of hay. If the hay is good quality, they should gain at least 1.5 lb per day. If you want them to gain faster, increase the grain, but be careful that you don't make replacement heifers fat. During the grazing season, pasture, salt, mineral and vitamin should work well. Your extension person can help you with rations also, contact them.