A:   Corn will be substituted for some of the hay, but it will not be on 1:1 basis. In Nebraska when we have experienced drought, some producers have switched cows to a mostly grain diet with some forage because hay was scarce and high priced. In most of these situations, the calf was weaned. Cows were fed 10 to 12 lb/hd/da whole corn (I would not grind the corn) and 6 to 8 lb/hd/da low to medium quality forage with salt and mineral. If cows weigh 1200 lb, they can eat more than this, but for dry cows will be close to meeting their requirements. You may need to add some soybean meal, but that will depend on the quality of the hay.You will need about 30 to 36 inches of bunk space per cow. You need to manage this feeding program carefully or you can founder cows. You may need to separate young cows from the older cows so the young cows don't get pushed away.

If you go to our website http//:beef.unl.edu and in the search box type in drought, you will get all our information on managing cows in drought conditions. There will also be ration ideas. Hay rings will reduce forage losses, especially if the hay ring has a bottom skirt arount it. Again, go to the website and type hay losses or type in forage losses, there is some data about forage feeding losses and use of hay rings.