As drought dries up traditional feed sources this year, producers are
being forced to look not only for feed alternatives but also winter
bedding.
Short, scant crops mean the little straw left over after combining will
be salvaged to feed animals.
John McKinnon of the University of Saskatchewan’s animal sciences
department says most calls received from producers concern winter feed
extenders to augment marginal forage supplies, but thoughts will next
turn to bedding.
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Options include wood sawdust, shavings and chips, and waste paper, but
McKinnon said wood products have a downside.
“They don’t break down that well in the soil and don’t absorb quite as
good as straw.”
But Monte Christenson of Sunpine Forest Products in Sundre, Alta., said
the upside is that wood bedding keeps animals drier than traditional
straw.
The company sells a wood fibre product for $15 to $30 per tonne that it
says keeps animals cleaner, drier and healthier.
Sunpine sold out of it two weeks ago and does not expect more until
spring, Christenson said.
He suggested that producers seeking waste wood should check websites
for forest product companies in their province.
“There’s a lot of fibre out there suitable for bedding, but they can’t
get to it,” said Christenson, who hopes to set up a depot this fall
where producers can pick up wood chips.
He said barley straw now costs $80 to $100 per tonne and wood fibre can
be picked up for approximately $20 per tonne.
“Once you’re over $27 per tonne for wood, it’s not feasible,”
Christenson said.
In addition to wood, an Alberta Agriculture website on strawless
bedding options lists fresh, clean snow combined with portable
shelters. Peat moss, used in the horse industry, is another alternative
for those living on or near peat land.
Visit www.producer.com for more information on bedding options.
