Thanks for the kind replies. Grass fed is interesting to me, and I know I have many questions. We formerly used only grass, grazing year round, with some supplemental feed for weaned calves on pasture in winter till they could go to green grass to be sold as yearlings (since 1958, as that is the year the last of the two, three, and four year old steers were sold off this ranch).
Now, we still graze the cows all winter unless the grass is covered too deep, more accurately, with snow that is packed too hard by the wind for them to uncover, and some supplement usually in form of 32% +/- depending on market of cake. Calves no go into our feedlot after fenceline weaning and are sorted into various pens and fed a ration of ground hay, distillers grain and minerals designed so they gain specific amounts per day depending on if they are the heaviest calves which we want to sell to feedlot early next year, hiefers on growing ration, or smaller steers to go on gras next summer to sell as yearlings. We started this as a means to spread our income over the year and have advantage of various type markets.
We did winter cows on an appropriate ration in the feedlot a couple of winters in severe drought just to hold together a basic cowherd. They were in excellent condition, but sure were dissatisfied with feedlot life! But it did give us breathing room through that long drought and we felt it was cheaper than moving them out, or selling and buying back when drought ended.
Wintering calves in our lot wouldn't be continued if it wasn't working fairly well, but we always think we could improve.
What about native pastures for grass fed calves? We do not like to plow. The land is just too fragile in our climate and terrain, and much of it actually could not be tilled. Well, it could, but that would be insanity, besides ruining our winter brush shelter!
I've wondered if something could be broadcast to improve the grazing qualities of our varied native grasses. We do get great grazing with even fair rains, but too much 'junk' grows, such as cheat grass and state introduced brome grass, which is endangering some of the native grasses we had in abundance. I'm intrigued with this falcata alfalfa and would sure like to find some seed........and get the 'boys' to experiment with a little of that, or something an improved variety of native grasses.
Thanks for your patience.
mrj
Now, we still graze the cows all winter unless the grass is covered too deep, more accurately, with snow that is packed too hard by the wind for them to uncover, and some supplement usually in form of 32% +/- depending on market of cake. Calves no go into our feedlot after fenceline weaning and are sorted into various pens and fed a ration of ground hay, distillers grain and minerals designed so they gain specific amounts per day depending on if they are the heaviest calves which we want to sell to feedlot early next year, hiefers on growing ration, or smaller steers to go on gras next summer to sell as yearlings. We started this as a means to spread our income over the year and have advantage of various type markets.
We did winter cows on an appropriate ration in the feedlot a couple of winters in severe drought just to hold together a basic cowherd. They were in excellent condition, but sure were dissatisfied with feedlot life! But it did give us breathing room through that long drought and we felt it was cheaper than moving them out, or selling and buying back when drought ended.
Wintering calves in our lot wouldn't be continued if it wasn't working fairly well, but we always think we could improve.
What about native pastures for grass fed calves? We do not like to plow. The land is just too fragile in our climate and terrain, and much of it actually could not be tilled. Well, it could, but that would be insanity, besides ruining our winter brush shelter!
I've wondered if something could be broadcast to improve the grazing qualities of our varied native grasses. We do get great grazing with even fair rains, but too much 'junk' grows, such as cheat grass and state introduced brome grass, which is endangering some of the native grasses we had in abundance. I'm intrigued with this falcata alfalfa and would sure like to find some seed........and get the 'boys' to experiment with a little of that, or something an improved variety of native grasses.
Thanks for your patience.
mrj