loomixguy
Well-known member
http://www.cattlenetwork.com/Cow_Calf_Content.asp?ContentID=265013
Something to Think About...
- Thread starter loomixguy
- Start date
PureCountry
Well-known member
This guy brings up a good point that we need to be mindful of cow nutrition this time of year, and not take for granted that they have everything they need. Once grass stops growing and goes dormant, it is void of vitamins. It holds it's nutrients to widely varying degrees, based upon soil health, conditions and species of forage, but it has no ability to produce vitamins when growth has ceased. That's why we mix Vit AD and Vit E into our loose mineral mix this time of year.
I would also like to say that this guy leans a little too far one way for my liking. He walks a fine line between bringing up a good point, and painting a general stereotype. With the "Low-Cost Cowherd" label being stuck on more and more headlines and publications, it seems that a correlating number of "specialists" seem to want to voice their opinions on this somehow dangerous practice of making cows "survive". They need to remember that because someone has taken away the feed pail, does not mean that they are mindless to the nutritional requirements of their stock.
We are trying to get to a point where we feed no hay, but in doing so, we realize that not all cows are created equal and some cannot "survive" such conditions. Those that are thin right now, are already on feed. They're old crocks and cripples. First calvers that start to drop weight in the coming months will be sorted into this group as well, we may even be so humane as to wean their calves and give them the rest of the winter off. Those that can "survive" the winter maintaining their current BCS while lactating and nursing their baby, will receive a coupon for a free 12-month stay at Pure Country Stock Farm. All others will have the next 12 months to prove their worth, or be sold, in hopes that they might find a more humane, loving, caring owner with bigger feedstacks, and fatter wallets.
I would also like to say that this guy leans a little too far one way for my liking. He walks a fine line between bringing up a good point, and painting a general stereotype. With the "Low-Cost Cowherd" label being stuck on more and more headlines and publications, it seems that a correlating number of "specialists" seem to want to voice their opinions on this somehow dangerous practice of making cows "survive". They need to remember that because someone has taken away the feed pail, does not mean that they are mindless to the nutritional requirements of their stock.
We are trying to get to a point where we feed no hay, but in doing so, we realize that not all cows are created equal and some cannot "survive" such conditions. Those that are thin right now, are already on feed. They're old crocks and cripples. First calvers that start to drop weight in the coming months will be sorted into this group as well, we may even be so humane as to wean their calves and give them the rest of the winter off. Those that can "survive" the winter maintaining their current BCS while lactating and nursing their baby, will receive a coupon for a free 12-month stay at Pure Country Stock Farm. All others will have the next 12 months to prove their worth, or be sold, in hopes that they might find a more humane, loving, caring owner with bigger feedstacks, and fatter wallets.
