randiliana
Well-known member
Here is the grazing where our cattle will be for the next 6 weeks or so.
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The Next 6 Weeks
- Thread starter randiliana
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per
Well-known member
It just occurred to me that folks must look at us residue and winter grazers as nuts. It takes some faith and planning to know that what is under that blanket is exactly what the Bovine ordered. :shock:
Big Swede
Well-known member
Where's the protection? I'd be scared to put anything out there without a tree grove or something to cut the wind. Or doesn't the wind blow up there. :wink:
gcreekrch
Well-known member
While I am aware of the value of what is under the snow there, I don't think I could handle the miles of nothingness in your area Randi.
I will echo Big Swede, is there anywhere for them to find shelter or will you move portable windbreaks to the field.
I will echo Big Swede, is there anywhere for them to find shelter or will you move portable windbreaks to the field.
BlackCattleRancher
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- Joined
- Nov 5, 2007
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per said:
I don't get where the feed value in small grains residue is. I would think it would be about the same as feeding straw. Obviously I'm missing something, where is the energy and protein coming from?
Cedarcreek
Well-known member
per said:
Winter grazing is an excellent way to winter cattle. Around this area a lot of cattle are grazed all winter if the snow doesn't get a hard crust of ice on it. They are forecasting freezing rain for tomorrow, if it does it could be the end of grazing for awhile since most of the grass is snow covered. That record hay crop last summer isn't looking so big now.
gcreekrch
Well-known member
Cedarcreek said:per said:
Winter grazing is an excellent way to winter cattle. Around this area a lot of cattle are grazed all winter if the snow doesn't get a hard crust of ice on it. They are forecasting freezing rain for tomorrow, if it does it could be the end of grazing for awhile since most of the grass is snow covered. That record hay crop last summer isn't looking so big now.
The Harper Ranch at Kamloops BC ran into that situation once Cedarcreek, a light finishing disc on a daily tour broke the crust up nicely until the sun took over.
burnt
Well-known member
gcreekrch said:Cedarcreek said:per said:
Winter grazing is an excellent way to winter cattle. Around this area a lot of cattle are grazed all winter if the snow doesn't get a hard crust of ice on it. They are forecasting freezing rain for tomorrow, if it does it could be the end of grazing for awhile since most of the grass is snow covered. That record hay crop last summer isn't looking so big now.
The Harper Ranch at Kamloops BC ran into that situation once Cedarcreek, a light finishing disc on a daily tour broke the crust up nicely until the sun took over.
I would need a lot bigger tractor to pull it in our 2' of snow. :?
A
Anonymous
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Cedarcreek said:per said:
Winter grazing is an excellent way to winter cattle. Around this area a lot of cattle are grazed all winter if the snow doesn't get a hard crust of ice on it. They are forecasting freezing rain for tomorrow, if it does it could be the end of grazing for awhile since most of the grass is snow covered. That record hay crop last summer isn't looking so big now.
Cedarcreek-- my neighbor just came back from Havre hockeying- and said there was freezing rain from Havre to Malta... I haven't been out in it for awhile as its been snowing here for since about noon --but my son said it turned to "snain" for awhile about dark..
I started feeding about 9 this morning- and the cows came out of every hole to go to eating- but about an hour later the wind really picked up-- and most ate for awhile- and came in for water--but by noon most had found a hole or windbreak to crawl back into- and I didn't see any out all afternoon....
Tomorrow is going to be a dig out day....See what things look like then...
Northern Rancher
Well-known member
I'm sure Randi knows what she's doing or she wouldn't be doing it.
the_jersey_lilly_2000
Well-known member
My cows would protest...I mean full fledged picketing with signs..."We want hay...we want hay" walkin in small circles etc. :wink:
Taking pictures of that scenery is almost like having film developed and it came back with nothing on it.
Taking pictures of that scenery is almost like having film developed and it came back with nothing on it.
Larrry
Well-known member
Randy doesn't have candy assed lazy cows, they work for a living :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink:
Big Muddy rancher
Well-known member
the_jersey_lilly_2000 said:
What do you mean. :?
In the first picture I'm sure you can see the North Devon Forest.
Cedarcreek
Well-known member
gcreekrch said:Cedarcreek said:per said:
Winter grazing is an excellent way to winter cattle. Around this area a lot of cattle are grazed all winter if the snow doesn't get a hard crust of ice on it. They are forecasting freezing rain for tomorrow, if it does it could be the end of grazing for awhile since most of the grass is snow covered. That record hay crop last summer isn't looking so big now.
The Harper Ranch at Kamloops BC ran into that situation once Cedarcreek, a light finishing disc on a daily tour broke the crust up nicely until the sun took over.
If the snow crusts this time of year it can March before it melts enough to go back to grazing. I don't think the BLM would think too much of the idea either. At least I have enough hay on hand if I do have to feed. As the old timers said "Hay in the stack is like money in the bank." If you get a tough winter if you don't have one your going to need the other.
gcreekrch
Well-known member
I didn't realize it was BLM land, if some govt. whiz kid happened tby while you were disturbing their snow it would likely turn into a National Crisis. :roll:
If my memory serves me right the Harper was dealing with about 6 inches of snow, a rain and then a hard freeze that lasted for a week or so.
I'm not sure if the ground was native grass or third crop on their hayfields but they did not have to start feeding. I would guess they were keeping the disc out of the ground as muck as possible and only did so much area per day.
Kamloops is kind of a banana belt but like anywhere can get the extremes.
If my memory serves me right the Harper was dealing with about 6 inches of snow, a rain and then a hard freeze that lasted for a week or so.
I'm not sure if the ground was native grass or third crop on their hayfields but they did not have to start feeding. I would guess they were keeping the disc out of the ground as muck as possible and only did so much area per day.
Kamloops is kind of a banana belt but like anywhere can get the extremes.
per
Well-known member
We don't know what is under that snow. Randi does. We have seen endless pictures of her cattle and they are always in good shape. Until we are told or shown otherwise we have to past facts to go on.Whitewing said:I gotta show these pics to my guys when they start whining there's no grass left in a given pasture.
-her cows are always in good shape and can't stay that way eating nothing but snow.
-the shelter could be behind her as she takes the picture or there could be a coulee not too far away. Remember that cows can walk and if the wind blows will head to the shelter.
-cows have fur lined leather coats and a big warm vat and if acclimatized can take some inclement weather.
What I am saying here is we can't assume that because we can't see the food and shelter in a few pictures that it isn't there.
per said:We don't know what is under that snow. Randi does. We have seen endless pictures of her cattle and they are always in good shape. Until we are told or shown otherwise we have to past facts to go on.Whitewing said:I gotta show these pics to my guys when they start whining there's no grass left in a given pasture.
-her cows are always in good shape and can't stay that way eating nothing but snow.
-the shelter could be behind her as she takes the picture or there could be a coulee not too far away. Remember that cows can walk and if the wind blows will head to the shelter.
-cows have fur lined leather coats and a big warm vat and if acclimatized can take some inclement weather.
What I am saying here is we can't assume that because we can't see the food and shelter in a few pictures that it isn't there.
all right I'll bite...what is under the snow to eat?
randiliana
Well-known member
OK, it isn't quite as bad as it looks :lol: . I think they should come off that field positively FAT!! They just have to do a little digging. It is oat swaths/windrows that they are eating. Never combined or baled....
As far as shelter, they will be getting some portable windbreaks. Once we remodify our portable feeder panels, which we aren't using this winter. There are a few pretty good dips they can get into, and if it gets really stormy before we can get the windbreaks out there, they are only 1/2 mile from home, and we can bring them there to weather the storm.
As far as shelter, they will be getting some portable windbreaks. Once we remodify our portable feeder panels, which we aren't using this winter. There are a few pretty good dips they can get into, and if it gets really stormy before we can get the windbreaks out there, they are only 1/2 mile from home, and we can bring them there to weather the storm.
the_jersey_lilly_2000
Well-known member
Ok I'm gonna ask a question......just cuz I don't get it. What's the point of swath grazing......??? Why not just leave the grass standin? Does it hold more nutrients if it's cut and left laying? Looks to me like...(and this is only because I'm ignorant to this type of feeding) that it would be a waste of time and fuel to cut it , if they will eat it standing.
