tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post6594088357804591198..comments2024-03-28T05:59:04.687-07:00Comments on Rural Revolution: Hay questionPatrice Lewishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06012022335047974670noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-67588276266895805332018-11-25T11:14:47.346-08:002018-11-25T11:14:47.346-08:00Thanks for every other magnificent post. Where el...Thanks for every other magnificent post. Where else may <br />just anybody get that kind of info in such an ideal method of writing?<br />I have a presentation subsequent week, and I'm at the search for <br />such info.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-11253077072856568412018-09-12T20:07:41.831-07:002018-09-12T20:07:41.831-07:00casinos online
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online casino re...casinos online<br />best online casino<br />online casino real money<br />casino online<br />casino games real moneyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-39996932094110522792014-08-21T04:37:04.834-07:002014-08-21T04:37:04.834-07:001.5 acre isn't enough for a dairy goat, much l...1.5 acre isn't enough for a dairy goat, much less a full sized bovine. <br /><br />Not a bovine you expect to get milk or meat from. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-4952164273851557152014-08-20T08:30:28.609-07:002014-08-20T08:30:28.609-07:00We do a little of both for our Jersey cow, Betsy. ...We do a little of both for our Jersey cow, Betsy. Since we sharemilk(we let the calf have free access to Betsy from 5am to about 4pm every day) with Betsy's calf(Rose), we don't get lots of milk, but we have enough for us, in-laws, out-laws, and trade 3-4 gallons each week. However, we don't have enough to start making cheese, but trading some each week offsets the cost of hay.<br /><br />At milking time, Betsy gets 2 flakes of alfalfa hay + 1 coffee can of fermented (half oats/half sweetfeed). In the evening, she gets 1 or 2 flakes of bermuda/koisha hay. The rest of the day Betsy, her calf, and a horse share a 2 acre pasture.<br /><br />We have tried both straight grass/hay diet, and a diet with grain. There is a noticable drop in milk production when doing grassfed. We added the grain to her diet because we weren't getting enough milk without it.<br /><br />BTW, economics is not a reason to get a dairy cow. If you value sleeping in, vacations, weekend getaways, or time, don't get one. If you value your family's health above the other things mentioned, then you MAY be ready for a dairy cow. Even the big dairy's cant make a profit selling milk at todays prices(think govt subsidy).<br /><br />So, long answer short, it depends. Are you going to keep the calves? Are you going to sharemilk or bottle feed? How much milk do you need? What kind and how much pasture is available? Can you afford or bale enough hay yourself to get you through the winter? There's a lot of variables to consider.<br /><br />Cheers,<br />CBCBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18441082544900346431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-18025513604524784472014-08-20T08:19:06.130-07:002014-08-20T08:19:06.130-07:00Cows that only eat grass give meat that tastes lik...Cows that only eat grass give meat that tastes like grass. Definitely need a bit of grain every day.Staceyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09570071928815481162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-32430953930740714932014-08-19T20:18:12.287-07:002014-08-19T20:18:12.287-07:00Ok, getting feet slightly damp Patrice, what if I ...Ok, getting feet slightly damp Patrice, what if I had one jersey cow just for milk? If you only had Matilda, would you do grain and grass?<br />Kelly in K'ville, NCGiGi Cravenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14493659156971939923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-88413075897281483792014-08-19T18:16:12.248-07:002014-08-19T18:16:12.248-07:00I think you answered your own problem. Harsh wint...I think you answered your own problem. Harsh winters. That tells me that grass hay will not give the cattle enough feed to stay healthy and growing. A pan of grain will not break the bank.<br /><br />Damon LockeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-21549380232732174302014-08-19T15:38:31.541-07:002014-08-19T15:38:31.541-07:00We only fed grain to put on extra fat during the l...We only fed grain to put on extra fat during the last couple of months before slaughter. I think it tastes much better than 100% grass fed, but it is purely a personal preference. They definitely didn't NEED it.Katenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-78586385713704300392014-08-19T14:56:43.348-07:002014-08-19T14:56:43.348-07:00So how much pasture would be required for one aver...So how much pasture would be required for one average milch cow? Don't have room for a whole herd, but would like some milk and cheese on a regular basis.Crustyrustyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09478587825608882510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-86922435583837641742014-08-19T10:36:44.537-07:002014-08-19T10:36:44.537-07:00The only way to know if your forage or "grass...The only way to know if your forage or "grass hay" is good quality is to take a sample and get it to tested. Just because your field does not look like "garbage" or is pretty and green and everything is growing nicely or whatever means NOTHING. Send your forage to get tested so you know how much protein etc. you are actually feeding your cattle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-81666455175504171772014-08-19T09:54:30.107-07:002014-08-19T09:54:30.107-07:00Oats.. grain.. is very good to feed in the cold of...Oats.. grain.. is very good to feed in the cold of winter (-15). It helps them convert the hay better and stay warm.<br />Rancher from Canada.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-20045720025697179432014-08-19T09:42:53.293-07:002014-08-19T09:42:53.293-07:00Your dad is right to an extent. Young steers will...Your dad is right to an extent. Young steers will gain weight over the winter (ours do) since they're still growing, but they won't gain AS MUCH weight, nor gain it AS FAST, as if they were being fed grain. So it depends on what you want. A natural diet of grass hay results in slower growth and cattle that aren't as fat. But you're not a commercial enterprise and don't have to "hurry" your steers as much as the commercial growers need to do, so you can be more vigilant about an organic lifestyle.<br /><br />Yes, brome is an excellent grass hay. They'll do great on it.<br /><br />- PatricePatrice Lewishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06012022335047974670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5526768924178592295.post-82524377337118065222014-08-19T09:35:46.078-07:002014-08-19T09:35:46.078-07:00Thanks for the reply, Patrice! I truly appreciate ...Thanks for the reply, Patrice! I truly appreciate it!<br /><br />To give you a full picture of my situation: my dad is a vet and also an official with the USDA, so you can imagine some of the opinions that he might have. My husband and I manage our homestead as organically as possible We are providing the infrastructure and day to day care of our not-yet-purchased pair of steers; my parents are providing the hay and the veterinary care. We are splitting costs and the meat 50/50. The hay is brome and it is high quality stuff. My dad is very particular and cuts it when the protein is at its highest point. <br /><br />My dad's concern was that the steers wouldn't gain weight over our harsh winter unless they also were fed grain. He said they might just maintain their weight on an all hay diet. I will share what you said and see if I can persuade him my way. It is hard being a complete newbie to large livestock butting up against the voice of experience.The Harried Homemakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16040000001377493416noreply@blogger.com