What To Feed Cattle

Alternatively, just because you have low-quality roughage doesn't mean you need to worry. Are any places near water troughs or feeders in danger of flooding? Here's to a safe and snug winter for your and your herd or flock.

In a pen, use a feeder or feed bunk, so cattle won't lie on or poop on the hay; otherwise, they'll waste it. However, older animals need more fiber. Adequate Fiber A ruminant is efficient at breaking down fiber, converting it into energy.

Cows bred this time of year will calve in the fall; those bred in the fall will calve this time next year. If you haven't done so already, have a breeding-soundness evaluation performed on your bull, suggests Tom Troxel, PhD, extension specialist, professor...

The hardy yak can survive at elevations of 20,000 feet, living on small tundra plants and lichens. Here you'll get to know some basics about the origins and wild relatives of cattle so you can watch your own herd for the family resemblance.

Courtesy Stacy S. Courtesy Lee B. Courtesy Gina Z. Courtesy Tony S. Courtesy Kimberly F. Readers show their appreciation for farm cows by sharing their favorite photos. Courtesy Amy S.

Courtesy @thurlow94/via Instagram Tags baby cows , calves , Lists Head over to our Facebook page through the month of April, where we'll be talking about all things baby livestock.

Senepol, Tuli and Bonsmara are other breeds with the potential for good crossbreeding. This breed type is very lean and doesn't yield tender meat, so crossbreeding is kept to a minimum, with just enough Brahman blood to boost the good traits of the herd's...

Step 7 Rachael Brugger Loosen the grip of the finger and thumb, and gently squeeze to release the milk. (There are different types of pre-milking disinfectants on the market, so make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for use.) Step 5 Rachael...

A reduced conception rate in your ewe flock may be a result of fall lambing due to the challenge of overcoming the hardwired reproductive physiology. White-faced sheep breeds, like Dorsets , can be difficult to breed in the spring for fall lambs because...

IStock/Thinkstock Rocky Mountain Oysters Here comes the part of waste not want not. In this particular context, they meant Rocky Mountain Oysters: cooked testicles . I know they didn't mean bivalve mollusks.

Get more cattle info on HobbyFarms.com: How to Select Beef Cattle 7 Heritage Cattle Breeds to Raise with Your Children Body Condition Scoring for Cattle How to Milk a Cow 6 Ways to Prepare Yourself and Your Cows for Calving Tags cattle , cows , pasture

A Simple Cattle Corral This easy-to-construct facility is for five to 10 cows. Straight sections are often easier to adjust than curved sections. Simple, efficient designs for sheep and goats utilize full- or half-circle round tubs.

We're talking economics here, and health and economics make poor partners. The rumen —the first station for grass, hay and browse—contains millions of beneficial bacteria and protozoa, which produce enzymes that combine with saliva to break down the...

A cow spends up to 6 hours a day eating and each drinks the equivalent to a bathtub-full of water a day. Nonprofit environmental group Food and Water Watch estimates that the largest factory farms in 2012 produced 369 million tons of manure—almost 13...

Top Florida Cracker Cattle During the late 1500s, Jesuit and Franciscan friars established a series of missions in north and north-central Florida; they maintained extensive herds of livestock, making them the first cattle ranches in North America.

Furthermore, she gives an oral nutritional drench to encourage appetite, nutrient absorption and energy. The complex issue of vaccinating newborn calves is explored in a peer-reviewed article called Does Your Vaccination Protocol Compromise Newborn Health?

Because I'm a beef cattle specialist, I'll be using the 9-point scale here. If cattle will be grazing brown and dormant forage, it's likely that the nutrient content will not be adequate to maintain body condition and they'll require supplementation.

You'll learn to care for the land first, and the cattle will follow. The growing market for grassfed, pasture-raised meats, the appeal of producing food by feeding meat animals from your land and the health benefits of grassfed meat are compelling reasons...

Trained cattle are less reactive than many horses; it's generally safe to loop the reins, hunker back and enjoy their leisurely pace. Here are the barest basics to consider. Buy a Better Bovine Many first-time buyers choose a calf, and this is a logical...

This month we look at cattle. So, how do we treat milk fever? When a cow during pregnancy nears calving she typically acts somewhat agitated and might separate herself from the rest of the herd.

Birth, nutrition, and various transitions such as weaning are part of raising the best calves possible. Sometimes, it only took one such session, and the pair would bond. At the Jensens' ranch, they use an electric iron.

A calf that is too cold to get up and nurse will die. Most mama cows will do their best to keep their offspring safe and well, but ultimately, the task of ensuring a successful calving season falls to their human caregivers.

BCS Mistake No. 2. “Late in the growing season, forage that has not been previously harvested, either by the cow or mechanical means, will decrease in quality. It's important to make any changes gradually, as problems can occur if a cow gains or loses...

Every dairy breed has a different milk composition and average production volume. Breeding To keep your cow milking, it needs to calve every year. Produce fresh milk for home use and dairy projects by introducing a dairy cow to your farm.

Maybe a cow—something small, nothing crazy—actually can enjoy a place on the small farm. A confusing second term—Belmont—sometimes gets tossed into the mix; this name refers to a 75/25 mix, with either breed contributing the genetic bulk.

Subtract another couple hours from the afternoon milking, moving it earlier in the day. The other benefit was freeing up morning chore time on the days we work.” Besides obvious savings in time and energy, once-a-day milking lowers feed costs because...

A brand new legion of hobby farmers are rallying behind miniature cattle. Cattle were smaller, compact and kind. Gourmet markets and upscale restaurants clamor for lean and luscious, grass-fed mini steaks and roasts.