Post by thystledown on Sept 5, 2022 15:04:33 GMT -5
My head is spinning from researching this. I read that grinding feed to fine can cause acidosis and other rumen or gut issues. My mill will crack or grind--I only ever used it for poultry feed and ground stuff pretty fine like mash so they couldn't pick and choose what to eat out of it. But I don't want to make Esther sick. We would really like to go fully organic, but I have not located a source of organic grain or feed. I have found a local grain farmer who minimally sprays--and often does not spray oats at all. I've read charts and graphs of small grains compared to corn in price, energy and protein. Even on 18% commercial dairy ration in significant amounts, Heiferlump got super skinny and milked heavy most lactations, especially this last one. Esther, Heiferlump's registered Jersey daughter, is sired by a high grazing merit bull and is due to freshen this fall. My goal is to maintain condition with minimal grain and have adequate production which would be about 2 gallons per day OAD with calf share (separated 12 or more hours). So
#1 Beef sites say compare costs for energy and ignore protein because it's beef. Dairy is all about the protein I presume because it increases production, right? But if I go with higher energy and lower protein will that mean the cow takes the hit off her back or just drop production? Or does that depend? The whole goal here is condition not production as long as we don't actually drop production where it isn't worth washing the machine for.
#2 Is the acidosis/rumen danger in ground feeds primarily when cattle are being fed large amounts or as primary source of food? In a primarily grazing or hay scenario where grain is just fed at milking (in this case, once a day is preferrable, but heiferlump was fed TAD) still the same risk? How much ground feed is safe? If it is too coarse, won't the minerals settle out? I don't have an option for flaking or rolling.
#3 Some beef sites show studies saying whole grains are equally or only 8% less efficient than cracked, flaked or ground grains and that the grains seen in the manure are not significant compared to what was digested or gained from the grain. The studies were done on corn. All corn available is heavily sprayed and GMO. I have hard red wheat and barley available locally with less spraying. Oats are cheap, not hulled, not sprayed and provide lots of roughage and are palatable I read, but not tops in nutrition. Maybe crack and blend equal amounts wheat and barley with about 10% oats? or try feeding them all whole?
#4 I found Esther will eat whole wheat berries somewhat, but will not eat the ground feeds without molasses. Cannot find and probably could not afford organic molasses. palatablity will be an issue. Advice?
FTR all corn, soy and beets are out due to GMO, pesticides and herbicide use.
#1 Beef sites say compare costs for energy and ignore protein because it's beef. Dairy is all about the protein I presume because it increases production, right? But if I go with higher energy and lower protein will that mean the cow takes the hit off her back or just drop production? Or does that depend? The whole goal here is condition not production as long as we don't actually drop production where it isn't worth washing the machine for.
#2 Is the acidosis/rumen danger in ground feeds primarily when cattle are being fed large amounts or as primary source of food? In a primarily grazing or hay scenario where grain is just fed at milking (in this case, once a day is preferrable, but heiferlump was fed TAD) still the same risk? How much ground feed is safe? If it is too coarse, won't the minerals settle out? I don't have an option for flaking or rolling.
#3 Some beef sites show studies saying whole grains are equally or only 8% less efficient than cracked, flaked or ground grains and that the grains seen in the manure are not significant compared to what was digested or gained from the grain. The studies were done on corn. All corn available is heavily sprayed and GMO. I have hard red wheat and barley available locally with less spraying. Oats are cheap, not hulled, not sprayed and provide lots of roughage and are palatable I read, but not tops in nutrition. Maybe crack and blend equal amounts wheat and barley with about 10% oats? or try feeding them all whole?
#4 I found Esther will eat whole wheat berries somewhat, but will not eat the ground feeds without molasses. Cannot find and probably could not afford organic molasses. palatablity will be an issue. Advice?
FTR all corn, soy and beets are out due to GMO, pesticides and herbicide use.