Post by vanalpaca on Jul 31, 2019 14:23:58 GMT -5
I have 6 acres grass and 5 clover pasture in lush growth with 2 nursing cows and 2 yearlings on it (so 6 total). One calf is 4 months and the other new. I want to put weight on both mommas. They are on full pasture (100 year grass fed genetics). Last year the one nursed 2 calfs and was pregnant. We feed 25 lbs of swt feed between all of them every day the weather is 80 or below so we do miss several days in the summer. It's 12% protein. The bull looks fabulous and so does the yearling and the 4 month calf. It will be a few days before the new calf fills out. But the two mommas have divets along both sides of the spine and I want to put that weight back on them now that it is cooling off and I can safely do additives. The mommas are grass fed guernsey genetics. Bull is beef, other 3 all half and half. What do I do now to add to their program so they will put on weight. We are not milking and these girls can do 4-6 gallons of milk when they are fresh. They are 3 and 5 years old on their 2nd and 3rd freshing. Do I buy alfalfa pellets, sunflower seeds, increase ration of sweet feed, get calf manna that is 24% protein (pricey stuff). I can shop at TSC. The mill's stuff custom blended gave the moms and babies straight diarrhea the whole 500 lbs we tried. Hay is in shortage right now, has been mostly rained on and they want about $10 for light bales, not even 50 lb bales. I currently plan on the sunflower seed and upping the sweet feed and trying not to give them diarrhea....Specific advise on how many lbs of what to add to their diet is appreciated. Dividing grain to twice daily. I have 3 bales of oat straw left that they will eat that helps tighten up the plops so that may help get more grain in them. The farmer I got them from (closed guernsey herd for 40 years on grass only) said that they 'do not do well on grain'......I figure they need to keep the right microbes for grain and they have those now....thanks!