Post by mommyto6 on Jul 14, 2015 17:57:23 GMT -5
My cow came from a dairy and is used to eating while milking... I decided it works well for us if we just continue that, I much prefer milking a busy cow and things are going really well now. However, I live in beef country rather than dairy country, so finding feed for a dairy cow has been difficult and rather expensive. I have been feeding her beet pulp shreds and an 11% protein All Stock at milkings, though I just found the Sweet 16 has better protein at I think 16%.. but this route will make me go broke in a hurry buying from Fleet Farm and I'm probably over feeding her besides.
So, firstly.. I'm wondering what the general nutritional breakdown of the first alfalfa cutting is? I just got some bales of that and my husband said its a really good feed, but that doesn't tell me much (he also grew up a beef farm kid so I don't trust him with my Jersey, lol).
Then, to get away from the Fleet Farm feed expense commitment, I want to feed her the alfalfa at her milkings... but don't know if that's enough (or if its even a good enough treat to keep her happy while I milk). Should I keep something like the Sweet 16? Or the Beet pulp? Or both and give her less than what I have been (like I said, I have more than likely been over feeding her)? Or just pour some molasses on the alfalfa? Corn? Whole Oats? Or something different? I just want something special to give her that won't make me go broke that will help maintain milk and body condition. This is way more confusing than I ever imagined . Oh, then how much of any of that should I be giving her per milking twice a day?
She's giving me usually 3 gallons of milk a day and has a calf, which is between 3 and 4 weeks old, who is on full time. If that matters.
So, firstly.. I'm wondering what the general nutritional breakdown of the first alfalfa cutting is? I just got some bales of that and my husband said its a really good feed, but that doesn't tell me much (he also grew up a beef farm kid so I don't trust him with my Jersey, lol).
Then, to get away from the Fleet Farm feed expense commitment, I want to feed her the alfalfa at her milkings... but don't know if that's enough (or if its even a good enough treat to keep her happy while I milk). Should I keep something like the Sweet 16? Or the Beet pulp? Or both and give her less than what I have been (like I said, I have more than likely been over feeding her)? Or just pour some molasses on the alfalfa? Corn? Whole Oats? Or something different? I just want something special to give her that won't make me go broke that will help maintain milk and body condition. This is way more confusing than I ever imagined . Oh, then how much of any of that should I be giving her per milking twice a day?
She's giving me usually 3 gallons of milk a day and has a calf, which is between 3 and 4 weeks old, who is on full time. If that matters.