Post by Kelsey on Oct 28, 2015 12:39:20 GMT -5
I'd like some thoughts on my options for beefing up my small herd...
Right now all 4 are on a couple acres of never before grazed pasture - leftover dry stems from spring/summer, plus fall growth. The problem is that my Jersey is now at the bottom of the pecking order (she was top cow just several months ago, and took that shift pretty badly, and lost weight due to not eating her grain for awhile when still milking). Her spirits are good again, but she needs to gain a bit of weight before calving - being dry is already helping though.
Then I have one fat 22 month heifer, and two steers that are the most OBNOXIOUS bovines I've ever raised. Mooing loudly (and very badly) is their hobby... So for this reason, I'd like to avoid delivering tasty food on a schedule, or it will reawaken their mooing habit.
I've never supplemented my steers before, but I have a feeling this year's grass is sub-par due to the weird drought we had - they're a bit thin, too. This is also due to the fence jumping habit they acquired, so they were on lockdown during the summer drought and got skimped a bit. And my Jersey doesn't hog the feed any more, but I'd rather not separate her every day to give her grain and extra hay.
Do you think a protein block is a good option? I've never used one before.
Or should I put up with the AM/PM mooing and set up a trough and feed hay pellets, beet pulp, and grain? Maybe hay cubes are less exciting? I could also feed hay, but then they would rather have hay than pasture, and will stand around bellowing for more when they have several acres that they were just put on...
I'm very tempted to sell them, just because they are so aggravating, but they'll be ready next fall and we could really use more beef then!
Any ideas? Thanks!
Right now all 4 are on a couple acres of never before grazed pasture - leftover dry stems from spring/summer, plus fall growth. The problem is that my Jersey is now at the bottom of the pecking order (she was top cow just several months ago, and took that shift pretty badly, and lost weight due to not eating her grain for awhile when still milking). Her spirits are good again, but she needs to gain a bit of weight before calving - being dry is already helping though.
Then I have one fat 22 month heifer, and two steers that are the most OBNOXIOUS bovines I've ever raised. Mooing loudly (and very badly) is their hobby... So for this reason, I'd like to avoid delivering tasty food on a schedule, or it will reawaken their mooing habit.
I've never supplemented my steers before, but I have a feeling this year's grass is sub-par due to the weird drought we had - they're a bit thin, too. This is also due to the fence jumping habit they acquired, so they were on lockdown during the summer drought and got skimped a bit. And my Jersey doesn't hog the feed any more, but I'd rather not separate her every day to give her grain and extra hay.
Do you think a protein block is a good option? I've never used one before.
Or should I put up with the AM/PM mooing and set up a trough and feed hay pellets, beet pulp, and grain? Maybe hay cubes are less exciting? I could also feed hay, but then they would rather have hay than pasture, and will stand around bellowing for more when they have several acres that they were just put on...
I'm very tempted to sell them, just because they are so aggravating, but they'll be ready next fall and we could really use more beef then!
Any ideas? Thanks!