Post by lilosbornefarm on Mar 19, 2016 12:26:51 GMT -5
We are looking at a cow that is currently receiving 2 gallons of grain twice a day. I'm not sure the percentage but it looks like the finely ground , cotton hull, soy , pellet etc etc regular grain feed that many local farmers give their beefers. Usually they are 14-18% and of course I will ask officially if we do decide to buy her but I'm just thinking ahead in the meantime.
Anyway I was thinking 4 gallons has to be a lot in weight of feed ,maybe 16+ pounds or so per day and I don't need the amount of milk she is producing. I also don't know an exact amount because she nurses foster calves and they only milk when needed. But to give you an idea she can support 4 newborns when she freshens and currently can feed 2 good sized calves. We will at least be share milking with one calf that is approximately 3-4 weeks old so we are fine with her production dropping a bit and I anticipate it will some with the move.
She isn't the fattest cow but looks pretty good to me especially to produce as much as it seems she is. I don't want her to get skinnier for sure but I also don't want to push her in milk production or need that much feed long term here at our place.
She is 5 years old and is a cross breed red/white spotted cow, owner thinks maybe some Holstein, Guernsey, jersey not 100% about her breed. She is maybe 1000-1100 pounds certainly not big framed like a Holstein and has super creamy milk so I feel Guernsey of jersey has to be in the line.
I am just trying to figure out feed costs etc for this cow before we decide as well. I also, more than anything, don't want to harm her by lowering her feed or transitioning to what we would feed. I have no experience taking a cow of this feed requirement to a different feed mixture while trying to maintain weight.
She is bred, due in August.
I was thinking if we get her feeding beet pulp with molasses and oats, barley, and some sweet feed mixed. As I said I just want her to be healthy and not mess her rumen up terribly or cause medical problems. I also don't need the milk she currently produces and wouldn't mind if she slows down some in that area.
Is this transition possible or what do you all recommend?
Thanks so much!
Anyway I was thinking 4 gallons has to be a lot in weight of feed ,maybe 16+ pounds or so per day and I don't need the amount of milk she is producing. I also don't know an exact amount because she nurses foster calves and they only milk when needed. But to give you an idea she can support 4 newborns when she freshens and currently can feed 2 good sized calves. We will at least be share milking with one calf that is approximately 3-4 weeks old so we are fine with her production dropping a bit and I anticipate it will some with the move.
She isn't the fattest cow but looks pretty good to me especially to produce as much as it seems she is. I don't want her to get skinnier for sure but I also don't want to push her in milk production or need that much feed long term here at our place.
She is 5 years old and is a cross breed red/white spotted cow, owner thinks maybe some Holstein, Guernsey, jersey not 100% about her breed. She is maybe 1000-1100 pounds certainly not big framed like a Holstein and has super creamy milk so I feel Guernsey of jersey has to be in the line.
I am just trying to figure out feed costs etc for this cow before we decide as well. I also, more than anything, don't want to harm her by lowering her feed or transitioning to what we would feed. I have no experience taking a cow of this feed requirement to a different feed mixture while trying to maintain weight.
She is bred, due in August.
I was thinking if we get her feeding beet pulp with molasses and oats, barley, and some sweet feed mixed. As I said I just want her to be healthy and not mess her rumen up terribly or cause medical problems. I also don't need the milk she currently produces and wouldn't mind if she slows down some in that area.
Is this transition possible or what do you all recommend?
Thanks so much!