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Post by copperhead on Apr 14, 2015 13:34:58 GMT -5
I have the chance to put my cows on some really lush fescue pasture, my problem is what do I have to do to get them ready to go on it so that they don't founder or whatever awful thing cows do on this kind of spring pasture. I usually put them on "sweet mag" minerals for a month before I moved them, but this pasture is so thick and rich, that I'm afraid it might not be enough to just put the minerals out.
Thanks for any help, P.J.
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Post by Lynne Simpson 180Farm FaberVA on Apr 14, 2015 14:32:54 GMT -5
I am very interested in knowing what others say about this, because we have never had a problem when we move ours to greener pastures just with starting Hi-Mag. for a month prior to moving them. I suppose you could do like the horse people do and only let them graze for part of the day...for piece of mind, you could put up a temp. fence to keep them in just with some hay and let them out to graze the lushness for increasing times as they tolerate it. Good Luck! |
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Post by dexterfarm on Apr 14, 2015 14:43:46 GMT -5
I stopped using the hi mag blocks just makes them paint the walls and I suspect some initial weight loss do to that. I put out the trace mineral blocks the ones that are mostly salt. Salt is what helps them regulate the mineral balance. Load them up on hay and then turn them out in the afternoon with full hay bellies. Dont try to introduce them to it slowly. I have done that. The problem is after the first day they will refuse the hay and hold out for the grass and then they gorge on it. I would keep an eye on them just in case but have not had a problem here.
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DoubleD
member
So no one on here has tried giving hemp to Dexters?
Posts: 59 
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Post by DoubleD on May 30, 2015 21:51:21 GMT -5
I have also observed they refuse hay after a day or two on fresh grass. Cattle do not really founder, that's a horse thing. Check the rumen fill after grazing, visible on the left side just in front of the hip. If they are not getting nourishment, they develop a "death triangle" depression (on the LEFT side only). There is what I call an adjustment period where the cattle get used to fresh grass and legumes. Make sure grass has reached a boot stage of around three to four leaves per plant. Or around 2L pop bottle height.
Salt is a must. Good shade can severely reduce water intake on hot days. You may want to consider the free choice mineral program, it's excellent. The cattle will tell you what minerals you lack by consuming the minerals needed. Minerals are important. Calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, iodine, boron, selenium, copper, etc. look it up. Missing a key mineral can result in health issues.
Have you considered a refractometer? It will let you know the Brit or sugars in your grass. A higher carb diet from your pasture can help. Too much protein from short grass and too many legumes will not help. Cattle, as ruminants, thrive on higher carb diet.
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