What should cows be fed

Adult cattle kept on good-quality pasture should receive all of the nutrients they need from the forage they consume. If you need to supplement with commercial feed, look for feed specifically created for beef cattle. The nutrient ratios are different, and you can end up giving your beef herd a diet that makes them sick.

Beef cattle need different types of hay than dairy cows. Dairy cows are fed lush, protein-rich alfalfa hay, and such food actually make beef cattle sick. Some signs that your beef herd has consumed too much fresh pasture include bloat, diarrhea and other digestive problems.

Your cattle will do best on a pasture grass mix of hay. This hay includes legumes as well as grass. The exact types will differ according to where your hay comes from.

Northern farms in the U. Cattle need access to fresh, clean water every day. Cattle drink between three to 30 gallons of water a day during cold weather. During hot weather, their water needs increase dramatically, and they may need to drink one gallon of water for every pounds of body weight at least once a day.

Algae can develop inside a tank. If you do use a trough or tank, galvanized steel is easier to clean than other materials.

A good scrub brush and a forceful spray of water from the hose can be great tools to scrub out mucky water troughs. They will cross running water and wade on a hot day. Streams can also carry bacteria-laden water into nearby drinking water supplies. Be sure to talk to your county agent or ag agent before pasturing cattle near a stream to find out where the stream empties and if it impacts the local water supply.

Raising livestock for profit is always a risky venture. Sometimes you make money, but if the market prices for cattle dips too low, you may lose money. One way to maximize your beef cattle investment is to manage your feeding calendar against your pasture and forage grain crops.

The more you can raise your own feed, the better off your operation will be. Raising your own blend of hay helps you control both quality and costs. Some people may not have adequate land or capital to raise all of the hay or grain they need to raise beef cattle.

For those who must rely upon purchasing hay and feed, buying in bulk can save some money. Once you receive your hay delivery, proper storage is essential to maintaining the quality and freshness of hay bales. Moldy hay will go uneaten and may make your cattle sick. Mold makes the hay smell bad and causes wet, dark or white patches in the bale.

Cows, just like kids, have a tendency to sort through their meal and pick out their favorite parts like grain , so mixing and grinding the feed together ensures they get a properly balanced meal with every bite. They consume about pounds of feed and drink about a bathtub full of water gallons of water day. Dairy cows are great recyclers! They can turn inedible by-products from human food and fiber industries like citrus pulp, cottonseed and brewers grain into wholesome nutritious milk!

Your email address will not be published. Cattle farmers tend to have their own beliefs about healthy feed for beef cattle, and it seems every few years or so new research is produced advocating a specific system of feed. Grain can get cattle growing quickly and can help cattle get fat. In fact, many farmers feed grains to growing cattle to reduce costs and get cattle ready sooner. Grain supplements are also a good solution for winters and for cattle that lack access to high-quality hay and grazing pastures.

Hay can provide every important nutrient for cattle, but it has to be picked at the height of its nutrient richness — that is, before it becomes too dry. To be a good food source for cattle, hay must also be carefully cured and stored to prevent rot and damage. There are many hay varieties that offer good nutrition.

Alfalfa hay, for example, has more calcium and phosphorus than grass hay, but some grass hay can be high in proteins. Most experts recommend mixing alfalfa with grass hay, rather than relying exclusively on alfalfa hay.

Alfalfa hay is often recommended for dairy cattle, but may not be a good fit for beef cattle, since it can lead to bloat.

Forage and pasture can provide cattle with all the nutrients they need unless the soil is depleted or the season is too early for rich grass growth. Pasture is also the most cost-effective solution for cattle feed. Concentrates, such as oats, corn, wheat, barley, grain sorghum, wheat bran and liquid supplements are high in nutritional value and low in fiber.