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| Tubs are very exspensive, too costly for this commercial producer. coop does have a protien block that is economical only if the cattle need it. Body condition tells you alot about nutrional needs. Free choice mineral year round for sure! Make sure them old cows get enough roughage,,,a happy cow chews her cud.. If they lay around chewing cud they are getting enough roughage, if they are constantly looking for forage they might not be getting all their needed forage. Don't have to be good hay! Rough hay is great, but no straw of any kind, she'll loose weight. Check them teeth next time you work em, if she's smooth mouth sell her before she gets thin and looses value. Don't have them old cows mouthed at the sale barn, take them heavy breed, fleshey, if possible. The buyer see's the cow fat and pregnant and will gambel against her age or at least i do, or if she goes to slaughter she'll still weigh more. Don't hold a old cow too long! Yes there can be to much protien if she has a calf in her you may be pulling them calves and killing cows with too big of calves, not to mention foot problems, growed out hooves, and extra protein will never take the place of roughage in a cow calf operation. Body condition score is a great scale to determin their needs. Cold weather she has to have enough forage to maintain her body heat to survive in the winter! Cold cows get sick! Winter is not the time to "rough" cows, this is when her roughage needs are at their peek.
Respectfully I am,
Donald E. Franks | |
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Need a little advice (small cow herd)....
