My heart sinks when I hear the dreaded night bellowing on our farm. That means unhappy cattle for sure!
We’re in a similar situation here on our place. Our pastures have burned up because it hasn’t rained in a month. The cows are bellowing constantly because they have gotten used to being fed. Pasturing in the woods is not an option due to lack of fencing, so I’m feeding corn stalks daily. Luckily I had planted open pollinated field corn in every available bit of crop field that wasn’t growing vegetables back in May, so I have plenty of fodder for the cows. Good luck with your experiment. You might try using a bit of your crop land to grow a cover crop that doubles as fodder if you’re averse to feeding corn. But it’s hard to beat corn for biomass production with little water. Sorghum would probably come close.
Woww! The herd in the woods sounds like quite the exciting site to me, however, I am sorry to hear about the issues with Big Gun, Kevin. I really miss being around the cows and I hope this season is going smoothly despite the circumstances.
It has been a good year but it has its own struggles and challenges. I am always learning a lot but to be honest this season has pushed my boundaries a bit more than usual. This cows are doing great despite it all. I hope you are doing well and finding some animals to be around.
Your “think out of the box” approach is admirable. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the cows are willing to do the same.
I follow The Cunning Farmer and he has expressed much the same in weather and attitude. Maybe you two can come up with some remedies for the situation.
My grandparents used to do the same. Usually if they wanted to clear an area before making more pasture, but the cows find lots to eat. I enjoy watching the deer in the area behind our house as they select their way through ground growth, shrubs and trees. Smorgasbord for ruminants. Amazing that these animals can take vegetation inedible for us and produce dairy, beef, leather and so many useful products for mankind. God bless them. What a creature!
My heart sinks when I hear the dreaded night bellowing on our farm. That means unhappy cattle for sure!
We’re in a similar situation here on our place. Our pastures have burned up because it hasn’t rained in a month. The cows are bellowing constantly because they have gotten used to being fed. Pasturing in the woods is not an option due to lack of fencing, so I’m feeding corn stalks daily. Luckily I had planted open pollinated field corn in every available bit of crop field that wasn’t growing vegetables back in May, so I have plenty of fodder for the cows. Good luck with your experiment. You might try using a bit of your crop land to grow a cover crop that doubles as fodder if you’re averse to feeding corn. But it’s hard to beat corn for biomass production with little water. Sorghum would probably come close.
I know the feeling of panic when you hear mooing at night. 😁💚🐮🐮💚
Woww! The herd in the woods sounds like quite the exciting site to me, however, I am sorry to hear about the issues with Big Gun, Kevin. I really miss being around the cows and I hope this season is going smoothly despite the circumstances.
It has been a good year but it has its own struggles and challenges. I am always learning a lot but to be honest this season has pushed my boundaries a bit more than usual. This cows are doing great despite it all. I hope you are doing well and finding some animals to be around.
Silly me…. I should have known you and The Cunning Farmer had mind links. Good deal.
Your “think out of the box” approach is admirable. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the cows are willing to do the same.
I follow The Cunning Farmer and he has expressed much the same in weather and attitude. Maybe you two can come up with some remedies for the situation.
My grandparents used to do the same. Usually if they wanted to clear an area before making more pasture, but the cows find lots to eat. I enjoy watching the deer in the area behind our house as they select their way through ground growth, shrubs and trees. Smorgasbord for ruminants. Amazing that these animals can take vegetation inedible for us and produce dairy, beef, leather and so many useful products for mankind. God bless them. What a creature!