I always want a duo of cows .
My uncle raises cattle , and it ’s a family joke that , when he ca n’t be found , he ’s probably out talking to the cow . ( It ’s a jest only in the light sense — the mood lies in the fact that , nine times out of 10 , this is incisively where he is . ) I ’d had a few conversations with the cows on the farm adjoin my grandparents ’ acres when I was growing up ; I knew they were good auditor , and their slow , dumb stare held a unique charm .
It was more than their conversational brilliance that made me long for a bovid presence in my life — I wanted buckets of fresh milk and forage - finish steak on the dining table whenever potential , and the distinct challenge of effectivelypasturing large - scale ruminantswas one I felt keen on mastering . So when my menage of five moved to a central Kentucky farm with two empty horse pasture , the next dance step matt-up obvious : We aim a few hours south to peck up two black Dexters ( the smallest non - miniature cattle breed ) , a pregnant moo-cow and a confidential information for the freezer . Then we send for the reference bureau to meet with a guy about how to raise them .
Different Pastures
When our county agent , a kind and deep well - inform adult male on whom we soon grew to bank , step out of the truck , he scanned the two pasture and said , “ Very nice . you’re able to have yourcool pastureon this side andwarm pastureover here . ”
My married woman and I were befuddle — of course we understood there were different kinds of grass , but different kinds of pasture ? This deterrent example was the first of many we had yet to learn about grass - finishing cattle . In the death , we ended up selling our couple of Bos taurus , having learn the last lesson that we were better at pasture pigs than cows , but not before baffle a inscrutable education in contrive grass pastures for in effect cows husbandry .
The musical theme of throw dissimilar pastures for different weather conditions is meant to keep Bos taurus eating Mary Jane as long as potential and minimize the motive for hay , which , if you ’re purchase , can pose a considerable cost gain ( maintaining heavy - role haying time equipment can be jolly beloved , too ) .
What, When
focalize on seed warm - weather condition grasses ( C3 metal money ) in one pasture during the wane Clarence Day of wintertime to establish a grass crop for Bos taurus to enjoy during the summer month . A common approach is to toss it atop the snowfall , which melts and deposition seed in the ground . Then start cow in your forage with cool - weather grasses ( C4 specie ) when leap has sprung and ontogeny resume . Rotate Bos taurus into the warm - weather grazing land when temperatures get through 70 to 95 degreesF — the grass should be quick then because you seeded earlier in the twelvemonth .
Warm - weather eatage lose nutrients and eventually go dormant when temperature swing between 40 and 75 degreesF , which is when you spread out the cow back into the pasture where you raise cool - weather grasses . And as summertime offers you a enceinte opportunity to do by and inspect the cool - weather pasture for bare or damage spots that involve attention , your pasture should be ready to go when the warm - weather increment take up to decrease off .
Plan Ahead
Planning seasonal pastures is just one element of pasturing cattle , but it can keep cows farm efficaciously until the thick freezing pushes them on to hay . And keep cattle on pasture for as long as possible keeps farm costs low without sacrificing the animals ’ comfort . Here ’s a quick priming on what sens go where in your cool- and warm - weather pasture arrangement .
