100+ degrees

[HobbyFarm]

So, we got the cows because we were tired of mowing the pasture. Now that we have the cows, the temp is so high, no rain - with none in sight and the pasture is/has burned up. Between the 4 they are eating about 300 pounds of grower & creep grower a week (more grower than creep), along with some coastal hay. I am facing having to feed hay between what now & next spring, will they be ok on this?

TIA
Kelly

edited to add.... GREAT... hay producers only got about 2 cuts! So - to top off the high price of feed, add in the high price of hay! Boy I have a healthy respect for you guys that do this for a living!

 

[milkmaid]

They looked to be at least 400-500lbs (except your little Beefmaster) so they will be fine with just hay. Ideally Holsteins should stay on grain until 600-800lbs, but feeding grain to dairy steers isn't at all economical. Drop them down to half-ration on their grain for a week, then cut it out completely and they should be perfectly okay. They'll grow slower than they have been but they'll still be healthy and happy. If you could supplement the little heifer she'd do better, but I suspect if she's not going to grow she just isn't going to grow, and you'll be wasting good money. Your call. You could take her off grain and then re-evaluate in 3-4 weeks. If her body condition is poor and/or she's not healthy, put her back on grain.

 

[dun]

Since you got them to mow the pasture and your pasture is gone, why not ship them and get more when you have pasture again? Feeding hay till next spring will put a pretty big bite in your wallet

 

[1982vett]

Since you got them to mow the pasture and your pasture is gone, why not ship them and get more when you have pasture again? Feeding hay till next spring will put a pretty big bite in your wallet

Makes sense to me. Ought to take some of that advise myself.

 

[nap]

Pray for rain. That's what I'm doing. Things are starting to burn up here in Southwest Arkansas. Several days with temps approaching 100 will turn a lush green pasture to a brown crinkly mess in not time.

 

[HobbyFarm]

If your in SW Arkansas, then I am not too far from you. Got in the car the other day, and on the parking lot it was 113 degrees. 103 today - and remember they take the temp in the shade. I often wonder - ya know in July & August WHY I live in this state!

Gee and I wonder why the cows & the rest of the critters won't leave from the misters area. They have a new round bale (horse quality this year 2nd cut) along with their 2x a day feeding time, so I am really not too worried. Now come January when no one has hay - then I might worry.

 

[nap]

I often get down on Arkansas weather about this time of year, but then I remember that October is coming and following a (usually) mild winter there will be a beautiful spring. This from a displaced Michigander. I hope you get some heat relief and better yet some much needed rain.