rockridgecattle
Well-known member
Just so you know we are taking our feed tests to the ag office this week to get the data read and see what kind of ration to do.
but i would also like some advice from the seasoned producers....constructive please
We are not into creep feeding, our opinion is it is costly for the cost of calves. What we might consider is a pellet ration if and i stress if needed.
Slight background
Most of you know that we received a pile of rain this year. After all was tallied the consenses was 30-40" from spring to Sept 1. Majority fell during the prime haying season July 15 to Sept 1, I lost track after 20" during that time.
No wild or sleugh hay
Tame hay crap at best
We shipped out alot of cows because we could not afford to buy hay. At 3 cents a pound, and $5-7.00 a loaded mile, and 400-500 calf prices it just did not pay
So we shipped cows in three waves
1. any thing with a bad attitude, even looked at us funny
2.old. we decided if we were going to downsize by 50% we needed a younger herd because replacements would not readily happen in a tight market. And buying breeds is not a consideration...PM me if you want to know why.
3. Preg testing was the next avenue of the rest of the herd. Here our vet helped us cull out the opens and real lated as well as the genetic not money makers and the big hay eaters, with a calf that was not what to write home to momma about. What we found is we culled whole lines of genetics.
Now we have a young herd. One cow born in 1999 one born in 2000 and the rest of the 63 animals born 2001 or later.
We decided to keep the older girls who were the best producers in their prime, their off spring. So we have 12 calves for next year replacements if they turn out.
Here is the dilema. Oh yeah everyone gets free choice mineral.
The hay is crap. We are feeding more pounds of hay to get them through. I'm taking about the brood cows here. They came off pasture as well as can be expected with the crap summer.
I will try and post some pics on Monday.
The thing is we have had a real cold bitter cold winter this year. They are consuming more than expected. The BSC looks not bad, but if this cold continues, they could go down hill fast. They have just started the last trimester. Just so you know it is as cold here as Randi's wiskey bottle has....read her post...
We are really trying not to buy because the cost does not warrant it. However we are considering pellets if needed. Pellets offer rumensin to aid in better digestion of what they get, mineral and a guaranteed protien level. We really can not afford but might have to, sell off more cattle...
What would you do?
We produced 490600 pounds of hay. After the feed tests the hay volume was adjusted to 379817 pounds
I do not profess to understand the results of the feed tests so if there are #'s you need just ask and i will type them in. I might not get back to the computer till monday as after church we are going to the city on a much needed date.
Constructive please...we feed from October to May last year included June. We are in a snow infested cold infested area, for those who think grazing is an option. There is 2 feet of snow in the fields right now.
but i would also like some advice from the seasoned producers....constructive please
We are not into creep feeding, our opinion is it is costly for the cost of calves. What we might consider is a pellet ration if and i stress if needed.
Slight background
Most of you know that we received a pile of rain this year. After all was tallied the consenses was 30-40" from spring to Sept 1. Majority fell during the prime haying season July 15 to Sept 1, I lost track after 20" during that time.
No wild or sleugh hay
Tame hay crap at best
We shipped out alot of cows because we could not afford to buy hay. At 3 cents a pound, and $5-7.00 a loaded mile, and 400-500 calf prices it just did not pay
So we shipped cows in three waves
1. any thing with a bad attitude, even looked at us funny
2.old. we decided if we were going to downsize by 50% we needed a younger herd because replacements would not readily happen in a tight market. And buying breeds is not a consideration...PM me if you want to know why.
3. Preg testing was the next avenue of the rest of the herd. Here our vet helped us cull out the opens and real lated as well as the genetic not money makers and the big hay eaters, with a calf that was not what to write home to momma about. What we found is we culled whole lines of genetics.
Now we have a young herd. One cow born in 1999 one born in 2000 and the rest of the 63 animals born 2001 or later.
We decided to keep the older girls who were the best producers in their prime, their off spring. So we have 12 calves for next year replacements if they turn out.
Here is the dilema. Oh yeah everyone gets free choice mineral.
The hay is crap. We are feeding more pounds of hay to get them through. I'm taking about the brood cows here. They came off pasture as well as can be expected with the crap summer.
I will try and post some pics on Monday.
The thing is we have had a real cold bitter cold winter this year. They are consuming more than expected. The BSC looks not bad, but if this cold continues, they could go down hill fast. They have just started the last trimester. Just so you know it is as cold here as Randi's wiskey bottle has....read her post...
We are really trying not to buy because the cost does not warrant it. However we are considering pellets if needed. Pellets offer rumensin to aid in better digestion of what they get, mineral and a guaranteed protien level. We really can not afford but might have to, sell off more cattle...
What would you do?
We produced 490600 pounds of hay. After the feed tests the hay volume was adjusted to 379817 pounds
I do not profess to understand the results of the feed tests so if there are #'s you need just ask and i will type them in. I might not get back to the computer till monday as after church we are going to the city on a much needed date.
Constructive please...we feed from October to May last year included June. We are in a snow infested cold infested area, for those who think grazing is an option. There is 2 feet of snow in the fields right now.