Angus behavior / feed question

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GoodValley

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Hello. I live in the Pacific Northwest, with two registered black angus on 4 acres of pasture (3 separate areas). There is still a lot of grass in the pasture, in the back area there is a lot of very long grass but it's dying. Does that grass have much nutrition? I am wondering when I need to buy feed for them, or if they can keep eating the grass in the field.

I have noticed a change in behavior of my older cow (she is 4). I had her inseminated mid-July so she may be pregnant (not yet sure). She is very "testy" the last few days. If I go in the pasture, she stays close to me as it to challenge me, acts like she is ready to charge me. My dad came over yesterday and I took him out to the field. Usually the cows will just stay away from us and eat their grass. Yesterday she ran up and down, getting close to us, it was very unusual and for the first time I felt unsafe around her. This morning when I went out to open the gate so she can have both fields she did the same thing, following me closely everywhere.

This is the first time I have had cows, or any large livestock. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

A few months ago I posted a message about my electric fence, and got very good suggestions here. The fence was hung up in a lot of weeds and after a lot of cleaning up, and adding another ground pole, it works great. Thanks for the advice.
 
I would suspect maybe your cow is hungry. Old, tall dying grass isn't very appealing to cattle. It's the newer growth they want and need. Cows don't need feed, they need hay. Try throwing a bale of hay to them and see how they act.

As to her charging you, they usually won't unless cornered or protecting a calf. Look for a lowered head, but with the nose forward, not down like feeding, pawing or stomping the front feet, and blowing.
 
When I first read the post, my thoughts were she was looking for something to eat.
If you have been giving a little grain, then she will definitely come to you each time. But if she is hungry, she will start looking for you too.
 
Thanks. Last week I bought a bag of grain and I have been giving her a few handfulls each day. So now when she sees me out in the field maybe she thinks it's time for grain, otherwise she goes nuts.
 
She also may have flushed out the insemination... I have one that acts like that only the day or two she's in heat, before the bull is out with them... but they will also do that when hungry. Hard to say without watching them as closely as we watch ours.

If you had her inseminated in mid-July, you should be able to have her checked to see if she took... you're at the 3 month mark.
 
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Sounds, to me, like she's looking for food. Since you've been giving her some sweetfeed, that's most likely what she's after, the feed and not you. As jkwilson said, if she were going "after" you as in going to charge, her nose would be down and forward with a firey look and stomping, pawing and I have had one who would also swish her tail vigorously.

Katherine
 
Sure soundl like your cow is hungry...the dying grass has lost much of its nutrition. Your cow associates you with her groceries and is following you fo something to eat. Time to suppliment with hay...how does she look, any ribs showing, butt area sunken in or rounded.
We're on the east side of the state and have lost our pastures last month...feed alflafa/grass...the bred cows get 20 pounds per day some more depends on size.
Good luck...be sure to give a mineral suppliment.
Dave & Sue Mc
 
Hi Good Valley, we are outside of Kent and our pastures have been gone for awhile. I have been supplementing hay, mineral, and grain since August....there are a lot of "hay" cuttings available on the westside. If you are in my area email me and I can give you a few names of suppliers. good luck...jmd :cboy:
 
Even if she isn't actually HUNGRY, some cows will do anything for a mouthfull of GRAIN. Sounds like she is just wanting you to feed her grain. And if you are feeding them OUT OF YOUR HAND, they must be friendly. I definately would NOT feed out of your hand. put grain in a pan on the ground. Friendly cattle CAN get too rough.
 
Sounds like shes just following you waiting for you to open things up so she can get to a different part of the pasture.
 

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