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<blockquote data-quote="Rydero" data-source="post: 1660938" data-attributes="member: 38101"><p>I had a somewhat similar situation this fall. I had a pasture that was really only grazed one time this summer in July. After it was grazed the palatable grass stayed grazed off by grasshoppers for the rest of the summer and fall. The native/swamp grass wasn't affected. I moved the cattle onto the pasture in September and they were convinced they were hungry in 2 days. I bounced them to another better pasture after 4 days, then to a cover crop mix till the calves were weaned/sold. Back to the swamp grass - I fed half the hay they normally require. Plugged the hay into my ration software as tested and put the balance of the ration in as straw (should be lower than that standing grass I reasoned). Had to adjust what type of hay I fed so they got enough energy and I was good. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw them out grazing grass they thought they were starving on a month before and not complaining. Lasted almost 2 months like that and they grazed that crappy grass better than I've ever seen. </p><p></p><p>Cattle adjust to the nutrition that's available. In my experience they refuse feed/complain when they think there's something better out there. They wouldn't eat the swamp grass the first time because they thought there was something better out there (and they were right). Second time around they needed less nutrition because the calves were gone and that same grass was the best feed available. Maybe the freeze thaw helped break the grass down a little or maybe they've just accepted that it's winter and they're happy to see standing grass again. I'd just make sure the hay works for the protein and energy they need and make em pick.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Rydero, post: 1660938, member: 38101"] I had a somewhat similar situation this fall. I had a pasture that was really only grazed one time this summer in July. After it was grazed the palatable grass stayed grazed off by grasshoppers for the rest of the summer and fall. The native/swamp grass wasn't affected. I moved the cattle onto the pasture in September and they were convinced they were hungry in 2 days. I bounced them to another better pasture after 4 days, then to a cover crop mix till the calves were weaned/sold. Back to the swamp grass - I fed half the hay they normally require. Plugged the hay into my ration software as tested and put the balance of the ration in as straw (should be lower than that standing grass I reasoned). Had to adjust what type of hay I fed so they got enough energy and I was good. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw them out grazing grass they thought they were starving on a month before and not complaining. Lasted almost 2 months like that and they grazed that crappy grass better than I've ever seen. Cattle adjust to the nutrition that's available. In my experience they refuse feed/complain when they think there's something better out there. They wouldn't eat the swamp grass the first time because they thought there was something better out there (and they were right). Second time around they needed less nutrition because the calves were gone and that same grass was the best feed available. Maybe the freeze thaw helped break the grass down a little or maybe they've just accepted that it's winter and they're happy to see standing grass again. I'd just make sure the hay works for the protein and energy they need and make em pick. [/QUOTE]
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