jasonleonard":3m875t6a said:
We have had some frozen weather so far this season , but the mud is crazy right now.
I have three groups of 30something head, and we use those 30 foot feeder wagons to feed out of. I have a stoned up area in one group of cattle. The other 2 groups I have to wade in and hook up the wagon and move it every day, to fight the mud.
I sure hope it freezes up soon. I guess you all are gonna tell me you are still running on stockpiled pasture or stalks!
All our cows have bales in the field - they walk on dry ground or snow - they have no tag at all and they do not have to search for solid ground - because we do not concentrate the feed areas.
I will write this out again for folks to think on.
We spread the bales out over a large area. There is some waste - but there are benefits. The cows feed themselves. I do no work at all once the bales are out.
1. Only start a tractor to feed cows about three times a year. I bet I use less than 15 gallons of fuel to feed cattle for an entire winter. Wear and tear on a tractor in the winter is an issue often ignored by people.
2. Never have to spread manure - the cows do it
3. Never have cows tagged up with mud and schitte - they sell better and are healthier
4. Fertilizer costs are dramatically reduced
There are a lot more benefits - but every year folks complain about the mud and I always wonder about it.
If it is so frigging bad then why don't you do something about it?
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over again and always hoping for a different result. In the end it will not change unless you - the operator - does something to make it better.
I never use feeder wagons because of the mud - concentrated feed areas - if not properly prepared are a frigging mess and invite issues from animal rights folks and your local do-gooder who calls the SPCA - there are other ways - I am sure you can figure it out for future use.
In the end some wasted hay is far better than making the cows wade through mud to eat - how is the tag situation - got a dry place to lay down?
Complain all you want - but it will not get better until you decide to MAKE it better.
Absolutely hate seeing cattle wade to feed - and the public looks at it and thinks we are a bunch of poor animal husbandry folks for allowing it to happen. Perception IS reality. And - if you are not working to make it better and fix the problem - it is irresponsible as well.
Another well respected young producer on this board does the same thing - ask Aaron how he does it. He has even tougher conditions than me! He has detailed his method several times - including pictures - on this board.
It works and the animal is happier, healthier and a better producer.
I await the arrows.
Be safe
Merry Christmas to all
Bez