Veggies for cattle

[SammieBrewer2010]

So my husband and I have recently taken over his dads cattle operation and the forage is so lifeless and nonexistent that I am trying to come up with other alternatives than just hay and grain. So my idea is to plant about 2 acres with corn, green beans, cucumbers, pumpkins, carrots and squash then come Augustish let them in to help themselves. Has anyone had experience with this or am I too far out of the fence with this thinking? Thank you in advanced for the help!!!

 

[5S Cattle]

Out of the fence. Just plant grass

 

[SammieBrewer2010]

We have done a soil test and are in the process of making the improvements recommended, I was just tying to think out side the box so I know our cattle would have enough forage to keep their body scores up and our calves good and fed.

 

[Ebenezer]

Do a mix of legume that grows in summer where you are like cow peas or a forage soybean, bin run corn and maybe some sunflowers and something like crabgrass. Dr. Ray Archeletta would have a mix for your region. Problem with the corn alone is a once and done and the other stuff will require rotation to graze all season. But the best is to build from the soil up so you are doing good.

 

[SammieBrewer2010]

Ebenezer...thanks for the advise. I was trying the garden thing for this fall only that way it will give our pasture time to pick up all the nutrients we put down and get the newly planted grass and legumes time to grow and thicken up for the up coming years.