Bringing cattle onto new pastures (not alfalfa)

Dirtslinger · #1 06/04/08, 10:59 PM

The cattle at their current farm are presently on a basic good pasture (grasses, clover etc). They will be coming my farm with a mainly canary reed grass field, about 5-6' tall.
Should I be concerned about diet changes such as this? Is bloat generally from high protein- clover/alfalfa or could this rich pasture trigger it?
Thanks.

randiliana · #2 06/05/08, 08:57 AM

The bloat you are talking about is cause by a lack of fiber. It can happen on grass, but that is unusual. I don't know much about Reed Canary, but I am thinking it is not one of the richest grasses out there. From what I can see on google, it is not a terribly palatable grass for cattle, but you should not run into bloat as a side effect. The other thing is with it that tall, you may have eye problems. The only other thing I could find is that it can result in nitrate poisoning if the conditions are just so.

http://animalrangeextension.montana....anarygrass.htm

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/...anarygrass.htm

mtman · #3 06/05/08, 09:21 AM

bush hog it down the cows will go for the underneath growth anyway it is more tender

Dirtslinger · #4 06/05/08, 09:13 PM

OK thanks, I'll cut it back a couple weeks before they arrive. Good to know!

Jalopy · #5 06/06/08, 02:39 PM

As stted before they will go for the new growthas it is more palatable.Next year, as you will have them earlier I assume, start them early on it and they will keep it grazed down to where it is more palatable all summer. If you don't want to bush hog it down you could mow it and have it baled and it will make great bedding for the winter as well as they will munch on it some also. JMO