Feeding to Increase Weight?

Horse Fork Farm · #1 09/01/08, 08:09 AM

I asked a friend who has raised cows before to look my cow over and advise me on anything that might need improved. He mentioned that she could stand to gain a little more weight but as we continued to talk he never did get around to specifics on "how" to feed her to improve. Do I increase her daily grain ration? And if so, how much do I increase it and how quickly? I don't want to make her sick by changing her feed too fast. She is getting pasture, hay if she wants it, dairy feed and Sweetlix cattle minerals. She is bred for a March calf and is being milked right now.

Also, when should I dry her off and how do I do that to keep her udder in good shape? I don't want mastitis!

I'll try to get some pictures of her posted today, Kathy

Allen W · #2 09/01/08, 02:14 PM

How much grain is she getting now, and what is the pasture quality - green and growing or matureing and drying? How old is she? Maybe knowing this would help some one answer your question easier. Milk cows aren't my area, but someone will be along.

Horse Fork Farm · #3 09/01/08, 05:11 PM

Lets see, previous owner said a "butter bowl" of feed morning and night. That looks to me to be approximately 3/4 of a gallon jug total for the day. She is 5 yrs old and is half Jersey half Hereford. Our grass is still green and growing but has that late summer look to it. Hope that explains a little. (Previous owner was the one who told me the "butter bowl" Measure!) The 3/4 gallon is my estimate. Thanks

Jay · #4 09/02/08, 09:09 AM

Pictures would help...you could increase the grain slowly to help with the weight gain. Some good alfalfa hay might help, also. (I feed a flake each milking along with the grain.)

Dry her off at least 60 days before calving. (Cut out the feed and alfalfa.)
I start milking once a day about 6 weeks before dry-off date--and feeding her the "goodies" once a day, also. Makes it easier on the cow than going all out cold-turkey. (Going to once a day also gives you an idea of how well she can adjust---i.e. mastitis, etc.).

If she is due in March, around mid-to end of November, start milking once a day. Come January, dry her off completley.

Horse Fork Farm · #5 09/02/08, 01:09 PM

OK, I'll start with a little more grain at first. How much do you recommend all together per day?

Also let me make sure I understand this right. 60 days before shes due I stop feeding all grain and alfalfa and she just gets hay until she calves?

When she does calve, how much grain do I start her back on?

If I could find the dock for my camera I could post a picture. Otherwise I have to wait for my daughter to bring hers up so i can use it.

francismilker · #6 09/02/08, 04:49 PM

Heartstrings,

The amount of feed you feed her isn't nearly as important as the nutritional value of the feed you're feeding her.

An example: This year in Oklahoma hay has been very plentiful (Praise the Lord!). However, because of the price of fertilizer most of us have not been able to afford putting bulk fertilizer on the hayfields as recommended. This being the case, most of the bermuda being tested this year by our extension service is testing out at less than 6% protein. At this protein rate, a cow could stand eating her whole life and not even maintain her body weight without being supplemented protein levels through feed or alfalfa hay. If you're feeding her a cheap "chain store" brand of sweet feed, she's probably not getting at the most 10% protein and 3% fat content. If she's in milk and you're actually trying to put weight on her, you would be money ahead putting her on a better performing ration that would have the potential of not only maintaining weight but adding it as well. If you want to get down to it, it would also be very beneficial to have the hay you're feeding tested for TDN (total digestable nutrients) and protein quality.

The glory of all this is that most of this can be obtained either free or at a greatly reduced charge from your local county extension office. Most counties have a livestock expert that is paid by OUR tax dollars to help folks like you and me figure out a good diet for your cattle. The majority of us are lead to believe that these experts are on hand for large stock producers. In fact, the majority of livestock producers are small homesteaders with less than ten head of cattle in Oklahoma.

I hope you get that critter fattened up!