Two Questions

[blockader]

I have two completely separate questions that i thought i might get some opinions on.

The first one involves feeding supplements. I have a bred back galloway cow due in late summer and a 600 lb bull calf i am planning to slaughter by the end of the year before mama comes back into season. i have 4 acres of fairly lush and weed-free fescue, still green even in the north Georgia heat. I have been feeding the cow fresh (wet) spent brewing and distilling grains mixed with a bit (~3lbs) of cracked or rolled corn and a handful of sweetfeed. The spent grains probably weighs about 10 lbs but is mostly water weight. the fresh spent grains are not always available so feed a bit more corn during those times. I feed in the evening to encourage grazing through the day. I also have been feeding the bull calf about the same amount of corn/sweet feed but no spent grain as he refuses to eat it. they also get some hay most evenings.

My question is, am i doing long-term harm to the cow feeding this small amount of grain? i have read various things on internal damage grain feeding does but have also been told that in small quantities it is beneficial. I'm not so worried about the bull since he won't be around much longer anyhow.

My second question involves pasture management. As i said i have about 4 acres of grass plus a few acres of woods within the cattle paddock. it looks great but is developing some small bare and eaten down spots after a year of grazing. it is not cross fenced as there is no good way i can x-fence it and have water access always available. next spring there will also be a small number of chickens pastured on it.

I was planning on over seeding it in early september with more tall fescue but thought there might be a better choice. would orchardgrass, for example, be a better choice? i was also going to put out some annual rye and buckwheat for some variety and winter forage. should i broadcast these everywhere or concentrate them in certain areas?

[topside1]

Best thing you can do throughout the year, weekly would be best is to bust up those cow patties and broadcast them around your paddock. Cattle would rather not eat vegetation high in nitrogen. Broadcasting will improve your pasture...Topside

[tinknal]

I would try to figure out how to crossfence with a hot wire and rotate. It doesn't have to be a great fence, after all if the get "out" they are still "in".

[tinknal]

OOps, two questions... LOL.

That small amount of grain will not hurt your cow at all.