Why do the cows smell different now?

[PKBoo]

This is a weird question - the cows definitely smell different than they did a month ago! They are not on pasture yet, and nothing at all has changed in their feed or environment. It smells like when a sheep burps in your face, but worse... much worse

We noticed it in the 2 steers we had last year in the spring, but thought it was because of the new grass (they were out on pasture 24/7), and different bacteria becoming dominant in their rumen.

We now have a 14 mos old heifer and 8 mos old steer together, and they smell like fermented-something-gone-bad! It was stronger a week ago - I haven't noticed it as much in the last few days.

Is this something I should be concerned about?

[tinknal]

Cow's breath is supposed to smell like silage.

[gone-a-milkin]

Originally Posted by tinknal

Cow's breath is supposed to smell like silage.

Yes. & warmer weather lets the smells expand and your nose catches them more than in cold times.

I am always...uh.. struck...by the grassy smell of the cows urine, that first week on pasture.

Not to mention the looseness of things.

[genebo]

On fresh grass, my bull's breath smells like Karo syrup.

[PKBoo]

Originally Posted by gone-a-milkin

I am always...uh.. struck...by the grassy smell of the cows urine, that first week on pasture.

But they're not on pasture yet - that's what I don't understand

hmmmm genebo - Karo syrup? I'll have to do more sniff tests once they ARE out on pasture - I hope it's sweeeeet haha!

[gone-a-milkin]

Originally Posted by gone-a-milkin

Yes. & warmer weather lets the smells expand and your nose catches them more than in cold times.

It is just the weather being warmer, if you havent changed up their feed at all.