Changing Feed for Holstein

masawyer · #1 02/20/12, 08:45 PM

We are planning on getting a New Zeeland Holstein milk cow. She is due to calve at the end of March. The question that I have is, since she has been on grain and hay, can we have her on grass in the spring and while the grass is growing and feed her grain only when we milk her??

TIA,

Marsha in OK

willow_girl · #2 02/20/12, 10:55 PM

Be careful transitioning her. Too much rich grass all at once can cause bloat. Fill her up on hay first before you turn her out so she can't eat too much grass in the beginning. Once her body has a chance to adjust, she'll be OK.

francismilker · #3 02/21/12, 12:16 AM

Marsha, that's what I do. I don't keep a critter on grain year round. Provided you have good grass that'll keep some condition on her I'd go for it.

Valmai · #4 02/21/12, 02:37 AM

Just curious, (as I'm a kiwi) where in NZ do her genetics come from, if you know?
New Zealand holsteins are smaller than American, I believe.

masawyer · #5 02/21/12, 08:52 AM

Thanks for the replies.

Valmai I am not sure where in NZ her genetics come from.

Marsha in OK