so how do I find out... I'm gonna try this

cindy-e · #1 12/03/12, 01:00 PM

OK. I do not have cows yet, and I don't want to get them until I know how much it would cost to keep them over winter. I have unused fenced pasture here, about 5 acres, so we have lots of grass. Right now, Dec. 2, the grass is still green, but it is unseasonably warm this year. I would only have a mother unit for milk and meat, for family use. We might lose an acre of that pasture for something else, like growing flax or something. Any other animals that I need can go in different parts of the property not included in the acreage above.

I have been reading a lot about making sileage and fodder systems, and I am wondering if with grass most of the year, a small number of animals, and those two things, if I could get away with NOT buying hay? And if I am going to attempt that, I would want to try it out this year before I actually got animals to see how much food it produces. I wouldn't want to commit to buying animals before I knew I could care for them.

So my question is, how much food does it need to produce before I can call it a "success?"

I realize this is a "stupid newbie" question, but figure it's better to ask now than to get into trouble later.

Thanks for the help!

Cindyc.

Bret · #2 12/03/12, 01:29 PM

If you have stockpiled grass fences and water, you may get by with minimal additional hay this winter for a cow of one thousdand lbs., or one animal unit. She will harvest 30 to 50 lbs. of dry grass per day. More green grass by weight because it holds water. Two 500 lbs. steers equal 1 animal unit.

You can divide the five acres with a small fence charger, poly wire and step-in posts. The metal pig tail posts will last longer than plastic posts. Add a bag of mineral salt for your area and you are good to go.

Can you give your cow a windbreak this winter. Can you give your cow a little extra grain for energy when the it's cold and wet? They can handle a lot of cold and dry but a little wet makes it tougher on them.

If you learn as you go you will be successful.

If you have a milk cow she will make a great contribution to your food supply if you milk and care for her and enjoy it. If you feed a beef steer, it will give you it's all.

cindy-e · #3 12/03/12, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bret

If you have stockpiled grass fences and water, you may get by with minimal additional hay this winter for a cow of one thousdand lbs., or one animal unit. She will harvest 30 to 50 lbs. of dry grass per day. More green grass by weight because it holds water. Two 500 lbs. steers equal 1 animal unit.

You can divide the five acres with a small fence charger, poly wire and step-in posts. The metal pig tail posts will last longer than plastic posts. Add a bag of mineral salt for your area and you are good to go.

Can you give your cow a windbreak this winter. Can you give your cow a little extra grain for energy when the it's cold and wet? They can handle a lot of cold and dry but a little wet makes it tougher on them.

If you learn as you go you will be successful.

If you have a milk cow she will make a great contribution to your food supply if you milk and care for her and enjoy it. If you feed a beef steer, it will give you it's all.

It is VERY wet here, for 5+ months of the year. Rain, rain, rain. every day for months. Is that cause for concern? I know people here do have cows. I drive by them all the time. They seem to be out in all weather, but I don't think they are in milk. I think they are beef cattle. What do you mean by a windbreak? I have a barn in the pasture. Is that what you mean? Also, there are a few good stands of trees in there. Yea, TOTALLY green on this! But you have to learn sometime. Thanks for the help!
Cindyc.

nosqrls · #4 12/03/12, 01:44 PM

A cow will typically eat 3 percent of her body weight a day. So I would plan on 2 cows to keep each other company they are herd animals. Raise one calf for beef one to sell to offset cost of feeding over winter. I will go through 5 to 6 round bales per head for winter depending on weather.your area may differ. Here in ky. I run 10 Highlands on 8 acres fenced 9 cows 1 bull and assorted calves. And bush-hogged the pasture 3 times. I buy hay for the winter. If your gonna milk your gonna want dexter's or jersey's so that is different they will require some grain. You will also need free choice mineral and salt.
and the first time you put one in the freezer it is a plus and milk in the frig. It depends on the length of the growing season and quality of the grass as to how many animals per acre you can run. It may sound like allot to take in but ounce you figure everything out then it is easy. So do your research. You will understand why I said jersey and dexter then.

Bret · #5 12/03/12, 03:22 PM

Rain would get me down. I joke that we have 5 seasons here--winter, spring, summer, fall and mud. Mud also comes twice. You may want a small sacrifice area, a smaller enclousre to keep a cow off the pasture when it is really wet and can damage the pasture. One cow should not hurt the pasture all that much. Windbreak? You have the idea. Any place to get out of the wind when it is cold and wet. Trees can break some of the wind too. Cows can take a lot of cold. Wind takes more food energy to stay warm. My cows get mostly hay, water salt and minerals. OK...protein blocks on holidays and special occastions. They get some mixed feed when it is bitterly cold and wet. That makes me feel better when I'm warm and inside.

Nosgrls has good additions too.

G. Seddon · #6 12/03/12, 04:11 PM

I don't see your location. But your county extension agent, soil/water district rep, or NRCS person can probably come to your farm, look at your pasture, offer advice, and tell you what the cows/acre number is for where you are.

If I were you, I'd exercise caution and learn all you can before you get any cattle; with it almost being winter, I'd advise waiting until spring.

cindy-e · #7 12/03/12, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. Seddon

I don't see your location. But your county extension agent, soil/water district rep, or NRCS person can probably come to your farm, look at your pasture, offer advice, and tell you what the cows/acre number is for where you are.

If I were you, I'd exercise caution and learn all you can before you get any cattle; with it almost being winter, I'd advise waiting until spring.

Yes. That is the plan, and possibly longer. I want to be sure I know what I am getting into before I do it! Good idea about the extension office, thanks. I live in the pacific northwest. We get tons of rain this time of year! We do get light every day in the winter, but it is a very grey kind of a light. I am making myself get out... in the rain and the grey to do stuff every day outside anyway to prepare for spring. We just got this property so I am in the middle of planning it out.

Thanks for the help!

Cindyc.

nosqrls · #8 12/03/12, 05:00 PM

That being said if you want dairy Dexter if you want beef Dexter or Highland. They are use to that kind of weather double coat of fur. So rain is not as big of a problem. Shade and a water source will be needed. And a wind break (tree line three sided shed). Scotland and Ireland have those conditions. Yes do your planning and ask extension office.We lived in Poulsbo on hood canal for a while. People in wa. don't tan they rust.

cindy-e · #9 12/03/12, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nosqrls

That being said if you want dairy Dexter if you want beef Dexter or Highland. They are use to that kind of weather double coat of fur. So rain is not as big of a problem. Shade and a water source will be needed. And a wind break (tree line three sided shed). Scotland and Ireland have those conditions. Yes do your planning and ask extension office.We lived in Poulsbo on hood canal for a while. People in wa. don't tan they rust.

LOL! Yes, we do! I love it! I have thought of highlands b/c dh would like that for a number of reasons, but we do want a milk cow, so... I thought maybe a jersey would do well here too since they were originally from the british isles which has similar weather, but IDK. Still doing research!

Cindyc.

**gone-a-milkin** · #10 12/03/12, 05:42 PM

I grew up on a Jersey dairy in the PNW so I know it can be done there.

As to your question about whether you can get by on 5 acres w/o buying hay?
Dont bet on it, at least not initially.

It sounds like your fields have not been improved/planted lately.
You may end up wanting to seed in some different grasses/ clovers etc.
Then there is the weather to contend with. Every growing season is different.
I dont think a single 'mother unit' and her calf would be considered overstocking on 5 acres in your area,
but having a few bales set by in case the weather is unhelpful?
Sounds like a good idea to me.

Good luck on your new place, and I look forward to your cattle adventures.