What do you need to feed a family cow?

[nhomestead]

We are thinking of getting a family cow. Can we just feed it hay and grain all year long, or will it need to have pasture hay to graze on. Right now we do not have enough pasture to feed it, but we do have a great source for high quality round hay bales. Any thoughts?

[sammyd]

If you can afford to buy in your feed that will be fine. Look at it as buying fertilizer for your gsrden.

[Tango]

You can feed good quality hay year round and grain during milking and just good quality hay when dry. Some people say feed middle quality hay when dry. I just only ever fed good quality I could afford and didn't have problems in freshening. I think one Jersey will go through a round bale in two weeks, dunno if I am remembering right. Wishing I could also have a Jersey now but I need to wait. Best wishes. Wanted to add that mine were on pasture. Ididn't feed hay when the grass was growing.

[karenp]

It really depends on the cow. Size, milk production, individual breeding....

[kycrawler]

You can feed hay and grain with no pasture IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT. I have 6 head of springer heifers and my wifes pet milk cow (all jerseys ) in a junk woods pasture here at the house and they eat a 4x6 round bale every week . They also get about 25 lb of corn oats mineral mix every day . If your feeding round bales to 1 cow it would be best to stand them on edge in a barn and unwrap them with a fork and feed in a hay rack . 1 cow eating a bale out in the weather most of the bale will go to waste before she eats it

[Bubbas Boys]

So how long would a round bale last a single Jersey? I looking to get a family milker too. We have room for a pasture but just have bean stubble right now.

[kycrawler]

800 lb jersey cow at 5% of body weight per day is 40 lb per day of hay/dry matter the rest depends on how much your bales weigh 400 lb 4x4 would go 10 days 2000 lb 5x6 would go 50 days

some say they eat 3% body weight per day but i feel 5% is a more accurate number if you account for waste also

[SpaceCadet12364]

It is better to get 2 since they are herd animals. And enjoy company.

[BobbyB]

Originally Posted by kycrawler

800 lb jersey cow at 5% of body weight per day is 40 lb per day of hay/dry matter the rest depends on how much your bales weigh 400 lb 4x4 would go 10 days 2000 lb 5x6 would go 50 days

some say they eat 3% body weight per day but i feel 5% is a more accurate number if you account for waste also

If it is wasted, it is not part of how much does the cow eat. Buy rolls, cover them up and peel off what you need and feed it in a hay rack and have very little go to waste, as mentioned earlier.

How we do it

[Bubbas Boys]

Does everyone just feed grass hay to jerseys or should u have some alfalfa

[arnie]

every cow is differint even in jerseys there is a big difference in size and in the amount of food consumed to the amount of milk produced .most cows can do well on just fairly good hay you can increase the amount of milk by feeding better hay and grain . usally the higher producing cows need better quality feed as some will steal the fat off there backs to fill the bucket, hopefully a good family cow like a jersey or swiss will maintain a good body condition while produceing a decent amount of milk.on good hay with a little grain . feeding them on pure alpalpha and lots of grain is like running them on rocket fuel and though you will get more milk it will cause her to burn out faster a good book to read is keeping a family cow by van loon . I like my milk cow (a gentle giant brown swiss) and she is the biggest contributer to the homestead supplying all my dairy needs helping raise a nice pig with the extras along with my years supply of beef by crossing her with an angus bull .

[Bubbas Boys]

Thanks arnie i will look that book up. Trying to gather info before we leap into a family milk cow.

[sammyd]

If you want your cow to do well feed alfalfa. If all you can get is grass you will want to feed a bit more supplements.
Unless you are looking at feeding some exotic ration from the "100 pound a day play book" some grain and a good alfalfa hay will not burn out a cow.

[Bubbas Boys]

Well we good source of great alfalfa. Good to know. How much alfalfa would you say a jersey would eat a day? Thanks.

[Karin L]

Originally Posted by Bubbas Boys

Well we good source of great alfalfa. Good to know. How much alfalfa would you say a jersey would eat a day? Thanks.

Depends on what the hay mix is. Kycrawler already stated the calculations for you, so you should expect the same as what was mentioned above. Amount eaten depends on lactation demands, hay quality, size/weight of the cow, environmental factors, etc, but estimate around 2.5 to 3% of body weight in dry matter ration per day, excluding amount wasted. As-fed depends on the moisture content and nutrient quality of the feed. Thus, as-fed can be around 5 to 7% of body weight per day.

[Karin L]

Originally Posted by Bubbas Boys

Does everyone just feed grass hay to jerseys or should u have some alfalfa

Though arnie covered it pretty good, just remember jersey's aren't horses. Horses need grass-hay, but with cattle it's best to feed alfalfa hay or an alfalfa-grass mix because of the added protein, phosphorus and calcium that is needed for a typical dairy cow's lactation requirements. Grass hay is primarily fibre with a little bit of nutrient, but not nearly as much nutrient as alfalfa or alfalfa-mix hay does. Lower quality grass-hay ends up being as nutritious as straw. When you get that kind of hay, you really need to step-up the supplements. You will need to consider feeding less of that hay and more grain with protein supplement or concentrate to keep her lactation up to par with what you need from her.

Always have your hay tested. The nutrient analysis yet get back will tell you what you need and don't need to supplement and whether or not you need to add anything to make a more complete ration for your cow.

[DJ in WA]

As mentioned, it all depends on your cow. Genetics vary widely. A cow programmed for high production is a challenge to feed, and is best left to professionals. One reason I prefer a Jersey/Beef cross with lower production.

I actually sold my Jersey/Hereford heifer last summer as the 1.5 gallons a day (plus feeding her calf) was more than just me and my wife can use, and I got tired of trying to use extra milk, and the hassles of selling it, and I don't care to raise hogs.

I now have some beef heifers from which I intend to steal a few quarts a day. Maybe some day if my kids move back and have some grandkids, I'll cross with Jersey for more milk.

[nhomestead]

Wow, thanks everyone! You guys always give such great information! We are feeling alot better now on what to expect. Bless all of you!

[haypoint]

Minerals. Cows need minerals. Cheap to buy and mix into their grain. Given a chance, cows will waste hay. Look at the hay feeder in the thread about free choice feeding in the horse section. Keeps it dry.