From providing the right feed and good
medical care, dairy farmers work closely with their employees and a network of
experts to make sure their cows stay healthy and comfortable. By keeping them
happy, they’re also more likely to be healthy and healthy animals produce more
for their farm or ranch. In order to provide cow residents with the best care
possible, it’s important to have a basic understanding of their digestive
system, eating habits, and nutritional needs. Below are some ways how to keep cows healthy:
1) Hay- It is the best diet for cows.You’ll need an ample supply of grass hay for
your cow residents, though the specific variety will depend a lot on your
location. Timothy, Bermuda grass, and orchard grass are a few common varieties,
though they may not all be available in your area. Hay can come in multiple
cuttings, with 1st and 2nd being the most frequently used. The cutting simply
indicates when the hay was harvested (cut) for the season- first cutting was harvested
first, second cutting is harvested second, and so on. In some areas, first
cutting may be all that is available to you- it all depends on your region, the
growing season, and your supplier. Depending on the type of hay you use, there
may be physical and nutritional differences between the different cuttings. For
example, when comparing first and second cutting timothy hay, first cutting is
typically coarser than second cutting, which is often richer, softer, and also
more expensive (though in some cases, first and second cutting may look very
similar). First cutting timothy might be the better choice for healthy, mature
cow residents who are at (or above) a healthy weight, while second cutting is
usually better for calves, pregnant or nursing individuals, those with dental
issues, and those who struggle to keep weight on. It can be a good idea to
connect with various suppliers and check out local hay auctions to get an idea
of what options are available in your area.
2) Provide proper shelter- Life on the
pasture is normally pretty good. Lots of food and plenty of space, but when a
winter storm comes roaring in, getting to safety becomes top priority. Without
it, cattle can stress over their well-being and panic. Providing proper shelter
for grazing cattle during cold weather is critical and can even reduce your
feed costs, since chilled livestock will have increased energy requirements.
Shelter can be provided in a variety of ways. Three-sided sheds placed
throughout your pastures will allow cattle to escape harsh weather. Hills,
gullies, thickets of trees and shelterbelts can also work as wind breaks. It’s
also important to pay attention to the weather forecast. When you know there’s
a winter storm coming, it’s best to keep cattle close to the barn or near a
shelter. That’s one of the benefits of temporary electric fencing – you can
control where your cattle are at all times.
3) Biosecurity: Think contain and control –
biosecurity measures prevent disease from being brought onto a farm, spreading
within a farm or leaving the farm. Measures include restricted access where
animals are housed to prevent exposure to bacteria or other diseases from shoes
or vehicle tires.
3 Comments
Harsh, 11 Sep 2020 06:09 am
Very useful information.
Harsh, 11 Sep 2020 06:09 am
Very useful information.
Harsh, 20 Sep 2020 06:09 am
Very useful information.