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.