# data[].attributes.body
1 Ringworm is fungus that creates a really bad skin condition in mammals. It is very infectious and can be spread to humans. Hair loss occurs in areas affected, this is usually the head and neck on cattle. The ringworm spots are typically circular in shape. There is not much you can do to prevent ringworm. The fungus lives in the soil for many years. I have had ringworm and many of my cows have too. It is not fun.

2 Cattle can get aggressive for a few reasons. First thing to mention is that cattle have pecking orders. For example, if you have a group of three cows, one is leader #1, one is leader #2, and #3 is at the bottom. #3 will get bossed around from #1, and #2. So if we brought in a new cow (#4) they would have to figure out a new pecking order. Sometimes when they are figuring it out they will fight.

Typically when food is involved they can become aggressive towards each other. Usually it is nothing major though.

Bulls will fight a lot and they are very strong. They fight if they both think they are the toughest.

Cows with calves can be very protective, which comes off as aggression.

And sometimes cattle can just be plain mean. Just like there are mean people, there are also mean cows.

3 Yes! Space animals need is called carrying capacity. Cattle need a lot of space. Cattle in a pasture will need about 2 acres of space per year. That’s the size of two football fields. The reason they need this space, is for the amount of food they eat. If you don’t have enough space you will have to bring in grain or hay to supplement the pasture grass.

# data[].attributes.body
Ringworm of the body is a fungal infection that develops on the top layer of your skin. ... Also called tinea corporis, ringworm of the body is closely related to athlete's foot (tinea pedis), jock itch (tinea cruris) and ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis).Mar 6, 2018

# data[].attributes.body
- Cattle 11:00 am Dairy Heifers / Dairy Cows

Feeder Cattle: 3.5%, or a minimum of $15.00 per head

Dairy: 4.5%, or a minimum of $50.00 per head

Veal Calves: 4%, or a minimum of $10.00 per head

Butcher Cattle: 1%, or a minimum of $20.00 per head

Butcher Bulls: 4%, or a minimum of $50.00 per head

Butcher Cows: 2.5%, or a minimum of $30.00 per head

Tagging Fee: $0.30 per head

No Sale: Must be present and object to sale as soon as the animal is sold. Fee is regular commission price + yardage fee.

# data[].attributes.body
THE CHEMISTRY OF MILK. The principal constituents of milk are water, fat, proteins, lactose (milk sugar) and minerals (salts). Milk also contains trace amounts of other substances such as pigments,enzymes, vitamins, phospholipids (substances with fatlike properties), and gases.

# data[].attributes.body
Learn how your cow behaves. Watch her. How often does she eat, drink, lie down, belch and chew her cud? After you learn what is normal for your cow, you’ll quickly recognize signs of illness.

Major diseases that dairy cows can get are:

mastitis – an inflammation of the udder

ketosis – a metabolic disorder resulting from rich living

milk fever – a calcium deficiency after freshening (having a calf)

hardware – getting a nail in her reticulum (the front compartment of the stomach)

ringworm

lice

internal parasites

pink eye – an inflammation of the eye

hairy hoof warts – a viral disease causing a wart-like protrusion between the digits

# data[].attributes.body
If you don’t mind waiting for milk, consider raising a calf to be your family cow. Breed her at 15 to 20 months for the first milk nine months later.

Look for these characteristics:

The back should be relatively straight and not swayed.

The udder should be up close to her body; it should not hang down so low that you’ll have trouble getting the bucket under her; and it should be soft and pliable.

Teat ends should reach a level plane.

Legs should be straight.

Her pasterns (the part of her foot between the fetlock and the hoof) should have good spring.

Toes should be trimmed and eyes clear.

She should have a friendly, calm disposition, with nothing more than mild curiosity while you look her over. Watch her being milked at least once.

Have a veterinarian look at the cow if you aren’t confident in your own appraisal, and have her tested for TB and Brucellosis.

If you have not had much experience milking cows, consider buying a mature cow who is confirmed pregnant and is in the last third of her gestation. She’ll be comfortable with the routine, and her udder will be softer than that of a fresh cow.

# data[].attributes.body
Milking – 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes at night

Feeding – 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes at night

Pasturing – 1 or 2 minutes, if you have wired runs from the barn to the pastures

Straining and cooling milk – 5 minutes to wash, fill and date bottles

Washing utensils – 5 to 10 minutes

Separating the cream and cleaning up – 10 to 15 minutes daily or every other day

Making butter – 30 minutes (Add more time for making other products.)

Cleaning the barn and removing manure – about 15 minutes

Grooming the cow – about 5 minutes

Watering by hand – 5 to 10 minutes

Raising a calf – The time required depends on who feeds her: you or the cow. You’ll also want to teach her to lead and respect the fence. Allow 5 hours or more, total.

Making hay or growing other crops to feed the cow will also take time, if you’re raising the feed yourself.

So you’ll need two to two and a half hours for daily chores.

# data[].attributes.body
just common info.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Did you know that the average dairy cow can eat over 100 lbs. of feed per day.

Many of the older cows will even eat around 120 lbs. per day when they are at peak milk production. That means each cow is can eat about 18 tons of feed per year. Dairy cows are like athletes and do a great job converting feed into the energy they need for maintenance and milk production.

The main factor in how much a cow will eat depends on her milk production. A cow that is milking will eat more feed than a cow that is not milking.
Feed consumption comparison between a milking cow and a dry cow
The amount of feed that cows eat will follow milk production very closely. There is a direct correlation in cows between milk production and feed consumption.
The amount of feed a cow eats follows milk production
There are a variety of factors that can influence how much a cow will eat:

Genetics - The breed of the cow will largely determine how much feed is eaten; dairy cows eat more than beef cow breeds because they are converting that feed to milk. Beef cows convert feed to body fat and so eat less. Holstein cows are a bit bigger than the Jersey cows so the Holsteins need a bit more feed for body maintenance.

Milk Production - The amount of milk a cow is producing is the largest factor affecting how much feed a cow eats. If a cow is producing high amount of milk, she needs more food. There is a direct correlation between how much a how eats and how much she will produce.

Health Condition - A Sick cow will eat less than healthy cows. Just like when people get sick, cows will eat less when they're not feeling well.

Reproductive status - Being pregnant will mean that a cow needs to eat more feed. It's often not noticed because cows that are pregnant begin to drop in milk production so the amount of feed needed for milk production is reduced over time even though a pregnant cow will need more energy for the baby.

Age - Younger cows eat less than older cows. Even though younger cows put more energy towards growth. Older cows put more energy towards milk production because they no longer need that energy to grow.

Temperature/ Weather - Weather is a big factor on a cows diet. If it is too cold, cows will eat more so they can sustain normal body function - more feed will be used for maintenance to keep warm. In the summer, heat stress can reduce a cow's appetite.

Feed Consistency - Believe it or not, the consistency of the feed can also affect a cow's eating habits. Cows are creatures of habit and any significant changes to their food (like changing types of grass or forages) will cause them to eat less. They like eating the same things each day.

Keeping it Balanced

To make sure cows get proper nutrition, we have a nutritionist balance the cow's meal specifically for her needs. The nutritionist balances all the macronutrients and micronutrients to make sure the cow gets all the nutrition it needs for proper health. Carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins, minerals, ect. The nutritionist even gets into the micronutrients, making sure they get all the essential amino acids and in the proper balance. Gym bros be jealous.

The majority of the cow's diet is grass, but some grains are used to balance the amount of protein and energy. Cows need to eat a balanced meal.

A variety of factors can affect the nutritional content of feeds so they are checked so the cows ration can be balanced accurately. Every type of feed (alfalfa hay, corn silage, oats, rye grass, sorghum grass, ect.) is analyzed to check the nutrient content that is available for the cows. The hay grown early in the summer has a different nutrient content than hay grown late in the season.

Some of the different nutrients that are analyzed in cows feed
Is feeding cows a "waste" of food

Feeding cows is not wasteful because cows are bio-converters of low quality feeds. Cows take low quality foods that humans cannot digest and convert them to highly nutritious and absorbable forms.
Cows convert fiber to milk
Grass and other forages cannot be eaten efficiently by people. If these grasses are eaten by people, they provide very little nutrition - mostly because they are so high in fiber. Because of the way the cow's stomach is designed, the cows can take fiber and convert it to milk - which is rich in protein, fat, sugar, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds. A much higher quality food.

Dairy Cows and Feed Efficiency

Interestingly, today's dairy cow is more feed efficient than cows in the past. Many dairies today are focused on breeding cows for better feed converting abilities
Cows today are more feed efficient and have a lower environmental hoofprint

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Many of the older cows will even eat around 120 lbs. per day when they are at peak milk production. That means each cow is can eat about 18 tons of feed per year. Dairy cows are like athletes and do a great job converting feed into the energy they need for maintenance and milk production.

# data[].attributes.body
also just common info.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Getting a Family Cow ... Lots to Consider

# data[].attributes.headline
In today's market, how much is that cow worth? | Land & Livestock Post | theeagle.com

# data[].attributes.subject
In today's market, how much is that cow worth? | Land & Livestock Post | theeagle.com

# data[].attributes.body
Prices will consistently exceed $2,000 per cow.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Since recent droughts have caused a lack of available forage in many areas, the incentive to retain heifers and purchase cows has been very low.

This situation is coupled with the high value of heifer calves after weaning, preconditioning or the stocker phase. It makes the decision to retain or purchase females extremely difficult.

As a result, the cattle inventory has declined to levels not seen since the 1930s and 1940s, and the value of heifer calves has risen to all-time record highs.

With low cow numbers, historic high prices for weaned calves and the cost of cows at record highs for the foreseeable future, this means good, young, producing cows are going to be hard to find. Prices will consistently exceed $2,000 per cow.

How much could cows be worth? Based on $550 annual cow cost, 88 percent calf crop and $180 per hundredweight average price for a 525-pound calf over seven production years, a $2,150 cow/calf pair purchased in the spring of 2014 would have a 10 percent return on investment.

In determining if this investment should be made, producers should ask themselves a few questions. Are more cows needed? Is there enough grass for more cows? Is there a better alternative use for the grass than cows (e.g., retained ownership of owned calves or purchased stockers)? Are the estimates in the previous example higher or lower than your operation? Can financing be secured for cows at the higher price?

If it is determined that cows are the best option, then the decision has to be made when to buy the cows, and what type and age of female. Because of the cow cost and the value of the calves, the timing of the purchase can make a significant difference in the value of the cow (a cow is typically more valuable the closer it is to the sale of a calf). Also the age of the cow will make a difference because younger females typically will have more economic value because they will have more calves.

For example, using the previous assumptions, let us compare the value of an open heifer, bred heifer and first-calf heifer pair. If a first-calf heifer pair is worth $2,150, then a bred heifer would be worth approximately $2,050 and an open heifer (that will be bred in May for spring calving) would be worth approximately $1,450.

All of these factors should be considered when making the decision to buy cows at a time when cow and calf prices are at a premium.

It is extremely important to know and understand the ranch's annual cost to maintain a cow, the percent weaned calf crop and the weaning weight per calf. All these factors will weigh into how much can be invested and have a reasonable return.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Steve Swigert The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
In today's market, how much is that cow worth?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Since recent droughts have caused a lack of available forage in many areas, the incentive to retain heifers and purchase cows has been very low. This situation is coupled with the high value of heifer calves after weaning, preconditioning or the stocker phase. It makes the decision to retain or purchase females extremely difficult.

# data[].attributes.body
for the safety of cows

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The majority of beef cattle accidents occur while the victim is handling the livestock. Many of those accidents involve horses and are the result of a rider being thrown or falling from the horse. (See related article on horse safety.)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What eats cows?

What do cows eat?

Most cows are owned by people and live on farms or ranches. But some predators still kill and eat them from time to time.

The main animals that attack cattle in North America are wolves and grizzly bears. In Asia, wolves and tigers kill and eat cows from time to time. In Africa, cows are sometimes eaten by lions and leopards. And in Australia, a type of wild dog called a dingo sometimes kills and eats cattle.

As for the question, what does a cow eat?-cows are grazers. Click here to find out what that means.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What eats cows? What do cows eat? Most cows are owned by people and live on farms or ranches. But some predators still kill and eat them from time to time. The main animals that attack cattle in North America are wolves and grizzly bears.

# data[].attributes.body
contact for info and interview.
(wagner farm)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Wagner Farm Sub-Menu

History

Preserving Glenview's Farming Heritage

This 18.6 acre farm, owned by the Glenview Park District, is the last remnant of a much larger farm which was owned and farmed by members of the Wagner family since their arrival in this area from Trier, Germany in the 1850s.

In 1997, Rose Wagner, the last surviving member of the Glenview Wagner family, died. Her will directed Glenview State Bank, the trustee for her estate, to sell the farm to the highest bidder with the proceeds to benefit her family parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Glenview. A group of local citizens approached the park district and asked the district to buy the farm and preserve it as an historic working farm for the education and enjoyment of the community. With citizen support, a referendum to approve funds to pay for the farm was approved by the voters in 1998 and the park district purchased the farm in 2000.

The park district, assisted by representatives from the community, embarked on a master planning process to set guidelines regarding the future uses and development of the farm. Guided by this master plan, the park district has repaired and restored the barn and farmhouse, added chickens and pigs to the farm's livestock, and introduced a number of programs and events to allow the public to experience the farm. Aided by the energetic fundraising assistance of the Friends of Wagner Farm, the park district constructed and opened the Historic Wagner Farm Heritage Center Museum in 2006.

Today, the Historic Wagner Farm represents one of the historic and educational jewels of the North Shore community. In 2007, the farm had over 54,000 visitors. Also in 2007, the Historic Wagner Farm became home to the Glenview Farmer's Market. Popularity of the market grew as a result of its move to the farm drawing over 16,000 customers that first summer. The staff at the Historic Wagner Farm continues to design and incorporate fascinating new programs and events to provide visitors with a taste of farm life from the past and educate them on the important role farming plays in all our lives today.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Preserving Glenview's Farming Heritage This 18.6 acre farm, owned by the Glenview Park District, is the last remnant of a much larger farm which was owned and farmed by members of the Wagner family since their arrival in this area from Trier, Germany in the 1850s.

# data[].attributes.headline
cows will become aggressive if you threaten them or their calves

# data[].attributes.subject
cows will become aggressive if you threaten them or their calves

# data[].attributes.headline
one cow will fit almost exactly in your backyard. 

# data[].attributes.subject
one cow will fit almost exactly in your backyard. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Determining How Much grass a Beef Cow Consumes Each Day.

# data[].attributes.subject
Determining How Much grass a Beef Cow Consumes Each Day.

# data[].attributes.body
how much grass needed

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Photo by USDA NRCS

It's April and for cow/calf producers in the Northern Great Plains the majority of the cows are calving or are about to start calving. Cow/calf producers during this time period are typically feeding harvested forages. A frequent question from producers is "how much will my cows eat on a daily basis"? Producers want to meet the cows' nutrient requirement, but sure don't want to over-feed expensive forages. With the dry conditions this past summer and harvested forages at a premium, closely estimating the amount of feed needed to get through the winter and early spring will be important to contain cost.

The Difference Between Intake on a Dry Matter and As Is Basis

This can be a challenging concept to explain - what the difference between dry matter and as-fed - especially when nutriments for beef cows are on a dry matter basis. Intake on a dry matter basis means that the forage doesn't include moisture. However, we know that the forages contain moisture and not all forages contain the same amount of moisture. So if forage intake can be determined on a dry matter basis, it can easily be converted to an "as is" or "as-fed" basis.

As an example, if it were determined the daily dry matter intake of a group of 1,200 pound cow eating an average quality hay is 24 pounds per head and the hay that they are consuming is 88% dry matter, these cows would consume about 27 (24 pounds/.88) pounds per head per day on an as-fed basis.

If the same group of 1,200 pound cows are fed a ration where part of the ration called for corn silage to be fed at 10 pounds per head per day on a dry matter basis and the corn silage is 35% dry matter and 65% moisture, the pounds of corn silage in the diet would be 28.5 (10 pounds/.35) pounds per head per day on an as-fed basis. Remember that of the 28.5 pounds of silage, 18.5 pounds is water and 10 pounds is silage.

What Determines Daily Forage Intake

There are a number of different factors that determine the daily intake of a cow. The primary factors are cow weight, forage quality, and stage of production (gestating or lactating). When feeding the same forage, cows that weigh 1,300 pounds will consume more on a daily basis compared to lighter weight cows that weigh 1,100 pounds. In addition, cows that are lactating will consume more feed than cows that are not lactating.

Forage quality impacts dry matter intake of cows. As the forage quality increases, indicated as an increase in TDN content of the forage, the amount of the forage that the cow can consume also increases. As forage quality increases, there is more leaf as compared to stem. When quality is low, there is more stem, therefore more cell wall contents that are not as easily digested - the forage does not pass through the rumen very fast.

In addition, as forages increase in maturity, there is an increase in lignin content. Lignin is not digested by the rumen microbes.

A good example of how forage quality impacts the amount a cow can consume daily is wheat straw. Wheat straw is low in protein and energy, 4.0% crude protein and 40% TDN. When cows have full access to wheat straw, they don't quit eating wheat straw because they don't like it, they quit eating it because they can't stuff anymore into their rumen. Straw has such a low digestibility that it takes extra time in the rumen for it to be digested and passed through the rumen before more can be consumed. Daily intake on a dry matter basis may be 1.6% to 1.8% of her body weight. In comparison, corn silage will typically be about 70% TDN and lactating beef cows can easily consume 2.5% to 2.7% of their body weight on a dry matter basis of this feed.

There are some "thumb rules" to help estimate daily feed intake of cows on a dry matter basis consuming forages of differing quality when they are either gestating or lactating.

When forage quality is low (52% TDN or less) and cows are not lactating, they will consume 1.8% and lactating cows about 2.0% of their weight on a dry matter basis.

If the forage quality is average (TDN content between 52% and 59%), non-lactating cows will consume about 2.0% to 2.1.% and lactating cows about 2.3% of their body weight daily on a dry matter basis of this forage.

As an example, if the forage were 55% TDN and lactating cows on the average weigh 1,200 pounds, then it could be estimated that they would eat 28 (1200 pounds x 0.023) pounds of hay daily on a dry matter basis. If the hay were 88% dry matter, on an "as-fed" basis, cows would eat about 32 (28 pounds/.88) pounds daily. If there were 200 head of cows in the herd, it would take about 3.2 ton of this hay per day [(200 head x 32 lb/hd/da)/2000lb] not accounting for any waste.

Estimating daily feed intake of your cow herd is the first step in determining the amount of forage that is needed to be on-hand for a harvested forage feeding program. When forage availability is tight like it is during drought, being able to determine how much inventory needed will help enhance the profit potential of the cow/calf enterprise.

Rick Rasby
Beef Specialist
University of Nebraska

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Web Developer Network

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Determining How Much Forage a Beef Cow Consumes Each Day

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It's April and for cow/calf producers in the Northern Great Plains the majority of the cows are calving or are about to start calving. Cow/calf producers during this time period are typically feeding harvested forages. A frequent question from producers is "how much will my cows eat on a daily basis"?

# data[].attributes.headline
What Do Cows Eat? Why Good Grass is Key for Good Beef - Clover Meadows Beef

# data[].attributes.subject
What Do Cows Eat? Why Good Grass is Key for Good Beef - Clover Meadows Beef

# data[].attributes.body
to help keep the cows alive.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Just like people, cows need a complete and balanced diet.

People get their balanced diet by eating a variety of foods with different vitamins and minerals. If you eat a steak, you're giving your body nutrients like vitamin B12, zinc, iron and selenium, just to name a few. If you have a kale salad with your steak, your body is thanking you for the vitamin K and vitamin A.

You already know that - but how do cows get all of the vitamins and minerals they need to be healthy?
What do cows eat so that they get a complete and balanced diet?
Grass - but the answer isn't really that simple.

Grass is surprisingly complex.

When most people from the suburbs or city look at grass, they say it looks good if it's green and mowed.

When a Farmer looks at grass, they see nutrition. They know that to get the best meat, you have to have good grass. In fact, grass is so important that college classes and seminars are devoted to teaching farmers how to manage it and keep it as healthy as possible.
Why can cows just eat grass when people need a balanced diet of different foods to be healthy?
Cows have a very different digestive system from humans, and that allows them to thrive on a diet predominantly made up of grass.

The biggest difference is in the stomach. For humans, we sallow our food and our stomachs are sort of like a holding tank where digestion begins, and it continues as it goes throughout our body.

Cows have a four-chamber stomach (which we've talked about before here). When a cow eats grass, it only chews it a little before swallowing. Then, the grass goes into the largest portion of the cow's stomach called the rumen. Some people compare the rumen to a large food processor because the rumen has millions of tiny organisms that live there naturally and help the cow get the nutrients it needs from the grass. Once their rumen is full, cows usually find a place to lie down and then they re-chew their food - this is called chewing their cud.
Does grass have different nutrient levels throughout the year?
Yes. And because grass is our cattle's source of nutrients, we pay close attention to it all year long.

In general, pasture grasses have two stages of growth-vegetative (spring growth) and mature (mid-to-late summer). Usually, the nutrient content is highest during the spring when there is new growth, good temperatures and rainfall. Mature or dormant grass in late fall and winter has much lower energy and protein content and overall digestibility when compared to a spring pasture.

For example, when we have a wet winter and spring, we know that will increase the soil moisture level. This in turn means better grass for the livestock to eat during the spring and summer. It also means we will usually be able to make more hay per field, which we will use during the upcoming winter.

Whether or not the grass has lots of nutrients or not will also affect the beef a little. If there are lots of nutrients, like in spring grass, cows will convert the extra nutrients to fat. Conversely, if there are less nutrients in the grass, like dormant fall grass, cows use all of the nutrients immediately.
Is it possible for grass to lack the nutrients a cow needs?
If it's been an extremely dry spring or summer, or a really long winter, there are times the grass doesn't have the nutrients it needs to keep our cows healthy. When that happens, we will occasionally supplement our cattle's diet so that they stay healthy. This is similar to a person taking a multi-vitamin to make up for whatever nutrients they're not getting from their daily diet. Supplements for cows include things like molasses; high protein range cubes that are all-natural; or a diet designed by our veterinarian or cow nutritionist.
Earlier you said that farmers "manage grass." How do you manage grass?
One of the ways we manage our grass is through "rotational grazing". This is an agriculture-term that means we move cows from one field to the next so that they're always getting the best grass AND so that the grass has a chance to rest and grow.

We have several large pastures, and we rotate cows to those pastures every three to four weeks so that they can start eating new grass. This extends the life of grass because cows eat it at just the right height (more on the height later).

If we didn't do rotational grazing our fields would have what's called "spot grazing." Cows like to graze and eat, but they're also somewhat selective (but not nearly as picky as horses). Cows will always eat their favorite grass first. This means in a pasture containing several grass species, a patchy grazing pattern can develop because cows leave their least-favorite grass until last.
What's the right grass height for grazing?
Our cows are usually moved to pastures that have grass about four to six inches tall. The reason for this is because we want them to eat the grass before it starts to form a seed. When grass starts to form a seed, the plant has matured and it stops making nutrients. We want our cattle to get all the nutrients they can, so if they're in fields with grass about four to six inches tall, the grass is still making nutrients.

In case you're asking, "what's a seed?" You've probably seen it before in your own front yard. It's what happens when you don't mow grass for a really long time and a seed head form at the top of the grass.
What does an ideal pasture look like?

An ideal pasture has a mixed type of grass and legumes. Legumes have a higher protein level than most grass, and may stay greener after some of the pasture grasses mature and lose nutrient quality.

Don't let the word "legume" scare you. A legume is a fancy horticulture word for plants like clover, lentils, alfafa, and beans.

Our pastures have several different types of legumes, including clover. In fact, one of the reasons we named our business "Clover Meadows Beef" is because of the clover in our fields.
Is your grass treated with anything?
We fertilize our grass to make sure that it's as healthy as possible. This sometimes raises questions about "what's in fertilizer", so let us explain.

Fertilizer is made up of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), which are the three basic elements of all plant life (you'll see "NPK" on just about any bag of fertilizer you buy for your own yard too). When we fertilize, we're adding back in the natural elements that were in the grass originally.

Applying fertilizer is something we take very seriously since it's so important that our grass is healthy. Before applying any fertilizer to our fields, we do soil tests and get professional recommendations on exactly what our grass may need.

Additionally, we apply Lime to the fields every three to five years based on soil tests. Lime helps keep our fields healthy because it helps release more nutrients from the soil by balancing the soil pH. Lime also contains calcium and magnesium - which makes those nutrients more available for the grasses.

The average cow we raise has 175 pounds of calcium in their bodies, and the lime helps keep their calcium levels where they should be while they're growing. Without added lime, over the years the soil would deplete of calcium.
Why do farmers sometimes burn the grass in their fields?
When a farmer burns a field he is adding organic matter back into the soil and decreasing unwanted plants and brush that may decrease nutrition.
How much grass (acres) do you need to feed a cow?
That depends on the pasture. A good pasture in Missouri with lots of high quality grass may support one cow per two acres during a good growing year.

A pasture with sparser grass (like you find in northwestern states like Montana and Wyoming) may only support one cow on 50 acres or more.
How much do cows eat in a day?
A cow will consume about 2.5-3% of their body weight a day. If the cow weights, 1,000 pounds, that means they're eating 25-30 pounds of grass and legumes a day.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Do Cows Eat? Why Good Grass is Key for Good Beef - Clover Meadows Beef

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Just like people, cows need a complete and balanced diet. People get their balanced diet by eating a variety of foods with different vitamins and minerals. If you eat a steak, you're giving your body nutrients like vitamin B12, zinc, iron and selenium, just to name a few.

# data[].attributes.headline
Winter Livestock Management | Small Farms Programs

# data[].attributes.subject
Winter Livestock Management | Small Farms Programs

# data[].attributes.body
shows how to manage the cows

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Winter Livestock Management | Small Farms Programs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Shelter is another obvious winter livestock management concern. Animals do not necessarily need or want to live in an enclosed barn every day in the winter and barns for shelter are not practical for large herds of animals such as beef cattle. As discussed above, livestock can tolerate cold weather if fed properly for it.

# data[].attributes.body
DEXTER

Registered cows measure 36 to 42 inches in shoulder height at three years of age and weigh approximately 750 pounds. Dexters produce meat and milk. For their size Dexters are prolific milkers. They can easily rear two calves at a time or produce 1.5 to 2.5 gallons per day with 4% butterfat. The breed matures early, and its beef, which has excellent flavor with good marbling, can be produced economically. Dexter steers can be finished on grass at 18 to 24 months of age, without supplementary feeding, with an average live weight of approximately 770 pounds. Dexters are noted for their longevity and should breed regularly for 14 years or more. Calving problems are rare, and calves are quick on their feet, full of character and have a lively, inquisitive temperament.

MILKING DEVON

The Milking Devon is a bright red, medium-sized, triple-purpose breed (milk, meat and oxen) adapted to survive on a diet high in forage that lacks quality, and in severe climates. This healthy, long-lived breed thrives on good care and management. Average milk production is about 2 gallons each day when the calf nurses during the days but not at nights, or 4 to 5 gallons each day when a calf is not nursing. The butterfat content is 4 to 5% even when the cow gets little or no grain.

KERRY

The Kerry is a small, fine-boned dairy breed that is mostly black. Cows weigh 780 to 1000 pounds and are horned. Milk production averages 3 to 4 gallons per day, with over 4% butterfat. Kerrys are hardy and long-lived, often still calving at 14 to 15 years of age.

CANADIENNE

The Canadienne is well adapted to the Canadian climate, soil and herbage and does not require expensive, imported foods or intensive management. It is small (cows weigh 1000 to 1100 pounds), long-lived and has an exceptionally docile temperament. Canadiennes produce good quantities of quality milk (2 to 3 gallons with 4% butterfat) in relation to their body size and food requirements. The meat tends to be lean, and the light bone results in a high percentage of usable meat in relation to total body weight.

DUTCH BELTED

Dutch Belted are small-boned, so calving is easy. They have unusual longevity and fertility, high meat yield and friendly dispositions, so stock and dairy farmers using grass-based methods are interested in them. They can produce 8 gallons of milk a day with no grain when they’re not feeding a calf.

MILKING SHORTHORN

One of this breed’s greatest attributes is its versatility. These docile cows efficiently produce large volumes of nutritious milk during each lactation (5 gallons of 4% butterfat each day) and are large enough to have a high salvage value when their long, productive lives finally end. Their calves, born easily each year on regular calving intervals, are spunky at birth and grow rapidly. Those not kept for breeding stock and herd replacement make efficient gains and hang very desirable grading carcasses. They perform well on home produced roughage and grass.

# data[].attributes.body
how to help cows stay warm

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In the winter, cows thick skin and hair is a natural insulator that protects them from the bitter cold. Their hairy coat grows longer and thicker in the winter. When it sonws,

As we've talked about before, we make hay in the summer and feed it to the cows in the winter so they have plenty of food and don't have to dig through the snow covered ground to find grass.

Here's what it looks like when we take a bale of hay to the cows.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Snow! How Do Cows Stay Warm in Winter? - Clover Meadows Beef

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In the winter, cows thick skin and hair is a natural insulator that protects them from the bitter cold. Their hairy coat grows longer and thicker in the winter. When it sonws, As we've talked about before, we make hay in the summer and feed it to the cows in the winter so they have plenty of food and don't have to dig through the snow covered ground to find grass.