As we wave goodbye to summer, the food (known as forage) that cows rely on becomes less rich in nutrients. Imagine having to eat stale snacks instead of fresh ones. Not fun, right?
Now, cows having babies in the fall need extra care. They need a diet with 11% protein. But, nature's summer-ending twist means grasses like Indian grass only provide about 6%. It’s like trying to fill up on half a meal.
Low protein can lead to skinny cows, which isn't good news. But there isn't a single magic solution. Depending on how good the forage is, farmers might need to give their cows additional supplements. Think of it as a health booster!
A nifty trick from an expert at Oklahoma State University- Keep an eye on cow dung. Piles of it can be a clue that cows are lacking protein. It’s smarter to offer them the protein boost before they start looking underfed. When they're well-fed, they can use their food more efficiently.
Source : wisconsinagconnection