Cows are herbivores and they need to eat grass in order to survive. The grass is what gives them their energy, so it is important to find the best grass for cows to eat. The types of grass that cows eat vary depending on the region they live in, as well as their needs.
If you have ever seen a cow on a farm, you probably wonder what the best grass is to feed them. Here are some options to consider: perennial ryegrass, Fescue grass, and White clover. The type of grass you feed your cow will ultimately determine its health. Here is more information on these three types of grasses:
Fescue grass
While the problem of toxic tall fescue is an ongoing concern, genetic improvement has helped improve the grass. For instance, novel endophyte fescue has been developed to increase cow health and minimize the risk of toxic fescue. In the past, producers had to use weed killers to control the fescue, which made the problem worse. The solution is to diversify pastures.
Tall fescue holds protein in a stockpiled form, ensuring that it meets the requirements of gestating cows. Fescue grass is also a superb winter feed, with cows digging their heads into over a foot of snow to consume the forage. It also helps cows gain weight in cold conditions. It’s important to remember that the new Veterinary Feed Directive requires proper supplement labeling.
Tall fescue contains 11 to 16 percent crude protein and 60 to 65 percent digestible energy. The National Research Council estimates that grazing calves on tall fescue will result in gains of 1.5 to two pounds per day, depending on their feed intake and body temperature. However, fescue has also been linked to “fescue foot,” a disease in cows that causes gangrene of the legs.
The most important benefit of fescue for cows is that it helps them to gain weight in a short period of time. Cows eat the stems and fewer leaves if overgrazed. Stems and leaves contain more nutrients than the stems, which means that the cattle may be unable to gain weight without eating enough. Capsaicin also helps to increase the intake by allowing animals to eat smaller amounts more often.
It is important to understand the digestive tract of cows in order to determine which forage will provide the highest quality of feed for cows. Properly managed fescue stands will increase the production of hay and feed for your cows. However, fescue is also high maintenance, which requires constant monitoring. In addition, it will require adequate maintenance of the pasture. And a well-maintained pasture can support a strong forage crop year-round.
Perennial ryegrass
Perennial ryegrass is one of the best forages for cows. It can survive drought and colder climates and is a fast-growing cool-season grass. This grass grows quickly, is drought-tolerant, and produces abundant amounts of high-quality forage. It can also be used as a mono-stand grass. It is highly nutritious and is suitable for a variety of farm conditions.
The grazing efficiency of perennial ryegrass depends on the species grown. Most reseeds are probably perennial ryegrasses. But other types of ryegrass may also play an important role in certain situations. Perennial ryegrasses differ in their growth characteristics and quality, so it’s important to choose the right species for your area. The Teagasc Moorepark trial evaluated the graze-out potential of ryegrass varieties.
Perennial ryegrass is a versatile grass that is easy to grow in many types of soils. It thrives in soils that are dark and moist but do not tolerate standing water. Perennial ryegrass prefers soil pH levels between five and eight and produces the highest yields in soils with a pH between six and seven. While perennial ryegrass is a good grass for cows, it can be a bit tough on soils with acidity and drought.
Annual ryegrass has a low cold tolerance. In the Midwest, it behaves like an annual. In areas with a mild climate, it performs well. It has a high yield potential and maintains productivity even during the midsummer slump. It grows fast and is easy to grow. Perennial ryegrass has a low winter tolerance and can survive up to five years. The best option for winter pasture mixes is perennial ryegrass overseeded into bermudagrass in the spring and summer. Grazing cows on annual ryegrass will help to increase bermudagrass production and prevent it from breaking dormancy.
It has also been used as a forage and seed crop. Perennial ryegrass is used for cattle feed, but it is not recommended for grazing in southern areas. It is best to consult a veterinarian before using it as forage. It has several drawbacks, so it is important to use caution when using it as a feed. In case you do plant it in the winter, it should not cause any adverse effects.
Perennial alfalfa
If you’re looking for a pasture crop for your cows, perennial alfalfa may be the best choice. It grows well in mild climates, and it is available all year round. The best time to graze alfalfa is during the spring when the temperature is above freezing. Then, the plants will continue to grow until the weather changes and the grass reaches dormancy. If you don’t want to plant alfalfa until mid-April, you can try a mix of perennial grasses and legumes in a rotational hay field. For best results, choose seed varieties with recommended dormancy ratings.
In addition to alfalfa, perennial alfalfa also includes red clover, which is similar to alfalfa but grows up to two feet tall. This grass grows best on slightly acidic and alkaline soils, and it does not cause bloat problems. However, it is not a good choice for pastures that have a high pH level, so you should not include it in your mix.
While the growth of alfalfa is slowed during winter, the number of alfalfa stands can still be a factor in determining the profitability of a pasture. While alfalfa alone is the best option, grasses are often better at establishing themselves than alfalfa alone. They have better winter protection, and their stems are not as susceptible to winter injury as alfalfa crowns. And in addition to all of this, alfalfa-grass mixtures often yield more than alfalfa alone.
Despite the fact that alfalfa grows best in cool climates, you need to choose the right kind for your region. Perennial alfalfa provides high-quality forage during summer and fall, especially if you don’t plant it during the cold winter months. Its long growing season and deep roots make it a good choice for pastures, even if the soil is not very nutrient-rich.
Once winter has passed, fall is a good time to reseed pastures and hay fields. A fundamental step in forage management is choosing the right species. Consider soil type, animal type, and geographic characteristics. If you want to grow perennial alfalfa, consider planting Birdsfoot trefoil, a deep-rooted legume that grows well in northern Ohio, Pennsylvania, and southern Ohio.
White clover
There are many benefits of white clover for your cattle. This short-lived perennial is a good choice for grazing cattle. White clover has high feed value and is higher in crude protein than other forages. It is also highly digestible and palatable. Nevertheless, it is not a perfect choice for all situations. Listed below are some tips for choosing the best pasture for your cattle.
In addition to being high in nutrition, white clover also provides an excellent supply of nitrogen for your cattle. The plant stores nitrogen from the air and fixes it in its roots through bacteria. However, adding fertilizer nitrogen to your pasture can reduce the amount of nitrogen it fixes, reducing its nutritional value and increasing competition from weeds and grasses. In addition, fertilizer nitrogen can also lead to a lack of growth in the white clover stand.
Depending on your climate, you can plant white clover in the fall or early spring. The seed will be covered by freezing and thawing. Once it has germinated, use a no-till drill to place the seeds into the soil. The most important thing to remember for successful establishment of white clover is to manage grass competition. By keeping your pasture clean and well-mowed, you can keep the competition down to a minimum.
White clover responds to shade and sunlight by elongating its leaves. In contrast, grasses and broad-leaved forbs grow up and out into the sunlight. Therefore, white clover responds to these conditions by elongating its leaves and forming new plants. Furthermore, this perennial plant is also extremely resilient and can survive grazing conditions. You can also plant it in your pastures naturally.
Once white clover seedlings have germinated, you can plant them in the existing grass sod. Before sowing, you should mow or graze the grass. In addition, you should harvest bahiagrass and other improved grasses to at least two inches. Light disking and chopping are useful for seedbeds to avoid competition and ensure good seed-soil contact.