If you have ever wondered, “Do cows eat anything other than grass?” then you will be pleased to know that yes, they do. Cows eat hay, forage and fermented silage. The only thing they don’t eat is animal fats. So, if you feed your livestock with the proper nutrients, your cows will be healthy and happy.
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Forage
Cows are ruminants, meaning that they eat and digest food. They have a complex digestive system. Most of their energy comes from their forage diet. Their meat is rich in protein and iron. In addition to forage, cows also eat corn kernels, oats, and wheat stems.
They do not get all the nutrients they need from just forage. Dairy cows require extra protein to improve milk production. For this reason, many dairy herds are supplemented throughout the winter.
While grass and hay are both excellent sources of forage, they are not always available. As drought or climate change worsens, the amount of forage that is available decreases. Many farmers feed their cattle grain to make up for the lack of forage.
When grass and hay are not available, grains may be the most economical option. However, grains have been known to cause acidosis in cattle.
Hay
The average cow will consume between 24 to 45 pounds of grass a day. Grass is a good source of protein for cows. But they don’t get all the nutrients they need from grass alone. So, farmers may also feed cows grain.
Grain feed is often supplemented with green by-products from factories. However, these products are not well suited to the digestive systems of cattle. In addition, they contain low fiber and TDN.
Hay is another food that cows eat. Some of the most common types include Timothy grass, Bermuda grass, orchard grass, and oats. They should be cut properly and stored carefully to avoid damage from the elements.
Depending on your location, it is important to choose a hay that will be suitable for your animals. You might want to use a covered feed area to protect the hay from the elements.
Fermented silage
If you are looking for an alternative to grass for your cows, you might consider fermented silage. It is a hay-like product made from cereal grains and other grasses. However, this type of feed is bulky, and it can be expensive to transport and store. Nonetheless, it has some advantages over grass. For example, it can be used to supplement pastures in droughts. Unlike hay, it can be stored for a long period of time without spoiling. In addition, it can be sold to nearby neighbors.
There are many factors that affect the quality of silage. For example, some species of clostridia can produce toxins and enterotoxemia. Other bacteria, such as lactic acid bacteria, can cause the fermentation process to become abnormal. These bacteria can also increase the ammonia-nitrogen levels of silage.
By-products
There are a number of food by-products that cows can eat. Some of these include plant by-products, food waste, and leftover human food. While the majority of these food by-products are not digestible by humans, they are used by cattle to produce high-quality protein.
When cows eat by-products other than grass, they also get important micronutrients. These micronutrients are needed to help them survive. The cows are also able to turn these materials into beef.
By-products are usually left over components of a product after it has been extracted from the ground. This includes materials such as corn kernels, soybean meal, and almond hulls. Cows eat these by-products because they are nutritious.
However, feeding them to cattle can have negative effects on their health. For instance, high protein feeds can cause fat to accumulate in their bodies.
Keeping cattle in small areas is cruel
If you have ever visited a cattle farm, you have undoubtedly seen at least one cow in the flesh. While the vast majority of these critters are likely to be happy and healthy, the occasional blip can turn into a full blown bout. It’s in these situations where the true benefactors of our kin become the equine kind. One of the more rewarding jobs is ensuring these cows and heifers do not come to the table in a frenzy of pain and misery. This is where the alpha and beta equine vet comes in. Some savvy equine types even make the rounds of local humane societies. In the spirit of reciprocity, they may also be able to parlay their hard earned poop into a decent sized stipend.
