Don, thanks for the link. Very informative. As I mentioned, I'm not a farmer, but I've been dipping my toes into animal husbandry since with my (human) medical skills I have been some (very little) assistance to my B-I-L on his ranch and the subject interests me. But, I do not think he has seen any fescue related toxicity. In the spring, if its wet, they can overeat fresh, fast growing grass and (rarely) go down due to electrolyte deficiencies especially if still producing milk. This is not an alkaloid toxicity and they typically respond to IV fluids with magnesium and other eletrolytes. As the link suggests, fescue is apparently popular here so I'm assuming that's what he, and all the other ranchers in the area have. It did mention that the 'tall fescue' they were talking about did not grow much in the mid summer heat. Well, whatever type we have around here does. As long as it is gettng rain it grows _fast_. He cuts hay all summer long.
Joe, I'm not sure what to make of some of your comments. As a non-farmer I really have nothing but a passing interest to inform me but I wonder if some of what you are saying might be qualified by region. (And just as an aside, all I know about this stuff comes from a little reading and working a few weekends on the farm. But, my B-I-L runs a successful operation, has taken a number of courses on modern field roatation and management, has 250 head (expanding to 300 soon) and has won Cattleman of the Year a few times in our region, which is only to say that my observations (however misunderstood they might be) at least come from what most consider to be a worthy example.)
So let me address a few of your comments. Consider it more a matter of curiosity than a challenge to your experience:
Cattle shouldn't need suplementing if the right amount of head are on the proper acreage.
Supplementing is common here. Both with cotton seed and minerals (all in pretty small amounts). This is stepped up with the calves depending on how and when they are weened (they are sold by the pound after all.). And, as I mentioned above to Don, even when it is lush and green, mineral supplementation is integral to preventing down cows. Also, I would think the acre-per-head ratio depends more on how many acres you have and how many head you need to make a living. This isn't Texas after all. You work with what you have.
If you are having to actively feed on a regular basis then you are killing yourself.....the land can't support the animal and you're *issing in the wind.
If you mean feeding with supplements, you may or may not have a point. If you mean hay, I'd just suggest your comment might be accurate in your region but a little off base for this region. Feeding hay in the winter is how its done here. A bad hay yield in the spring and summer will kill your bottom line if you have to buy hay from out of the region. (Even in the worst drought this never happened to my B-I-L). He prefers to have 1800 to 2000 bales for his herd which approaches 500 with calves. And maybe I don't understand what you mean by urinating in the wind, but if that's what my B-I-L is doing, you might want to give it a try. He has been quite successful in an ag-industry that does not favor the farmer.
And don't let Atlanta fool you. The country side there is hardly the best the south has to offer. It looks a little more like this around here:
