This ICE is driving me crazy.

DFB · Jan 4, 2001

Ernie, thanks for all the info. No way would I find it boring. All new to me.

Cowboydoc, thank you for the breakdown. I totally agree about the taste and savings. 100 head wow! I haven't seen that many animals in one place since the local dairy farm went out. Used to plug up the town road for an hour moving them from field to barnyard. Sports medicine huh? Let me tell ya about this arthiritis I got.../w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

cowboydoc · Jan 5, 2001

Hi Ernie,
Arthritis is a tough one, don't envy you. I ran into a good deal a few years back on that 150 acres. It's pretty rough for farming but it's good soil and good pasture so I put the cattle on it. It supports them most of the year. I have to supplement now when it gets cold and snow. I just got another 57 acres yesterday that is farm ground. I should be able to raise enough hay and corn off of that to support the whole operation which will be nice. Hate depending on other people for things. I've bought haying equipment and a combine cheap over the last few years at farm auctions waiting for the right deal on some good ground. Should be set now.

Richard

DFB · Jan 5, 2001

Cowboydoc, One of the first things I stumbled across while researching cattle/grazing was a problem with endopyhte fungus in fescue grasses. Do you know anything about this, I've been planting K-31 and Fawn tall fescue mainly because of cost but also in anticipation of having livestock. It seems to be a major problem for horses. Now I wonder if this could cause problems for me. I've got access to 8-10 acres of sweet corn to cut for forage so that would help. Have to buy baled hay though.

cowboydoc · Jan 5, 2001

DFB,
What you are talking about is only harmful to pregnant mares. It will cause abortion. That is why when you are planting pasture for horses you have to plant the endophyte free kind. It's absolutely no harm to horses if they aren't pregnant or to cattle.
Richard

cowboydoc · Jan 5, 2001

Also don't feed sweet corn to horses in large amounts or it will make them founder. It can cause cattle to bloat if you give them too much at one time if they're not used to it.

DFB · Jan 5, 2001

Richard, thanks for setting me straight on that. I'll heed your advice on the feed. Its sure nice to know those in the know. BTW Doc, I'm the one with the arthiritis. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

cowboydoc · Jan 5, 2001

Oops sorry about that. Wouldn't want to wish arthritis on anyone.

ERNIEB · Jan 5, 2001

Richard, No arthritis here, knock on wood. It is my understanding that research has found a link between "fescue toxicity" and cattle being grazed on tall fescue with endophyte fungus. Fescue toxicity results in poor performance in beef cattle. I don't beleave it is fatal, but can cause a number of maladies. One that comes to mind is commonly called "Summer Slump" The last information I saw (probably outdated), stated that there was no clear relationship between between the endophyte and fescue toxicity. Research was continuing.

Ernie
"Do not be uneasy about me, I am among friends"
David Crockett 1836 (in a letter to his family)