Dwayne Summach, PAg - Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist

Green grass means that pasture turnout is right around the corner. The to do list gets longer than the days do. Checking fence to remove any fallen trees, repairing stretched or broken wires; make sure the water system is operational, and the water itself is safe for the livestock to drink. It all happens before animals can be moved to their summer home. 

The quest for a magic formula that transforms a commodity with very little value into a commodity with a much greater value has been underway since currency trade replaced the barter of goods and services. The Brother’s Grimm published a fable in the early 1800’s of a little man that spun straw into gold. One of the goals of many alchemists’ was to turn iron ore into gold. While the cow is not traditionally considered a mythical creature, she is capable of converting low value commodities such as straw, into a commodity of greater value, beef.

Many cattle have been sent to pasture early this spring, not because the pasture is ready, but because there is no feed left in the yard. The net effect of this action is that the pasture will generate fewer grazing days. To maintain days on pasture, supplemental feed will be required.