Rumen For Thought

Here are some interesting tidbit's I read in this month's issue of the Stockman Grassfarmer .

Protein makes animals grow. Energy (sugar) makes them fatten. In a dairy herd, protein is linked to milk production and energy increases butterfat. Now it is interesting to note that the same kind of pasture is required for marbling fat and butterfat. This is energy found in the grass generated from the sun. It is amazing how important that sun is. To finish cattle and dairy cattle both require 20% dry matter with a crude protein of 14 to 18%. The brix count should be above 18.

Here is where it gets really interesting. If the protein level of the pasture is too high the animal's liver must get rid of this excess protein through the urine and the milk, or it will die. That worries me.

It is the high level of uric acid in the blood that causes that "gamey" taste that is the number one cause of complaint in grass fed animal meat. It also causes an off flavor to the milk in a dairy cow.

A leader-follower plan seems to work good in this situation. In other words, the cattle that are being finished should get the upper 2 inches of the grass plant that gets the most sun, thus, has the highest energy (sugar). The protein that is found in the bottom part of the grass plant, due to the lack of sunlight, is best suited for the dairy animal.

The time of day also plays an important roll. The grass will be higher in energy later in the day from a day's worth of sun.

These factors are the reason dairy cows often lose weight in the spring and finishing cattle weight loss in the fall. The difference is in the protein and energy levels found at the different times of year.

So, how can this knowledge affect your plan?

Me? I have to get quality pasture first, then I can think more heavily on these issues.