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Cattle Diets and Nutrition
Domestic bovines don't eat just grass: the diet of a bovine is surprisingly complex and involved with the variety of feeds in the form of forage, grain and byproducts available. But in order to determine the diet of a bovine one must understand the nutritional aspect of the bovine as well--an aspect that has its complexities and variations as well. If you are looking to learn and ask questions about the diets and nutrition of cattle, you've come to the right place.
1,811 Questions
How many cattle will 100 acres support?
I've always heard that the rule of thumb is: One cow per acre or One horse per 3 acres. The difference is that a horse pulls up the grass and a cow cuts the grass.
Also - It can depend on where the property is... south Texas is more like 2 acres per cow, farther north can be 2 per acre.
What is so special about a cows stomach?
It's divided into four different chambers to help them digest coarse plant materials.
Yes, those are one of their favorite forages to munch on. Just be aware that the cows are not hungry when they're put out in a pasture or field of alfalfa. If they're hungry when fed alfalfa or are put on alfalfa pasture when there's still dew on the plants, they run a high risk of bloating.
Is it ok for cows to eat apples?
Not if you're intending on feeding them whole. You should consider cutting them up into cubes that are small enough that they can swallow them without choking to death on them. And only feed in moderation, as they are very starchy and can cause bloat if you feed too much at one time.
No. A cow only has one stomach with four chambers. No animal has three stomachs, nor any kind of multiple stomachs. All animals only have one stomach, but select species have one stomach with multiple chambers, like cows, sheep, llamas, deer and buffalo.
Cows are not predators, hence they do not have prey. As to what cows eat, that question has already been answered in a separate question, which can be seen below in the Related questions section.
What do cows eat the most of hay or grass?
If they were given a choice, they'd choose grass over hay any day. But during the winter months when there is no grass to eat, hay is their primary choice.
Many cattle don't eat any corn at all. Others will be "forced" to consume around 20 to 25 lbs of corn a day, particularly if they're finished in a feedlot in the Midwestern USA, for example. Other cattle may only consume 2 to 5 lbs of corn a day, depending on the reasons for their needing it.
Are there look-a-like liberty caps that grow on cow dung?
Yes there is.... and it is a NOT a liberty cap. As a rule... liberty caps will grow near dung..but not through it. if your picking...which is illegal remember.... IF IN DOUBT.... LEAVE EM OUT!. if your struggling for numbers..then find another field. Peace x
When can cows get food on their own?
Cows can get food on their own when they are out on pasture. The act to which they are able to do so is called "grazing."
What is the complete predicate in cows eat corn and other grains?
The complete predicate is "eat corn and other grains".
Why do cows eat 24 hours a day?
This is common misconception that you have started to believe. Cows and cattle do not eat 24 hours a day. They only eat around 16 to 18 hours per day, and spend the rest of the time resting to chew their cud, socializing with other cattle, getting milked (only if they're dairy cows), traveling back and forth to watering holes, etc. Cattle can only eat so much before they're stomachs get full.
Not really, maybe a little bit with the fresh stuff, but of course others will disagree with this statement. It doesn't smell as bad as cat or dog feces. When it starts undergoing anaerobic decomposition in a large pile, that's when the smell is all too noticeable.
What will highland cattle eat and do they eat vegetables?
It will eat grass and plants other cattle would rather avoid.
What percentage of corn do you use with oats to feed beef cattle?
None. If you get enough energy content with feeding oats (especially processed oats), corn is not necessary. However, it depends on the class and breed of beef cattle you are referring to, as well as environmental factors, additional feedstuffs given and accessibility. As such, a person could include anywhere from one percent to as much as 80 percent corn used with oats to feed beef cattle.
Sugarcane is a grass, so there's no reason why they wouldn't. Humans only use the stem part of the sugarcane plant, so the leaves of this tall grass would be fed to cattle as a sugarcane by-product, as well as what's left over of the stems.
What does against the grain mean?
If doing something goes against the grain, you're unwilling to do it because it contradicts what you believe in, but you have no real choice.
Yes, not all of them, but many. That is usually what steaks and hamburgers are made out of, and many people eat those.
There are also people who are vegans or vegetarian, and those people don't eat cows.
What does burning cow dung smell like?
The smoke is very thick, probably because of the presence of water in small quantities. It smells like a mixture of burning dry grass and non burning cow dung.
What is foggage and how do you make it?
Foggage is not a physical thing that you can make, touch or hold. According to the Meriam-Webster Dictionary, it is a Scottish term for a second growth of grass. According to TheFreeDictionary.com, it's a term that refers to grass grown for winter grazing, which may particularly refer to such areas where the climate is relatively warm and frost-free all year round that enables such a practice to occur.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs and Rural Development of the Province of Kwazulu-Natal (see related link below), foggage is a term that refers to what is known in North America as "stockpile grazing." For extra reading and comparison of what foggage versus stockpile grazing entails, see the related links below.
