Cause & Effect

Today I'm going to touch on the importance of good feed.  This past summer we experienced a drought, which is so rare in our part of the country!  Although it was a beautiful summer, in terms of it being sunny every day and warm (if not hot) temperatures.  This made the summer very enjoyable because you never had to worry about if your plans were going to be rained out.  Unfortunately, for those of us who farm or have livestock, that is not a very pleasant summer at all.

Because of the drought, our hay season was cut short.  Our hay didn't grow like it normally did so we would wait for it to get taller so it would be worth cutting.  But in doing so, the hay quality goes down.  The nutrients were slowing draining out of the grass and alfalfa (because it was drying out). This has been evident this winter in our animals because usually our animals come out of winter in bit on the chubby side.  This year it's been a struggle keep a healthy weight on them.  We are forced to supplement the, otherwise nutritious, hay with grain, of which the price also increased due to the drought.  We just can't win!

A typical year we get 3 cuttings on our hay fields, sometimes even 4.  This past summer we got 2 cuttings and the cuttings were small.  We weren't the only ones in our area with that same problem!  Everyone was in the same boat as us and had to buy hay.  The hay farmers raised their prices (ya know, supply & demand) and hay still sold out quickly!  And because the nutrients are lower in the hay this year, we've had to increase our feed.  It's a lose-lose situation this winter, a snow-ball effect. 

Sometimes I wonder if we will ever be rid of the snow so we can turn them out on pasture!  Fortunately, our pastures are rich with nutrients.  We spent the extra money and planted each of our pastures with a good pasture mix and do a pasture rotation for all of the animals.  Pasture management is key to keeping your pastures working for you. 

I'm not going to get into grain and all of its pros and cons...I've still got much to learn before I post on that subject.  All I know is that we are struggling with our hay this year and it's all because of the drought of 2012.  I'm hoping this coming spring/summer/fall will be better!

Here's to the warmer weather!

Until next time!

 

Quote for the Day:

"Be faithful to that which exists within yourself."

-Andre Gide