>
>Dave,
>Our New Zealand Friesian/ Holstein cross mature cows weigh in at around
>1050 pounds. Certainly not big but not excessively small. Calving ease
>has not been a problem, in fact we rarely assist a cow. We feel that our
>winter feeding program helps that more than anything else. The cows eat
>only a balanced ration of dry hay during the winter and they walk at
>least 1/2 mile a day to water. The herd produces a respectable amount of
>very profitable milk.
>
If you want to milk a cow of this size, you might as well just switch to
Jerseys..........
>
>Molasses is a rapidly digestible form of energy where corn is slower.
>Molasses at about 6 cents a pound isn't that much more expensive than
>corm at 4.5 to 5 cents a pound and works well in combination with it.
>
>Dave Forgey
>
But molasses is not as stable to handle in warm weather (which you already
know). Given that you're in the corn belt, already have existing storage,
contracting with a neighbor to grow your corn is a thought.
We just completed wrapping up a lot of baleage between the worst stretch of
rain I have ever experienced. Over 30 inches during the past two months,
way too much.
Dave G.
WisCOWsin
