Feed management, Handling practices, Housing, Veterinary care
My Goal
Here at Royal Glenn Acres, my goal is to bring out all the best in these little Irish treasures; through a balanced, complete, organic, feeding routine. Rotational grazing. Careful use of veterinary practices, commonly available remedies, and maintaining a symbiotic environment.
Grazing
Throughout the summer the cows are rotated daily, mostly, sometimes weekly, giving each paddock a break of up to two weeks before it is grazed again. That gives the grass and soil time to rejuvenate and improve before the cows blissfully munch it down again. The grass benefits greatly from having that break. This routine also disrupts the cycle of flies, hindering their productivity, and sparing the cows from a parasite overload.
The cows are most often fenced in single-line hotwire paddocks which are moved up and down a permanent alleyway. The alleyway leads to the water tanks, which are refilled daily, so as to keep fresh and clean for all the mammas.
Sometimes, they are run inside of the chickens' woven electric fence. Doing that is entertaining! And a lot of work! To make that work, the entire setup has to be moved daily. The mobile chicken coop is pulled ahead by either Butler or one of the moms. All the critters in the woven fence are released, the fence is dropped, drug to the next paddock space, setup, then everybody is herded back in. The work is intensive, but the benefit of it is obvious each time the paddocks grow back.
Supplements
Everybody is supplemented with Thorvin organic kelp, Redmond loose salt, Redmon mineral conditioner, locally grown organic grains (to adjust protein and fat content as needed), electrolytes in their water, occasionally Digest 911, and when absolutely necessary I will use some of the "natural" vitalix protein tubs. Kelp has always played a big part in keeping the cows in good shape. It works just as fast as a BoSe shot to correct problems caused by selenium deficiency! Maintaining the right selenium levels through feeding kelp also helps to keep cows' uterus soft and supple, allowing the calf proper movement, a much more comfortable mamma, and easier birth.
Winter management
In the winter the milking girls are housed in a barn with a free-stall and feed-pannel arrangement which is cleaned by hand daily. They also have a small turn-out paddock. The beeves, rising heifers, dry or non-milker cows, and bull are mostly outside, although they have a run-in shed, and plenty of bush and tree wind-brakes in their winter paddock. Supplements are the same, though amounts may change depending on the conditioning of the cows, and what point in their lactation the moms are.
Training
All calves are given a basic start in halter training within 2 days - 2 weeks of birth. From then on, the amount of training they get depends on how likely each one is to be kept, or sold, for breeding stock. By the time they are yearlings, the keepers have learned to lift their hooves, back up, yield back end, and calmly stand tied.
Milking arrangements
I divide my moms by nurse moms and milkers. Any potential "bull moms" get to keep their calf on full time so that the calf gets a proper education for his future job. At calving, I choose which moms to milk, and which are to be nurse moms for the year. The calves belonging to the milkers are placed on nurse moms, that way I can milk full time, while the calves have uninterrupted time with the nurse moms. Which cows are used for what is determined by temperament, mothering skills, and milk supply.
Calves are generally weaned by 4 or 5 months old so I can get the extra liquid gold for family use.
Use of barn
During the Spring, Summer, and Fall the only cow traffic in the barn is for daily milking times, calving, quarantining, securing for training, or vetting. Otherwise, the herd is free to enjoy creation without the hassle and silliness of living in-doors overly much.
As much as the terrain allows, the paddock alleyways are channeled to the barn for ease of management.
Veterinary care
I haven't needed to have a vet out for years! Problems that require a vet's assistance have been pretty rare around here. This is one area that I love to study and put to practice myself. In most cases, I'm able to catch problems on time to correct it by utilizing what I've learned of Young Living oils, Homeopathic Remedies, or simply adjusting supplements. I might have to call a vet to ask advice on what the problem really is, but I've never yet needed to have him come out. I do not vaccinate, use hormones, drugs, or pesticides. (Personal reasons aside; I have no need to, my cows are healthy and happy without.) Spending quality time with the herd is the only way to be prepared to give the care they need.
