Donna, from Dandridge, TN

[Donna R. Raybon]

Cows are amazing. Our civilization is literally built upon ancient 'cattle cult.' Laurie Winn Carlson's book Cattle: An Informal Social History should be required reading.

 

[Southern by choice]

Sad thing is today's culture is trying to destroy the cattle industry. Both beef and dairy. Just read today another dairy closed it's doors. So very sad.
Can't wait to see some pictures! Maybe you'll want to start a journal. There is a section for journals.

 

[Farmer Connie]

 

[RollingAcres]

Can't wait to see some pictures! Maybe you'll want to start a journal. There is a section for journals.

X2!

 

[Donna R. Raybon]

There were almost four hundred dairies in our county back in the day. I think there are only six left? And, by far Blackburn is smallest with only milking tops about 35 head.

A lot of things are contributing to pressure on beef/dairy. The ability to milk tens of thousand of cows on a single operation is certainly contributing to squeeze out of family farms. Average commercial dairy Holstein cow makes it two and a half lactations before she is culled due to health problems. We in USA eat a lot of dairy cow hamburger and don't know it!!!

Seven billion people are going to make some changes in the world. That is a fact.

 

[RollingAcres]

I think, sadly, that nowadays, in any kind of farming, if you don't go big you might as well go home. Can't make it as a small operation.

 

[Mike CHS]

A belated Welcome Donna. It looks like you have a lot to offer to the forums.

 

[Southern by choice]

Don't know if you started a journal yet but since you have Nubians and are familiar with the breed I want to chew your ear for a minute.
We noticed on our DHI info Ruby (our Nubian) is always borderline for Fat protein inversion. This happened to her last year and we almost lost her... we didn't have the data then that we do now but it all lines up with that being the cause. We see a lot of Nubians with metabolic issues ( I suspect Fat protein inversion for many), we certainly don't want them... we are working on reducing protein.
She's 8 and last year was the first time there was an issue. She is milking 10# . We are consulting with some "experts" in the field but not getting anywhere. Seems many are just so convinced high protein for milkers is the way to go yet data says otherwise. Do you know anything about reducing protein? I think I may have to go to a dairy cattle expert.

 

[Donna R. Raybon]

Ah, had to go read up on what you were talking about as it has been a long time since on test. What you are seeing may be due to lack of long fiber in diet with rumen acidosis a result???

What kind of feed/forage/browse are you feeding? Feeding alfalfa hay means you need to ensure goat eats stems and all, not just the high protein/low fiber leaves. Grain mix would then need to be something like corn, oats, barley which are low in protein. I have been to visit other breeders and found hay feeders full of alfalfa stems where goats eat the leaves, leave the stems and are then fed more..... and are not getting long stem fiber they need.
With a good second or later cutting of grass hay, you feed a 16% concentrate. According to Harvey Considine, you can cut up to a third with whole oats.

Dropping in milkfat can sure be an indication of rumen upsets. How are their feet? Any overgrowth or hardship lines? I never was a fan of baking soda, instead I would ensure I fed hay at least thirty minutes before I fed concentrates so they had enough long fiber to naturally buffer with cud chewing.

Have you called Lisa Shepherd and talked to her at ADGA?

 

[Southern by choice]

No, I haven't talked to Lisa. That is a great idea! Thank you. The thing is all our goats are on the same diet. She is right now the only one with the issue. We had one borderline.
We have plenty of forage and she mostly has orchard or orchard/alfalfa mix. Good on long stem She doesn't like straight alfalfa and with the inversion she really tends to back off anything rich. The good news is she definitely listens to her own body. We do not overgrain. We feed 17% non sweet feed. Access to hay and forage 24/7. Only feed on the stand.
I will be doing a mineral analysis on her soon and looking at that and possibly do some blood work as well.
No baking soda here.