We need your opinion on new categories!

[Farmer Kitty]

Some of you have wanted changes made to the categories we currently have. You got a taste with WildRoseBeef's thread on what needs to be considered for a new category. Now we need your input on what you think of the new arrangement for the Main Forum Categories.

Here's what we are currently considering:

BackYardCows - News, Information & Feedback

Calf 101
This forum is for discussing all calf concerns, beef and hand raised.

Feed, Forages and Pastures/Rangeland
This forum is for discussing feeding issues as well as growing forages and pasture/Rangeland.

Fencing, Housing, Manure Management
Emergencies/ Diseases/ Injuries and Cures

Predators and Pests

Milking

Wheres the Beef?
"This forum is dedicated to the discussion of all things beef cattle and may include graphic processing descriptions."

Cow Behaviors

Equipment & Supplies

Everything Else Cow

What do you think? Any suggestions or changes you would like to see made? Or have we covered your concerns?

 

[wynedot55]

looks good to me.

 

[Imissmygirls]

hmm... thinking about the lifecycle of a critter...
How do you feel about a Forum on breeding issues or is that under health/ disease?
You have Calf 101.
Heifer 201? Farmers always ignore heifers and their problems aren't always the same as cow problems.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Heifer 201? Farmers always ignore heifers and their problems aren't always the same as cow problems.

True. But, we also haven't had any questions on them yet. They could go into Everything Else Cow and if it becomes large enough topic then consider a category for them.

 

[GrassFarmerGalloway]

Current


BackYardCows - News, Information & Feedback

Raising Baby Calves

Feeding Time

Fencing, Housing, Manure Management

Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures

Predators and Pests

Milking

Cow Behaviors

Equipment & Supplies

Everything Else Cow




Revised:


BackYardCows - News, Information & Feedback Announcements, etc.

Calving and Raising Calves Info on birthing, grafting, raising babies, etc.

Feeds and Forages Grain, general feeding, etc.

Pastures and Haying Pasture, grass-feeding, hay-making, tending to pastures, etc.

Fencing, Housing, Manure Management Fence-building, shelter, manure management, etc.

Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures For sick and injured cattle

Predators and Pests Predators, Pests and how to deal with them

Milking ... Pretty much the title

Beef Cattle, Slaughter Techniques, etc. Beef Cattle, raising them, home slaughter, etc

Cow Behaviors What is your cow saying when she moos?

Equipment & Supplies What should be in a good emergency kit, etc.

Everything Else Cow Everything else cow

---

I think grass and haying should have their own thread. As WildRoseBeef mentioned, grass farming is an art, a class of it's own. It deserves it's own thread. It might cause confusion. Opinions?


I also changed the calving thread name.

 

[WildRoseBeef]

I think we need to change "Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures" to "Health and Nutrition" which'll cover everything from emergency sickness (disease, illness) and injuries to concerns on mineral/nutrition for cattle. Plus it's short and sweet and not a mouth-full to type out on the keyboard when referring someone to it.

But other than that, I like how you've figgered on laying it out, GFG. Except for the beef cattle part...What about just plain "All about the Beeves" and a description would be "Everything about beef cattle, from raising to slaughter". I dunno.

Now I'm lost on the deal with feeding, pasturing, etc. If someone were to ask about silaging, where would that go? Feeds and Forages? (I guess....) I'm also thinking about someone potentially asking about cropping practices to produce their own grain, but I guess that would go under Feeds and Forages as well...Okay, I think GFG has it sorted out a bit...

Next on the list, instead of "Cow Behaviours" how 'bout "Cattle Behaviour and Handling Techniques" since that'll cover everything from handling calves to bulls, but I hope it might not confuse someone when they're trying to find a place to post about building/renovating handling facilities...

Yep, I think that pretty much covers it. Not bad ideas, Galloways!

edit to add: I really like your ideas with the calving/raising calves, for one thing!

 

[kstaven]

I would agree with grassfarmer IF we had 2,000 members. With a smaller group the extra catagories will cause a stagnation of activity. I have experienced this on many other boards that split catagories to fast compared to numbers of contributors.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I would agree with grassfarmer IF we had 2,000 members. With a smaller group the extra catagories will cause a stagnation of activity.

Same here.

If one of the Feed, Forages and pasture/Rangeland sections should become very busy we can revisit it at that time.

Now I'm lost on the deal with feeding, pasturing, etc. If someone were to ask about silaging, where would that go? Feeds and Forages? (I guess....) I'm also thinking about someone potentially asking about cropping practices to produce their own grain, but I guess that would go under Feeds and Forages as well...

It quite clearly would go under Feed, Forages and Pastures/Ranges.

but I hope it might not confuse someone when they're trying to find a place to post about building/renovating handling facilities...

Quite clearly goes under Fencing, Housing, and Manure Management.

Calving and Raising Calves Info on birthing, grafting, raising babies, etc.

All covered under Calf 101. But, if someone is having a cow/heifer that is having trouble calving, don't come here! Call a vet! Info on what to expect would be okay.

Now having answered that I think what we have is okay.

As for

instead of "Cow Behaviours" how 'bout "Cattle Behaviour and Handling Techniques" since that'll cover everything from handling calves to bulls

That deserves some consideration.

I think we need to change "Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures" to "Health and Nutrition" which'll cover everything from emergency sickness (disease, illness) and injuries to concerns on mineral/nutrition for cattle.

Also deserves some thinking.

Plus it's short and sweet and not a mouth-full to type out on the keyboard when referring someone to it.

You can always use just the beginning word or two. They should be able to get it from there.

We'll consider the two above and get back to you.

 

[wynedot55]

ill passout if we get to 2000 members.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

ill passout if we get to 2000 members.

We'll arrange for someone to catch you!

More important is the number of active members. Some are just people registering their screen name so others can not use it. Especially, with the 4 sister sites.