Bedding scarcity

[FarmyStu]

Is a lack of affordable bedding a reason for dirty cattle or a reason to sell cattle on welfare grounds?

 

[spin cycle]

context?

 

[FarmyStu]

context?

E.g. I have some cattle in a straw bedded yard. I can't afford enough straw to bed them as I usually would. So the cattle are living in dirtier conditions than I'd prefer. Do I accept this or do I sell the cattle?

 

[spin cycle]

motive?

 

[Raider112]

E.g. I have some cattle in a straw bedded yard. I can't afford enough straw to bed them as I usually would. So the cattle are living in dirtier conditions than I'd prefer. Do I accept this or do I sell the cattle?

So are these cattle actually yours or are you trying to trip people up?

 

[Adeptandy]

I cant comprehend why I still have a stack of Barley straw in the yard, it was paid for harvest 19

 

[Hilly]

I cant comprehend why I still have a stack of Barley straw in the yard, it was paid for harvest 19

I thought you were delivering , I will pm you my postcode so fetch it this week please

 

[milkloss]

Depends what you call dirty? Wet? Damp but warm?dry but dirty? Squishy? It's all relative, everyone wants that crisp and dry ready-for-television look but it's not realistic (and probably not very 'green' either)

We are running dirtier this year but their welfare won't be suffering because of it.

 

[gone up the hill]

So are these cattle actually yours or are you trying to trip people up?

Is the OP the farmerstu that does farm inspections or is that another forum user??

 

[FarmyStu]

So are these cattle actually yours or are you trying to trip people up?

They're not anybodies cattle. But it is a scenario I've come across in years gone by and again this year. Saw someone last week who had no straw and was "bedding" on rushes in cubicles. Cows were filthy.

So what do people think? Is not being able to afford "adequate" bedding a reason to not adequately bed or does it mean that cattle aren't viable for you in the current climate?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Get it into perspective. Straw is about £35 ton up on last year . Thats not going to bankrupt anyone surly

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

What happened to outdoor wintering?
In many places cattle can be kept outside, especially those that have been allowed to grow enough coat. A bit of shelter is all they need and yes I know some soil types are completely unsuitable. The greatest issue is getting food to cattle and having an area that is firm enough to put feeders.
Health wise they are far better and compensatory growth when the grass grows is significant. There is the argument that they eat more, however I doubt that is more in value terms than the cost of the straw and it won't need spreading.

Personally I would rather see animals outside in the wet that covered in shite in a shed.

 

[An Gof]

So are these cattle actually yours or are you trying to trip people up?

Spot on someone throwing a mackerel .......

 

[Aspiring Peasants]

What happened to outdoor wintering?
In many places cattle can be kept outside, especially those that have been allowed to grow enough coat. A bit of shelter is all they need and yes I know some soil types are completely unsuitable. The greatest issue is getting food to cattle and having an area that is firm enough to put feeders.
Health wise they are far better and compensatory growth when the grass grows is significant. There is the argument that they eat more, however I doubt that is more in value terms than the cost of the straw and it won't need spreading.

Personally I would rather see animals outside in the wet that covered in shite in a shed.

Out wintering is just not an option in most parts of the country (certainly in the north) unless stocking rate is minimal.

 

[Beames]

They're not anybodies cattle. But it is a scenario I've come across in years gone by and again this year. Saw someone last week who had no straw and was "bedding" on rushes in cubicles. Cows were filthy.

So what do people think? Is not being able to afford "adequate" bedding a reason to not adequately bed or does it mean that cattle aren't viable for you in the current climate?

My suckler cows are in cubicles and bedded on rushes and they are not filthy. A few who won’t lie in them properly are a bit dirty but by no means filthy.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

My suckler cows are in cubicles and bedded on rushes and they are not filthy. A few who won’t lie in them properly are a bit dirty but by no means filthy.

Nothing wrong with rushes apart from the seed you spread

 

[Frank-the-Wool]

Out wintering is just not an option in most parts of the country (certainly in the north) unless stocking rate is minimal.

Having seen pictures of Limousin cattle (not Angus x) outside at 1800' on the forum which was certainly in the north to me and they looked fine so I am sure more could be outwintered.
I admit it depends on the soil type, aspect and shelter.

It is a debate that should be had with ever increasing costs of feed and bedding.
Many cattle with some native breeding do very well outside.
I have seen cattle in Southland, NZ that stay out as well as in Canada (Hereford and Angus) where temperatures are extremely low, but also low humidity. Large herds of Angus cattle in Eastern Europe

In the 1960's there were thousands of cattle (many friesians) that were outwintered across southern England on the Moors and Downland. Winters then were just as wet and definitely colder!!

 

[bluebell]

trouble today is the mild wet winters ? if dare i say it was a bit like canada in the winter cold but dry you could move about with all these lovely heated 4x4 tractors ? now the grounds wet the weathers mild ? cant get on the land to do anything without making a real mess ?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

trouble today is the mild wet winters ? if dare i say it was a bit like canada in the winter cold but dry you could move about with all these lovely heated 4x4 tractors ? now the grounds wet the weathers mild ? cant get on the land to do anything without making a real mess ?

You need sacrifice ground . Stubble fields of some sort , feed with forage wagon and move to a new strip every day . Take the feed to the cattle. Not bring the cattle to troughs

 

[czechmate]

Having seen pictures of Limousin cattle (not Angus x) outside at 1800' on the forum which was certainly in the north to me and they looked fine so I am sure more could be outwintered.
I admit it depends on the soil type, aspect and shelter.

It is a debate that should be had with ever increasing costs of feed and bedding.
Many cattle with some native breeding do very well outside.
I have seen cattle in Southland, NZ that stay out as well as in Canada (Hereford and Angus) where temperatures are extremely low, but also low humidity. Large herds of Angus cattle in Eastern Europe

In the 1960's there were thousands of cattle (many friesians) that were outwintered across southern England on the Moors and Downland. Winters then were just as wet and definitely colder!!

A nice look on December 17th