I wish my camera and computer had smell-o-vision, then I could
do this photo justice. This is a picture
of the feed that my brother’s cows eat every day. This is called TMR (total mixed ration). It’s like a big salad or hotdish. My brother mixes all of the feed that his
cows need for their daily nutrient requirements. Just like humans, cows need energy
(calories), protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Dairy farmers build their diets on a solid
base of forage. Forage is plant material
that is harvested from the field, it is the complete plant that is chopped into
bite sized pieces for the cows to eat and chew.
My brother feeds a combination of chopped up corn, alfalfa and oat
plants. May is the beginning of hay
season so fresh alfalfa is on the menu for the cows. If you look closely at this picture you can
see the bright green stems. Fresh
alfalfa is very aromatic. The smell is
hard to describe; it’s like fresh cut grass but better. This TMR smells so delicious I might even
consider eating it and the cows just eat it up!
Milk production is increasing a little too because the cows are eating a
little extra feed. Fresh feed is such a
treat for the cows! Eat up girls!
