Seasonal beef and dairy production

  • R. C. Martin Plant Sci. Dept., Nova Scotia Agricultural College, Box 550 Truro, Nova Scotia

Abstract

Many people in agriculture recognize the urgency of harvesting cultivated crops at the optimum time but they might allow pasture forages to grow, mature and even wither without notice. The more I watch grass grow, the more I think that it should be harvested when it is most available, at optimum quality. However, as much as possible, we should arrange for animals to harvest it. They don't complain if they work at night, they use no gasoline and they will leave lots of fertilizer in the field, where it is required. Ruminant animals have particular advantages because they convert human inedible feedstuffs such as forages to human edible food with an optimal mix of amino acids (Anonymous, 1996). I have proposed to milk dairy cows as a herd, when forage is most available and to dry them off as a herd, for 2 months during the winter or dry season, when forage is least available (Martin, 1991). Furthermore, beef cattle can also harvest forages, when the grass grows best.
How to Cite
MARTIN, R. C.. Seasonal beef and dairy production. Pastos y Forrajes, [S.l.], v. 21, n. 2, feb. 2012. ISSN 2078-8452. Available at: <https://payfo.ihatuey.cu/index.php?journal=pasto&page=article&op=view&path%5B%5D=1073>. Date accessed: 21 nov. 2019.
Section
Análisis y comentario