Added Value

But wait there is more…it is a line you hear from those trying to sell you something. It is called added value, something in addition to what is being offered. Most times it is just a ploy rather than a real bonus, but this story is not about commercialism, it is about cattle.

Since we moved the main herd across to the far, far field a couple of days ago we are feeding twice a day with supplemental hay.  The grass is so dried out it is very poor quality and the brush along the fence lines and understory growth in the forested area is limited supply, and the herd comes running when they see some sweet green hay getting tossed in a  meal line from the tractor.

But over the last couple of days we have noticed more and more of the younger critters, the six and seven month old ones in particular, are opting out of eating with the main herd and refusing to come out of the brush for mealtime. We investigated further by planning on rounding them up and aiming them toward the other feeding animals.

The calves are finding a new food source. The alder leaves have begun falling and the younger animals are ‘hoover-ing’ them up as quick as they are hitting the ground. The hot, dry summer has the leaves falling from the trees before they shrivel up completely and the calves enjoy the flavor.

Typically, the leaves fall after a couple of good freezes so this is early. This food source is short-lived because the struggling alder trees are simply giving up for this year of drought and heat, there are not many leaves to fall.

In the meantime the youngsters will snarfle as much as they can from this surprise added value of the far, far field.