in the diet too quickly. ….
in the diet too quickly. Adapt cattle to grains over a period of time to allow the rumen to adapt to the new feedstuff. If feeding or grazing cereal grains or weeds, get nitrate tests done. Many weeds, like kochia, and cereal grains accumulate nitrates and are especially high this year due to drought. Most local Extension agents have the ability to test for nitrates using the Nitrate Strip Test, which is a quantitative measurement, meaning that an approximate concentration of nitrates in the sample can be provided.”
“We have been asked about feeding cattails, which are very thick stemmed and not eaten well. They should be ground and mixed with other hay to improve intake of them, but remember, they have little nutrient content,” Van Emon added. Although there is talk about feeding hemp, it has not been approved as a cattle feed and should not be fed.
She urged ranchers to discuss feeding options with Extension agents or beef cattle nutritionists to make sure they’re meeting nutrient demands of the herd.
