The cattle on our dairy farm eat diets that are made specifically for them by a ruminant nutritionist. Here on the dairy we mix together individual ingredients to make a ration that is then fed to the cattle. In addition we do have some pasture to supplement the rations.
The ingredients are:
Dried Distillers Grain – this is the grain left from brewing and distilling spirits and is a good source of fat and protein.
- Dried Distillers Grain
Almond Hulls – Outer protective skin when the Almond grows on the tree
- Almond Hulls
Cotton Seed – the inner part of the cotton boll that is left after the cotton fiber is removed
- Cotton Seed
Various silages – made from Corn Plants, and various small grain plants
- Silage Bags
Alfalfa Hay
- Alfalfa Hay
Various minerals and vitamins
- Rumen Buffer
We also include steamed flaked corn, water and some concentrated energy additives to make the ration.
- Cow Food
To learn more about technical information on cattle rations please visit the blog of my great friend Jeff Fowle he is currently doing a series of posts on cattle nutrition.
Ray is a partner in the family owned Ray-Lin Dairy in Denair, Ca. The progressive farm family milks 475 cows and double crops corn & winter forage on 130 of the 240 acres with about 90 acres of pasture. The family also has 1200 ac operation in Klamath Falls, OR that raises alfalfa hay, wheat hay, and oat hay. To hear more from Ray you can follow him on Twitter or on the Ray-Lin Dairy Blog.
Tags: agriculture, california, California agriculture, california dairy farm, farm, food, Livestock
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