FRYed Thoughts

The thought of having grass growing 365 days of the year is great if you live around the equator, but where I live and farm is not like that. Here are some of the things I have learned, mostly by mistakes, on my grass-fed beef farm. These practices may not work for you in your area, but it may help someone in one way or another.

Grass does not grow the same day in and day out. What I am saying is grass is different during different times of the year and this will affect the taste of the meat. In the spring and early summer you have grass that is lush and grows leaps and bounds, this is the best time to finish cattle, but when the heat arrives and there is no rain, the grass will not have these qualities.

During the fall I drill wheat, rye grass, and clover, if there is enough moisture it will grow to an extent until it frost. The frost will stunt the growth for a short time, then it turns cold, this stops any growth at all, until the spring warmth comes. I do not care what all the grass-fed experts say, if you do not have any cool season grasses growing you can not graze what is not there.

I feed hay to my cattle during the winter. This is something that
has to be done where I live. I  do not think the quality of the meat will
be maintained to the quality a person wants when forages change throughout the year.  I am starting to feed silage with citrus or beet pulp year round. In my mind this will keep a steady food source in front of the cattle I am finishing and also I will feed my cows with calves on their sides to provide extra energy to assist in raising her calf.

Having a grass-fed beef operation is not easy or cheap. I believe I have an obligation not only to take care of my farm for my children, I am also obligated to take the best care of my animals. Spending a little money on these animals with help with a much greater return.