Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1877-05-11
Turning Cows to Pasture.

There is great difference Of opinion among
dairymen in regard to the time when cows
should be turned to grass. Many contend
that all kinds Of stock should be kept off
pasture grounds during spring until there is
a good growth of grass. In other words,
the herbage must have obtained such a start
that the stock will not be able TO eat it down
short during the season, and thus they be-
lieve a supply is more fully insured.
Another plan, practiced by many, rs TO
let stock have the full run Of pastures as
soon as the snow is off the ground, allowing
il to pick on the old grass and eat of the
early vegetation as soon as it springs up
The chief reason urged for this latter course
is, that the change from hay to grass in
feeding should be as gradual as possible, in
order that stock may be kept in good health !;
that, if cows in spring are turned suddenly
from dry food upon luxuriant pasturage, the
change is very liable to produce serious
troubles-excessiv scouring-bloating and
other disorders that impair health, often for
considerable length Of time, and even If
they do not lead to the total loss Of the ami
NAL, they cause the loss of her milk for long
er or shorter periods.
Now middle course, between the two
plans named, we think, is to be preferred
and will give the best results. In the first
place, it may be remarked, pasture lands
will be injured in productiveness by allow
ing stock to roam over the fields early in
spring before the ground is settled, and
while it is soft and easily trodden. The
"poaching of the land" by the frequent
tread Of cattle, destroys the grass in places
while the surface is rendered uneven or filled
with holes made by the feet of cattle. Again,
when the frost is coming out of the ground
it is often rendered so loose in texture that
the roots Of grasses are easily pulled out and
cows feeding on the old herbage not unfre-
quently injure the turf by pulling up grass
by the roots 1t will be advisable then not
to turn stock upon pastures until the ground
is fully settled, and is not in condition to be
injured by the feet of cattle. Nothing is
gained by allowing pastures to get tall
growth of grass before turning stock upon
them, because they tramp the herbage down
in places, and by neglecting to feed other
portions down, it soon becomes hard and
woody and will not be eaten.
Grass is sweetest and gives the best re-
suits 10 milk when it is eaten off at regular
intervals and is not allowed to get largo
growth. In this way the product is greater
while the exhaustion to the soil is less than
1t is where tufts Of grass are allowed to
mature and 60 to seed. Cows ought not to be
turned at once from hay to pasture, since
sudden change Of this kind will be apt to
affect their health. A better way is to give
them the run of pastures for an hour or two
at first, and SO allow them gradually, from
day to day. to become accustomed to the
the change of food, and they should be fed
from time to time with hay after they have
been turned to pasture altogether. Cows
will frequently eat greedily Of hay when
they have been out to pasture for consid-
erable length of time and rations Of hay will
often be found useful in correcting tendency
of looseness of the bowels or securing.
Some dairymen are in the habit Of giving
salt to animals at certain intervals Of time,
but the better way is to keep it constantly
before them or within their reach 80 they
can take it daily or at will. Nature regu-
lates the quantity of salt needed much better
than it can be done by portioning it out at
intervals, and if the animal always has il
within reach there is no danger Of over-feed-
ing and the milk will show less variation in
character. An important point to be observ'
ed in the management Of milch-stock is tC
keep them in healthy, thrifty condition
and if cows on turning to grass, are inclined
to lose flesh and run down weak and thin
they should be fed rations of ground grair
and thus kept up to the maximum of health
and strength.