Just remember that this time of the year is bad for low minerals in your cattle as the grass is growing fast and full of water but not a lot of nutrition. Make sure they have a good mineral lick. If you are on the coastal strip a good lick is on my health and nutrition page. Firestone my bull suffered low Magnesium last year at this time as I had slipped up feeding lick and stressed him by taking him to displays and transporting him but happily recovered very fast on the lick I recommend. Happy Dextering! Gillian
Well I was so surprised that the rain we received at Easter has been followed up by good regular rains. So we have nice green grass popping up everywhere this year. It is shaping up to be a good season so fingers crossed! Our lovely grade 3 Ebony has calved giving us a handsome red bull calf. From the shading in his calf coat we think he carries dun as well. He is polled and could be double polled as both his parents are polled. ( all these things can be tested for at additional cost) Reluctantly he and his mother are for sale as we have Ebony's mother daughter and granddaughter staying in the herd. If you are interested look at our for sale page. It is hard to part with our nice cows but the older ones are so well trained that we know when they go to new homes that their new owners will have an easy time with them and they may even teach them a thing or two. Also they are wonderful at showing young ones how to behave. Still waiting for our very fat shortleg Celtic Honour to calve. I thought she would beat Ebony but still waiting!! She is a first timer so keeping a close eye and the little red boy is waiting for a playmate! There are a couple more coming up in May so always something happening.
Just remember that this time of the year is bad for low minerals in your cattle as the grass is growing fast and full of water but not a lot of nutrition. Make sure they have a good mineral lick. If you are on the coastal strip a good lick is on my health and nutrition page. Firestone my bull suffered low Magnesium last year at this time as I had slipped up feeding lick and stressed him by taking him to displays and transporting him but happily recovered very fast on the lick I recommend. Happy Dextering! Gillian
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I just got my Weebly page back! I haven't been able to blog for ages and I have missed it! My page was removed for having inappropriate content but on review has been restored....Thankyou Weebly!!
I hope everyone had a lovely Easter ...it was early this year and so was the rain that came with it here in Western Australia. We got 43 mls over the Easter period and I know to my Tasmanian friends that doesn't sound a lot, but is at least twice the average for March for us that often doesn't even contain a drop. Now the wait begins for follow up rains as our sandy soils can't hang onto the moisture for long and needs regular top ups to keep that germinating grass going. Fingers and toes crossed. The green blush does look attractive but its useless to the cows that are locked up and being hand fed in the laneways until the grass can stand grazing pressure. At about the three leaf stage we let them have the first graze which increases the thickness of the pasture . It doesn't have much nutritional value but they sure enjoy it! Over the last few years we have been adding Bentonite clay to our pastures to aid in breaking water repellence and increase water retention. It is a slow job but we started around the homestead and are working outwards. The house (pregnant cow grazing) lawns have stayed greener this year so I think it is working! Bentonite is best known as kitty litter and can be bought in small amounts for cats or in larger amounts for agriculture. We buy the big bags and use it for our two house cats too....double the savings. I should do a blog on how to live on less than 20K a year lol. I have some weaning to get on to and some testing for polling and A2 to do then I can sort out which cattle are for sale. We had some lovely red heifers this year but I can't keep them all so question is which ones are for sale. On the outside there is nothing to pick from so maybe the tests will throw a light on which ones don't fit the brief for the studs future? Anyway best get outside, the sun is shining on that green grass and the cows are waiting for me to pop out that front door and bring them some treats. The door has a cow bell on it and they watch the door as well ...if they hear or see movement they are instantly hopeful for something to relieve the boredom of being in the long paddock. Sooo glad to be back! Gillian |
AuthorGillian is a Dexter breeder of more than 27years living on 36 acres. Previously been employed in the medical laboratory and veterinary fields. Was self employed in own small business with her husband. Now retired and still very busy with the Dexters. Interested in Dexters, health and nutrition with emphasis on prevention and an interest in alternative medicine for animals and people. Archives
December 2022
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