What Should I Feed My Cows?

Okay, now the excitement begins! 

1. Your first decision is to choose what animal you would like to produce, and where in Virginia you would like to produce it.  You may choose beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, or meat goats, or a combination. You are free to select any part of Virginia; this can be where you currently live or somewhere you have never heard of.  You may choose an animal and place that you are familiar with, but you may want to pick things outside of your expertise to increase your learning.  Once you have chosen a county, use the soil map below to determine what region you are in (this will be helpful as you continue with your project).

Virginia Soil Map

2. Now that you have selected your farm, it's time to do some research.  Below are some resources to help you identify different crops grown in your area.  You must come up with 4-6 crops that are grown within your region (1 of the 5 in the Virginia Soil Map), and address why and how they are grown in that specific region (this can include different forage plants). Write one short paragraph for each.  Below are some resources to help you.

Crops in Virginia - Virginia Cooperative Extension

Pasture and Forages in Virginia - VCE

 3. Next you will research the livestock animal that you chose, determining what feeds are appropriate for the animal.  Write one page that includes: 1) Your specie and how important they are in Virginia; 2) What types of feed are commonly fed to them and why;  3) What are some less common feed sources that can also be used (specific to your region in Virginia).  Below are some resources to help you in this process.  Feel free to use other resources as long as I approve them.

Beef Cattle

•  -Corn Gluten
• -Alternative Beef Cattle Feeds

• -Grazing Dairy Cattle

• -Feeding Sheep
• -Economical Feed Options for Sheep  

1. What you will feed at different stages of production (calving, lactation, weaning, maintenance, breeding, and gestation).  You do not need to list specific amounts; simply  list the proportion of the diet if you are feeding a combination of feeds. 
2. How each feed is harvested, whether grazed, ensiled, baled for hay, or other method
3. Whether feed is produced yourself or bought, and why
4. What grasses and/or legumes will be in your pasture (if you have pasture), and what type of grazing system you will use (rotational, continuous, strip, etc.)