When it comes to turning cows onto pastures that contains a mixture of legumes and grasses, there is always a risk of bloat.
“There needs to be a bit of planning before cows are actually turned out into these mixed pastures,” says Barry Yaremcio, beef/forage specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Stettler. “Feed the cows a mixture of alfalfa and grass hay for three or four days beforehand so the bacteria in the rumen adjusts to the alfalfa in the ration. This way, when you turn the animals out into the pasture, there’s not that big a change in their diet.”
There are also a couple of products available that can help lower the risk of bloat.
“One is Bloat Guard, which is a powder mineral that can be put on pasture and that the cattle will eat free choice. There is also an additive for water called Alfasure you can get from a veterinarian that can work if the cows only drink out of a tank that contains the Alfasure.”
Yaremcio suggests turning cattle out in mid-afternoon when they are full. “The biggest meal of the day is first thing in the morning. Wet plants, especially alfalfa, increase the risk of bloat. If you turn the cows out at 2 p.m., they will have a smaller meal and the plants are drier.”
When cows do get a sore stomach, they look for something to reduce the discomfort. “You can put out a bale of straw in a round bale feeder and leave it. They will eat a pound or two and this will reduce the chances of them bloating.”
Source : Agriculture and Forestry