Is one cow & calf enough for safety?

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I am considering getting a bred cow & calf to winter over on my property (not where I live), but am concerned that coyotes will pose a threat to the current calf and possibly to the calf-to-be in the spring. These would be the only animals on the property. Can anyone offer any advice? Also, is it a good idea to do this at this time of year? My pastures went ungrazed all summer, and even though it doesn't snow here except rarely, I would expect to have to supplement the pasture with some hay. Is this realistic? These would be my first cattle, although I've raised lots of other animals. Thanks in advance for any advice.

-- Laura Jensen (lauraj@seedlaw.com), November 05, 2001

Answers

I suppose it depends on what part of the country you are in and how big a problem the coyotes have been in your area with that big of an animal. Here in central Wisconsin we have coyotes right behind us in the woods but have never had a problem with them killing calves or even chickens. Check around with your neighbors and see what is happening with their animals and you'll know what to do.

-- Pat (mikulptrc@aol.com), November 05, 2001.

Laura, you will have to supplement your pastures almost totally. At this time of year there is almost no food value left in the summers growth of grass. If, next year, you mow ocassionally to keep the grass from going to seed, then allow about 12-14 inches of growth before cold weather sets in, that "stockpiled" grass will have some grazing value. It might help to do some research on intensively managed grazing.

The coyote question is going to depend on how good your fencing is, whether you can bring the animals in at night, and how hungry the local coyote population gets.

If you have sufficient access to hay, this is as good a time as any for purchasing cattle -- prices may be down a little, as people want to cut back on the number of animals they have to feed at this time of the year.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), November 05, 2001.


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