Training their palates so cows eat noxious weeds is the topic. Producers will find this article intriguing and valuable. It is an interesting take on managing forage density.
Source: Modern Farmer, January 11, 2016.
For years, livestock educator Kathy Voth has been telling farmers and ranchers exactly this—that cows can be trained to eat broadleaf “weeds,” which can actually offer a more nutritious leaf-to-stem ratio than grasses. “About 30 percent of a pasture are plants that cows won’t normally eat,” she says.
INSIGHTS: If I were a livestock vet or a livestock rep, this article would be something I showed to and left behind with producers as spring pasture growth begins. Veterinarians can also include this information in clinic blogs, websites or newsletters or discuss it during VFD consultations. The economies are evident.