Cutting grass for cattle

yellow50HX

Here is one for ye!

Was over helping a neighbour today (not much else to to do but look out at the rain). He has an old single chop harvester that he takes out once or twice a year to cut the dykes as the council can't be arsed anymore. Anyway I was helping him fit it on the tractor and we got to talking.

With the way the weather is now he having to house the cows. He was thinking while he has it on the tractor could he use this to cut grass like it was made for and draw it in and feed it to cows like a zero grazer? The plan is to cut enough for the day and dump it at the barrier and push it into place for the cows? Anyone tried this and how did it work. Might need to be done for a while till the weather drys up.

moy83

I dont see why not if he has a trailer and the chute is on the harvester . There was a piece in the journal about a lad feeding grass to his bulls this way for the last few couple of years and he was happy enough with how it was working out

yellow50HX

Saw that alright, that fella had a 25k zero grazer.

Richk2012

yellow50HX wrote: »

Saw that alright, that fella had a 25k zero grazer.

How long would it take the fresh wet grass to start to heat ?? I mean if the cattle didnt eat it all in say 24 hours would the under side of the grass start heating?

Farmer Pudsey

You have to see how it goes the most you would get away with is two days feed at the time, but it would be cheaper than feeding silage.

moy83

He spent a few bob on it alright but that doesnt mean there would be anything wrong with using a cheaper set up .

yellow50HX

Yeah I was worried about heating but if it's a daily thing so that should be ok right. We have one at home but hasn't run in a while had a look at the frame but reckon its beyond help. We'll see how it goes. Reckon it's cheaper then opening the silage and probably better for the cows too.