Lawn Cuttings - Feed to Cattle?

lanod2407

I've been told that it's ok to feed lawn cuttings to cattle but I don't agree - if only because I've not seen anyone else do it, and I'd imagine that they could be eating something they don't want that's been chopped up??

Anyone got anything more scientific?

mahoney_j

lanod2407 wrote: »

I've been told that it's ok to feed lawn cuttings to cattle but I don't agree - if only because I've not seen anyone else do it, and I'd imagine that they could be eating something they don't want that's been chopped up??

Anyone got anything more scientific?

Most definetly not,my dad used to do this up to 2 years ago.list 3 calves because of it with ragworth poisoning .never again

dh1985

You could also pick up stuff like dog crap in it.

onyerbikepat

I would say no, too. Dogs sh1te in lawn grass - a good way of spreading Neospora.

munkus

onyerbikepat wrote: »

I would say no, too. Dogs sh1te in lawn grass - a good way of spreading Neospora.

+ 1 on the dog shyte

Oldtree

I was told it can be too rich/sweet and put them off their normal grass. Dosn't stop them howling for it when I mow the lawn though.

Miname

i feed it, i dont have ragworth on the lawn and i watch out for dog crap, not saying i dont pick an odd bit up. Theres a certain level of caution needed in farming but its getting a bit ott.

jimmy2pens

I have heard that because the grass is short and fine the cows do not really chew on it and it goes straight to the stomach and cause a gas build up, especially if they got access to a large amount of grass cuttings. Ya plus 1 on the dog crap.

kurtainsider

Not being funny but what is silage only chopped up grass - with the odd phesant through it?

Figerty

Been doing of for years without an ounce of trouble. If the cows hear the lawnmower and the tractor they come running.
They ignore the tractor if they don't hear the lawnmower. The lawn, if you could call it that gets cut about every two weeks which means the grass isn't too short.
If you cut the lawn very fine and have a lot of it, then it can cause problems

gozunda

Lawn clippings have been linked with laminitis and colic in horses which can be fatal. Colic caused by compaction of material in the gut and laminitis from excess carbohydrate / high nitrogen levels. This may be an issue with cattle as cattle can consume large amounts of lawn clippings in a short time potentially causing similar problems

Lawn clippings can't be compared with silage either as lawn clippings havn't been fermented / made more digestible.

The other big problem is not knowing what has been spread or sprayed with and the major problem of Neospora from dog sh1t. That is with people throwing lawn clippings into adjoining fields.

Better not to all things considered.

Zr105

gozunda wrote: »

Lawn clippings have been linked with laminitis and colic in horses which can be fatal. Colic caused by compaction of material in the gut and laminitis from excess carbohydrate / high nitrogen levels. This can be an issue with cattle as cattle can consume large amounts of lawn clippings in a short time potentially causing similar problems

Lawn clippings can't be compared with silage either as lawn clippings havn't been fermented made more digestible.

The other big problem is not knowing what has been spread or sprayed with and the major problem of Neospora from dog sh1t. That is with people throwing lawn clippings into adjoining fields.

Better not to all things considered.

Id be guessing the op(or anyone on here that is doing it) would be talking of their own lawn clippings so will know exactly what has been used on their own lawn?

Also i notice a lot of people listing dogs and neospora, do you not think the risk is equal to bringing the dog up the field after cattle and it picking up a scent and dirting to mark its own territory? Dont get me wrong i fully understand the concern for neospora, but in reality if its your lawn and your dogs there wont be much to stop the dog going in the field anyway?

gozunda

Zr105 wrote: »

Id be guessing the op(or anyone on here that is doing it) would be talking of their own lawn clippings so will know exactly what has been used on their own lawn?

Also i notice a lot of people listing dogs and neospora, do you not think the risk is equal to bringing the dog up the field after cattle and it picking up a scent and dirting to mark its own territory? Dont get me wrong i fully understand the concern for neospora, but in reality if its your lawn and your dogs there wont be much to stop the dog going in the field anyway?

Get what you are saying but the amount if dog sh1te on a lawn is way above anything caused by a casual walk in the field. The other point I was making was the frequent fly tipping by people of lawn cuttings into or adjacent to fields where cattle can access. I have a neighbour on a main road who regularly gets large amount of grass clippings dumped into his fields. So yeah It is a potential problem and the danger of Neospora can't be underestimated in my opinion.

zetorman

What about clippings from local GAA pitch ??? I am involved with our local club here and getting rid of the stuff is a huge problem for us. Two pitches cut every week during the summer. Am very tempted to take it for a few weeks. Was going to tip it in slatted house where cows line up for milking. We always give them the lawn clippings and no bother. Bit worried about the bigger amount though ??????????

joejobrien

The situation with neospare is to and keep the burden/challenge low.The use of lawn clipping increases this burden .There is a severe cost to any farmer if they get an outbreak of this disease in there herd. If one hasnt got it and using clippings should consider themselves lucky.
A for neighbours isnt it a form of dumping??????

onyerbikepat

You think Neospora is a very low threat untill you loose cattle to it, like I did. I cut it out after that.

lakill Farm

i do throw it to the yearlings. Is they want they can eat it. Maybe 3 wheelbarrow loads every week between 10 or 15.

Used to work with farmer for 5 years and all grass was given to the sheep. i often asked why not put up sheedp wire in the lawn and save me 6 hours every week. :rolleyes:

gozunda

zetorman wrote: »

What about clippings from local GAA pitch ??? I am involved with our local club here and getting rid of the stuff is a huge problem for us. Two pitches cut every week during the summer. Am very tempted to take it for a few weeks. Was going to tip it in slatted house where cows line up for milking. We always give them the lawn clippings and no bother. Bit worried about the bigger amount though ??????????

If you have large amounts a possible solution would be to make silage from it and reduce the levels of any possible contaminants and nitrate levels

Either baled or ensilled it should work ok

Found this - wouldn't bother with the plastic bags tbh

http://smallfarmcanada.ca/2014/making-forage-on-a-very-small-scale/

Used to feed sheep in this study

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/ag_natr/grassclippings-tm.pdf

royalmeath

If you have a dog running around dumping all over your lawn then dont give it to the stock, otherwise work away.
My uncle used to cut the grass in the local graveyard and the grass never did a bit of harm to anything.

131spanner

We've no dog nor ragworth. We dump it out the field and they seem to take no interest in it, the cows might give it a smell or that and the calves either lie on it or go pucking at it

GrandSoftDay

131spanner wrote: »

We've no dog nor ragworth. We dump it out the field and they seem to take no interest in it, the cows might give it a smell or that and the calves either lie on it or go pucking at it

Yerra...bad grass down your way

131spanner

GrandSoftDay wrote: »

Yerra...bad grass down your way

Between rushes and stones it's slim pickings now! We'll have to close the lawn for silage at this stage!

GrandSoftDay

131spanner wrote: »

Between rushes and stones it's slim pickings now! We'll have to close the lawn for silage at this stage!

Haha, you did a great bit of licking last year. Great to see the hoors dying!

131spanner

GrandSoftDay wrote: »

Haha, you did a great bit of licking last year. Great to see the hoors dying!

It was badly wanted though! There's still some spots that could do with it but we never got to travel It's often a better job than topping I think

GrandSoftDay

131spanner wrote: »

It was badly wanted though! There's still some spots that could do with it but we never got to travel It's often a better job than topping I think

Looks a good job to me anyway and it's awkward enough do with the tractor. What ratio did you mix the stuff at?

131spanner

GrandSoftDay wrote: »

Looks a good job to me anyway and it's awkward enough do with the tractor. What ratio did you mix the stuff at?

I'm not 100% sure, must ask the boss man how are things shaping up on yer side for the silage season?

Phil_Lives

Depends on what your lawn is; field grass or lawn grass. A few years after laying the lawn it'll be field grass either way as field grass is hardier. If it is not contaminated and there aren't horses around then work away.

Green farmer

Ive given it to my sheep in the month of April when their still in the shed and the grass is starting to be cut. A few bags amongst a lot of sheep doesn't go far. They inhale it. I've no dogs though.

Greengrass1

A friend had 10 incalf heifers abort that he had bought after his neighbour put lawn clippings across his ditch.
Get you dog tested to see if he has neosporsa. If he doesn't.
Neighbour has half a dozen greyhounds and he tests the dogs before he buys them because he exercises them on a paddock the cows graze.

frazzledhome

Let cows into lawn, sorted

Greengrass1

frazzledhome wrote: »

Let cows into lawn, sorted

We'd all like to do that but I doubt we'd get away with it if the wives were around

GrandSoftDay

131spanner wrote: »

I'm not 100% sure, must ask the boss man how are things shaping up on yer side for the silage season?

I don't see anything done yet anyway. Only go with them now if they are very busy. Have enough work to be doing at home!

Reggie.

frazzledhome wrote: »

Let cows into lawn, sorted

Wanna do that but the boss forbids it

ipod

i collect lawn grass put it in plastic barrels.it makes nice silage for sheep nice smell when i open the lid.they love it.