backgrounding calves on swaths

[kpb]

grassfarmer, I agree with cs wilson and cowman, your plan is very sound and should work with no problems. We've taken silage off the same land here for 15 years (at least) with no reduction of yields.
Cowman, I think you are right all the way through your post. We feed a lot of silage here and it is, in my opinion, the best feed for feeding calves because it is so easy to mix barley, supplement and mineral well so that all the calves get the same ration. We have a feed mill too so that it is easy to put in the exact amount of barley you need. But I think silage is generally too rich a feed for cows.


kpb

[grassfarmer]

Thanks folks for the encouragement, I thought I had a fair plan but was discouraged when it was given the thumbs down by Alberta Ag forage specialists, Prairie seeds rep and Grey Wooded forage assn. rep. I do value opinions from people actually on the land - sometimes these book smart types have impressive knowledge but they don't always have knowledge AND wisdom.

[Cattleman]

Emerald, you will have to get yourself one of those camera's to set up in the barn or shed, barn works well if you put the animal in a pen just have to switch channels on the TV and you are checking an animal!! A wonderful investment for $200 plus the cable!! Saved many of trips on checking/disturbing the animal. The reduced "disturbing" part is as valuable as the convenience.