| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| CloversMum |
Posted - Jun 23 2015 : 09:41:15 AM
MaryJane, how much does each of your cows get per day of Chaffhaye? |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| CloversMum |
Posted - Jul 03 2015 : 5:11:29 PM
So this morning I was over at MaryJane's farm while she milked and then fed her Jersey girls some Chaffhaye. And ... I've discovered I've been feeding Clover and Betsy WAY TOO MUCH! It just doesn't take too much; in fact, just a very large handful/medium scoop per cow. Poor Clover and Betsy ... they've been feasting and now its back to normal everyday eating for them. |
| CloversMum |
Posted - Jul 01 2015 : 07:54:19 AM
Ron, you are a great problem solver. Now, I wonder what I tell my neighbors when they come up missing a car hood? Maybe I can just take it from the truck that plowed into our heavy-duty mailbox! Actually, we've never found the culprit, but one of the local body shop owners could tell what kind of vehicle hit our mailbox based on the numerous parts left scattered in the road.
Does Norman also dance for alfalfa? Or is he more like MaryJane's bulls?
I am finding my cows and goats seem to like a mix. Perhaps they, too, like a bit of a variety in their diet?
I've also noticed with my goats (since I'm not milking Clover yet) that since giving them Chaffhaye, their milk production has not decreased like it usually does during hot summer temps, especially with the heat wave over last weekend. My goats' production remained the same! |
| Ron |
Posted - Jul 01 2015 : 05:53:06 AM
Harriet will tap dance for alfalfa |
| maryjane |
Posted - Jun 30 2015 : 9:53:35 PM
Pricing as you can imagine depends on how much a dealer can buy at a time, shipping costs, storage, mouse control costs, distance from Texas, wages to handle, and whether or not local delivery is provided. Factoring all that in, costs seem to range from $13.75 (ranch direct through a dealer) to $17/bag and sometimes $18. A woman called today who recently finished installing a Grade A goat dairy near here after moving to the Palouse from Arizona where she paid closer to $18 for Chaffhaye.
Two things I've noticed. The white patches that you find occasionally as explained in their brochure (yeast colonies) aren't a big hit with my crew because the Chaffhaye isn't as soft when that happens. When I see a handful of compacted Chaffhaye with the white on it, I break it up in my hands and toss it back in where it gets consumed.
Also, my bulls are acting like it's beneath them to eat Chaffhaye. When I give it to them, they put their heads in, pull their heads back out, and then push and shove each other around. Eventually, they eat it, but perhaps real bulls don't eat quichaye. It wasn't the instant hit with them that it was with my girls. |
| txbikergirl |
Posted - Jun 30 2015 : 8:04:06 PM
the only pricing i found was trolling the internet and it was $15 per bag, but can't even remember now if that was bulk or not ;>
i've been at the desk too long today... brain is a failing me |
| Ron |
Posted - Jun 30 2015 : 07:53:26 AM
Morning Charlene. When I didn't own a large tractor I used to move the round bales on a sled. Would take like an old car hood upside down, put a chain or cable on the front and use the small tractor to push it on it then drag where I could work with it. Tipping the bales on its end it would unwind easily and I would feed what I needed that feeding. A little clunky but if all you can get is rounds that system works sweet and really not as bad as it sounds...did that for years... |
| CloversMum |
Posted - Jun 30 2015 : 07:25:57 AM
Ron, your prices for Chaffhaye are right in the ballpark. Those are similar to the prices quoted to me by the people from Chaffhaye. For those of us who can't buy a ton at one time, then the individual bags are priced higher.
My cows and goats are on pasture and I want to supplement with the Chaffhaye. They will get both grass and alfalfa. I find my critters need more protein than the grass pasture or grass hay can provide. But I'm thrilled to find the Chaffhaye as people around here are baling their alfalfa into huge round bales and our little farm tractor isn't big enough to move those bales around. I love the 50 lb bags Chaffhaye comes in, along with the fact there truly is not any dust! |
| Ron |
Posted - Jun 30 2015 : 05:37:35 AM
Thanks for the input Mary Jane and Cindy. I was just wondering on the Chaffhaye if the sprayed or whatnot. I did send them an email to ask them. I know it is not unusual to be able to certify weed free and not have to spray up here. If you keep and eye on things and cut before seed heads form the alfalfa seems to choke out the weeds.
Yep Cindy. That's what I was looking at. The fodder system looked like it had lots of strong points but seemed labor intensive and possibly costly if you figured in wages and so on...would be good if maybe you were in a tough feed situation with small demands or very large scale with good labor and space.
Any input on costs for the bagged alfalfa in different areas . I talked to only one dealer in this area who said $14.00 a bag by the ton. Cheaper by the truck load or 1/2 truck load. ( 10'to 20 pallets ) |
| txbikergirl |
Posted - Jun 30 2015 : 04:47:49 AM
i know of two organic practice family farms w/in 5 hours of us that went whole hog into the fodder system a few years ago - and are both now selling off ALL their equipment. the time/cost benefit wasn't there for them. thought that was interesting. not sure if the payoff could work in places where you get a lot less rain, and perhaps have less mild winters than we do. |
| maryjane |
Posted - Jun 29 2015 : 7:34:04 PM
It isn't certified organic, just non-GMO. |
| Ron |
Posted - Jun 29 2015 : 6:05:59 PM
Called a local dealer...$14.00 a bag by the ton. Truck load is 20 ton. Emailed and asked if it is approved for organic producers.
Fodder system looked good in concept just seemed like much hoopla with the growing and so on. |
| maryjane |
Posted - Jun 29 2015 : 3:53:23 PM
I honestly don't think my cows would be able to break apart the root system when grown in a tray like they show. I suppose it could be cut. But it was cause for celebration when my kids could cut their own meat. |
| Ron |
Posted - Jun 29 2015 : 3:44:53 PM
Ghaffhaye, it's what's for dinner.
Ever get anymore feelings on the fodder systems or does it pretty much look like more aggravation than it's worth ?
|
| maryjane |
Posted - Jun 29 2015 : 3:41:41 PM
Cindy, I will be more observant and scientific about feeding rates and let you know. They aren't wanting as much as the back of the bag says but that's probably because they get some pasturing every day. I just had 6 pallets delivered. The Chaffhaye folks have been great to deal with and very together in my experience so far. I'm glad to hear you have a dealer nearby. For me, Chaffhaye has put the fun back into ringing the dinner (cow) bell.
Ron, straight alfalfa hay or even mixed alfalfa/grass hay is a different creature altogether than fermented cut-green alfalfa. I'm definitely noticing that there is a whole lot less tension about eating around here. They're more easily satisfied and for longer--very nice and welcome change and no waste (gotta love that). In the past you've said you supplement with flax pellets for protein from BuckWheatGrowers and that you've had a girl (not sure who) lose body condition on grass. Protein is tricky but like you said, their appearance will let you know how you're doing with what you're serving up. |
| Ron |
Posted - Jun 29 2015 : 04:30:40 AM
Charlene Harriet and most of the cows around here do very well on straight native grasses. Of course the alfalfa I put up is mainly for sale with some alfalfa grass mix held back for Harriet while pregnant. Had an old rancher here tell me straight alfalfa is not good for cows in winter cold. Told me they can't get the body heat from it...don't know how much truth in it...long story short, Betsy will do fine on grass if you have it. The way you supplement with minerals and so on grass is great! |
| CloversMum |
Posted - Jun 28 2015 : 9:36:56 PM
I think if you have good alfalfa hay, Ron, that is great! It is getting difficult to find good quality alfalfa hay around here. I liked the Chaffhaye in that not a bit goes to waste. Goats are famous for letting 1/3 to 1/2 hay fall to the ground and be wasted. I even saw my goats sniffing the ground to get any morsel of Chaffhaye leftover. Usually once the hay hits the ground, my goats don't think its fit for consumption any longer. But the Chaffhaye is expensive so not sure I can go 100%. But I'd like Clover and Betsy to get as much of it as possible. |
| Ron |
Posted - Jun 28 2015 : 4:34:15 PM
Hmmmm maybe I'm in the wrong business.... |
| txbikergirl |
Posted - Jun 28 2015 : 3:39:25 PM
MJ, how much does Miss Sally O'Mally weigh? And is she getting 1/4 bag per day? I found a few chaffhaye distributors within an hour of me. |
| txbikergirl |
Posted - Jun 27 2015 : 5:48:07 PM
MJ, have you thought of having the ultimate delivery team for miss sally o'mally do a chaffhaye pickup for you on the return trip home? I don't know if it would payoff, as they would have to head west to the western end of texas to do it... but perhaps it isn't that far out of the way. just a thought. |
| CloversMum |
Posted - Jun 26 2015 : 09:38:51 AM
Betsy and Clover are inhaling their chaffhaye. Not a bit left over! Do they need more? Or is it enough with them being out on pasture? The grass is definitely drying up with this heat wave, but there is still plenty out there. |
| CloversMum |
Posted - Jun 25 2015 : 08:25:52 AM
When I sampled the Chaffhaye, both my goats and cows preferred it over dry hay. But this is great proof, MaryJane. Sally O'Malley has good taste and knows what's good for her! I agree, Cindy, that she is a gorgeous cow and you already sound like a very proud cow mama!! The way it should be. |
| NellieBelle |
Posted - Jun 25 2015 : 04:46:46 AM
Very nice! She certainly likes the Chaffhaye over hay. |
| txbikergirl |
Posted - Jun 24 2015 : 7:11:03 PM
thats the purdiest cow in the world! |
| maryjane |
Posted - Jun 24 2015 : 2:15:27 PM
Here's my milk cow Sally O'Mally during her morning milking routine preferring Chaffhaye over dry hay.
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| maryjane |
Posted - Jun 24 2015 : 10:23:05 AM
1/4 bag for both your girls morning and night should do it. It does mine. If I give them any more than that, they get full and walk away. |
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