Cows eating candy during the drought page

[Grok]

Whatever you do, don't feed them grass...

MAYFIELD, Ky. (CNN/WPSD) - Ranchers have struggled with skyrocketing corn prices, because the drought has made feeding their livestock very expensive. But one rancher has turned to a very sweet solution.

At Mayfield's United Livestock Commodities, owner Joseph Watson is tweaking the recipe for success.

"Just to be able to survive, we have to look for other sources of nutrition," he said.

His 1,400 cattle are no longer feeding off corn. The prices, Watson says, are too high to keep corn in stock. So earlier this year, he began to buy second-hand candy.

Cows eating candy during the drought

[dragonmamma]

He not just feeding them candy, but he's PROUD to be doing it. Sheesh. I'm sure glad I don't eat supermarket meat anymore.

[UniqueTII]

It's good for them, though, because they're getting fatter faster. Just like children.

[quelsen]

OK OK OK


WTHFH

this man raised cattle in the number one grass producing state in the nation and he cant let his cattle graze? WTFN?

this isnt texas ppl
WE get once cow fed per acre. not per hectare

[Daemonized]

Given that he's also feeding them some sort of silage and is using the candy to raise the calories; the cows might be getting more nutrients than ones that are being finished purely on grain . (And it's not like things are going to be ending well for any cow that's being finished).

[gregpoole]

Hmmmm.....M & M T bones. Main meal and dessert all in one!

[palebluedots]

Well, I guess candy is pretty much filled with corn products anyway. Quite amusing. Glad I don't eat that stuff.

[spughy]

Ok, I think this is a dumb idea, but when there's a drought, there isn't any grass for them to eat anyway. We're not even IN a drought here but our cows are on mostly hay at the moment because the grass isn't growing simply due to normal dry conditions at this time of year. IIRC this drought started well before normal haying time, too.

[ecole66]

Ok, I think this is a dumb idea, but when there's a drought, there isn't any grass for them to eat anyway. We're not even IN a drought here but our cows are on mostly hay at the moment because the grass isn't growing simply due to normal dry conditions at this time of year. IIRC this drought started well before normal haying time, too.

Very true. We are in a very severe drought here and there is nothing for livestock to eat unless they are fed. I have friend who raises all of his own meat and there isn't even enough for his chickens.

[JBailey]

Meat producers always feed stale candy/bread/pasta/factory waste/etc. Why this is new news I don't know. Waste oil feed commercial chickens, plus road kill and euthanized pets. Blah blah blah.

Sludge from aluminum smelters is approved as fertilizer for alfalfa that cattle eat. The heavy metals show up in the meat. No big deal.