Need to Know: The Best Grasses for Calves

As milk is the calf's first food and is essential in the first weeks of life, grass plays an important role in introducing feed and fattening the animal in the calving phase. But with so many options in such a large area and fertile land like the United States, what is the best grass for calves?

More pasture than feed is essential for rumen growth. In addition to using the forage as a pasture, calves can eat it as hay or cut it in the trough.

How can I select calf grass?

Some species are more suitable for calves. While choosing, observe the following features:

• short stature
• have good digestion
• low fibre content
• high protein content
• Good acceptance

Which grass is best for calves?

Massai

flowers quickly and several times a year, peaking in May. Considered an early weed, it has good resistance to leafhoppers.

Aruana

Having 12% protein in dry matter, it can tolerate cold but thrives in tropical and subtropical climes. It grows easily.

Aries

This species is digestible and can be fed to newborn calves in silage and hay.

Coast-cross grass

This type of grass does well in places with low temperatures, like the south in the winter. It is easy to process and has a good amount of protein.

Red clover Red clover is a cool-season legume that is very palatable and nutritious. It is often used in pasture mixes and haylage. Red clover is tolerant of drought and is a good legume for grazing animals.

Red clover is a cool-season legume that is very palatable and nutritious. It is often used in pasture mixes and haylage. Red clover is tolerant of drought and is a good legume for grazing animals.

Timothy Grass

Timothy grass is a perennial grass that is commonly found in meadows and pasturelands. It is a desirable grass for grazing animals, as it is high in nutritional value and palatable to most livestock. Cattle, sheep, and goats are all known to graze on timothy grass. Timothy grass is a cool-season grass, meaning that it does well in cooler climates. It is a hardy grass that can withstand some drought, but it does best in moist conditions. 

Timothy grass usually grows to be about 2–3 feet tall, though it can sometimes reach up to 5 feet in height. The leaves of timothy grass are about 2-4 inches long and are a bright green colour. The grass produces seed heads that are 6–8 inches long and contain small, flattened seeds. These seeds are what make timothy grass such a desirable grazing grass, as they are high in protein and other nutrients that livestock need. If you are looking for good grass for your calves to graze on, Timothy grass is a great option. It is high in nutritional value, palatable to most livestock, and can be grown in a variety of climates.

Orchard Grass

Orchard grass is a good grass for calves to graze on because it is high in protein and provides a good balance of nutrients. It is also palatable and easy for them to digest. Other benefits of orchard grass include its ability to withstand heavy grazing and its ability to grow in a wide range of climates.

Leucena

Produces high amounts of proteins. It is considered very palatable, and even in the dry season, it maintains its green colour, being very resistant to this season without rain.

When does the calf start to graze?

Between the second and third weeks of life, calves begin to seek food other than milk. At this age, the ideal grazing time is three hours a day. This period will gradually increase with time.

 

Other foods can be introduced into the diet, such as concentrates. Between birth and 70 days of life, you can offer corn kernels, cassava scrapings, as well as soybean and cottonseed meal. Always remember to choose high-quality ingredients. After 70 days, you can start offering concentrated food at a lower price.

 

By three months of age, avoid feeding silage because of the fermentation that produces this food form in the body.

• Bulky and concentrated feed: how to offer it to cattle

• How to offer concentrates to cattle

In addition to creep feeding, adopt creep grazing.

Do you want to increase the fatness and growth of your calves? Set aside a special pasture for them. That way, they won't compete and can use the expected amount to fatten up. Many producers, rather than setting aside a special area of pasture for calves, known as creep grazing, choose the area with the best quality to give extra strength to bovine growth in this first stage of life. 

Unlike creep grazing, which is for grazing only, creep feeding is also a pen, but with a trough. In this special space, the entry of small animals is restricted, which facilitates the consumption of the calf's feed and also avoids competition with larger animals in the feeder.

Calves need water

Water is also important. This resource is important for the animals to stay hydrated, grow, and stay healthy at all ages, but especially when they are calves. Since calves are smaller, put the water in buckets if it can't reach the drinker. However, change it every day.