Cow Health

We have known the health benefits of Thyme more specifically these 2 species (Thymus serpyllum and T. vulgaris). But did you know Thyme has excellent antimicrobial agents to help cows facing mastitis and staph A. You can provide these as an essential oil in their feed, or grow it and give them the plant. (Chopped and mixed with their feed). We have recently begun providing our cows with Thyme plants (mixed in their feed). We will also be drying it, foe the months it's not growing. We will be providing about 2 to 3 TBSP per cow mixed in their feed.

Magnesium, Selenium, Copper, and Sodium (Salt). Are crucial to your cows health. Our farm (soil) is lacking proper selenium so we provide a green selenium block year round. We also provide loose minerals safe for lactating and dry cows. 

Cows can easily get bloat, the best way to naturally keep bloat at bay, is to offer baking soda. We purchase sodium bicarbonate in 50 pound sacks, and provide it to the cows in their mineral bar. We also sprinkle 1/4 cup on their feed every few days, to ensure they are getting the adequate amount. 

Are you providing kelp? Did you know kelp is an excellent source in filling in micronutrient deficiencies so the herd can improve digestion functions, reproductively, and their immune system. Healthier animals equal better productivity overall. Kelp does have copper, so be sure you know your feed and soil copper levels. We personally buy Organic Kelp Powder.  Cows can taste the saltiness so start slow. 

This is what we've done:

The first week we provided 1/2 ounce a day for 7 days. Then 3/4 ounce for 7 days.

Then we moved to 1oz every other day. If not mistaken the maximum a cow should have is 4oz daily. Where our cows do get iodine and copper from other sources, and after speaking to our vet and nutrionists, our dose of 1 oz every other day, is plenty sufficient for our herd. We also do soil tests, and test our hay for nutrients. 

This is the kelp we purchase: 

Black oiled sunflower seeds, are high in protein, fiber, calcium, vitamin b-complex, vitamin e, potassium and iron. We provide 2 quarts daily to each cow. 

Colloidal silver is a solution that contains very small pieces of silver. Silver has been used as a traditional medicine for thousands of years. Today, colloidal silver is used as an alternative medicine to ward off bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The higher the PPM (parts per million) the better. We use colloidal Silver as a teat infusion for when a cow shows signs of abnormal milk/high SCC. We inject/insert 150CC in the problem quarter. And usually in 24 hours, her milk is back to normal limits 50K SCC.