The Power of a Balanced Diet: Why High-Quality Grass, Forages, and Corn, Benefit Our Cows
When it comes to raising healthy, productive cows, what they eat matters—a lot. At our farm, we’ve found that a balanced diet of high-quality grass and forages, paired with corn as our primary grain concentrate, is the key to keeping our herd thriving. This approach isn’t just good for the cows; it benefits the land, the ice cream we produce, and even our bottom line. Plus, we’ve got the expertise of a professional nutritionist we’ve worked with for over 20 years to ensure every bite is perfectly tailored to our herd’s needs. Let’s dive into why this feeding strategy works so well.
The Foundation: High-Quality Grass and Forages
Cows are natural grazers, and their digestive systems are built to break down fibrous plants like grass and forages. When we feed them high-quality pasture—think lush, nutrient-rich grasses—or carefully harvested forages like alfalfa or clover, we’re giving them what nature intended. This has a cascade of benefits:
Improved Digestion and Health: Grass and forages are packed with fiber, which keeps the rumen (the cow’s primary digestive organ) functioning smoothly. A healthy rumen reduces the chances of problems such as acidosis, which often occurs with grain-rich diets.
Natural Nutrients: High-quality forages are loaded with vitamins and minerals—like vitamin A, E, and magnesium—that support immune health, reproduction, and overall vitality.
Sustainability: Grazing on pasture helps maintain soil health, reduces erosion, and sequesters carbon. It’s a win for the environment and keeps our fields productive for years to come.
The Boost: Corn as Our Go-To Grain
While grass and forages lay the groundwork, corn takes things to the next level as our primary grain concentrate. This energy-dense feed is carefully mixed into our cows’ diets, especially during lactation or growth phases. Here’s why it’s a game-changer:
Energy for Productivity: Corn is rich in carbohydrates, providing the quick energy cows need to produce the rich cream that makes our ice cream so delicious. It’s a powerhouse of starch that fuels their performance.
Balanced Nutrition: When paired with forages, corn helps round out the diet. It delivers concentrated energy that complements the fiber and nutrients from grass, ensuring our cows get a well-rounded meal.
Cost-Effective Growth: By supplementing with corn, we optimize feedefficiency—getting more output per pound of feed. It’s a practical way to keep our operation humming.
The Best of Both Worlds: Why Balance Matters
The magic happens when we combine these two feeding pillars, guided by the expertise of our professional nutritionist. With over 20 years of collaboration, this trusted partner designs diets that blend grass and forages with corn to perfection. Grass and forages provide the slow-burn foundation—keeping cows healthy and their digestion on track—while corn delivers the concentrated punch of energy and nutrients for peak performance. This balanced approach avoids the pitfalls of over-relying on one feed type, like digestive upset from too much grain or nutrient deficiencies from grass alone.
Happy, Healthy Cows: A varied diet mimics what cows might naturally encounter, reducing stress and supporting long-term well-being.
Better Products: Well-fed cows produce richer, creamier milk that’s perfect for our ice cream. It’s a difference you can taste in every scoop.
Adaptability: With our nutritionist’s input, we can tweak the mix based on the season, the cows’ life stage, or production demands—keeping our operation flexible and resilient.
Our Commitment to Quality
At the end of the day, feeding our cows high-quality grass, forages, and corn isn’t just a strategy—it’s a commitment. Backed by two decades of partnership with our professional nutritionist, we ensure every diet is scientifically crafted to honor the animals we raise, the land we steward, and the people who enjoy our products. By investing in their nutrition, we’re investing in a system that’s sustainable, productive, and downright rewarding. So next time you dig into a bowl of our ice cream or fire up the grill for a juicy burger, know that it started with a cow enjoying a meal designed with care—grass, forages, a touch of corn, and the expertise of a trusted pro.