Why cows should not be fed on immature or overgrown grass

Some of the dairy cows feeding on hay at the farm belonging to Dr. David Ole Sankok, located in Ewaso Ng'iro, Narok County. PHOTO BY NANJINIA WAMUSWA.

The rainy season is here in most parts of the country, hence grass and fodder are growing at a fast pace. However, there are some two problems associated with this scenario unless a farmer has taken strategic planning in managing the feeding of this fast growing grass/fodder.

First, as soon as it rains the grass and fodder growing has a high moisture content and therefore low dry matter. This can be said to be immature grass or fodder. This low dry matter means that for every bite the animal takes the amount of proteins and carbohydrates it gets is lower than if it had taken the same quantity of dry grass or fodder.