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Showing posts with label Cattle Care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cattle Care. Show all posts

How I Used Cattle Manure on My Fodder Field When I Couldn’t Afford Fertilizer

Farming does not always go according to plan.

​Sometimes you have everything you need, and sometimes you have to work with whatever is already available.

​Today was one of those days for me.

​For the past few days, I had been collecting the manure from our cattle in a separate place instead of leaving it scattered around the farm. Today, I took that collected manure to our fodder field and spread it over the areas where we had already harvested the grass.

​The reason was simple: I did not have the money to buy fertilizer for the field at the time.

​So instead of leaving the manure unused, I decided to make use of what I already had.

​Using What Was Already Available

​On a farm, many things are connected.

​We keep cattle, the cattle produce manure, and we also grow fodder for the animals. So when I had manure available and needed to take care of the field, using it there seemed like a practical choice.

​I had been keeping the manure separately for several days. Once I had harvested grass from some parts of the field, I decided to take the collected manure there and spread it over those areas.

​It was not something I planned as a special project. It was simply a practical decision based on the situation I was in.

​Why I Used Manure Instead of Buying Fertilizer

​The main reason was financial.

​At that time, I did not have enough money to buy fertilizer for the fodder field.

​Instead of waiting until I could afford it, I looked at what I already had available.

​The cattle manure had already been collected, so I decided to put it to use on the parts of the field where the fodder had already been harvested.

​For me, this is one of the realities of farm life. You cannot always buy everything you need. Sometimes you have to make the best use of the resources already available to you.

​From the Cattle Shed Back to the Field

​There is something interesting about the way things work on a farm.

​The cattle eat fodder from the field. After the fodder is used, the cattle produce manure. That manure can then be returned to the land.

​Today, I was simply moving one part of that cycle back to the field.

​I had been collecting the manure separately, and now I spread it over the harvested areas of the fodder field.

​It was ordinary farm work, but it was also a reminder that many resources around us can have another use instead of simply being thrown away.

​I Am Recording the Experience, Not Making a Big Claim

​I do not want to claim that using this manure will definitely produce a particular amount of fodder or increase the yield by a specific percentage.

​I am not writing this as a scientific experiment.

​I am simply recording what I actually did on my farm today and why I did it.

​I wanted to make use of something I already had instead of spending money that I did not have at the moment.

​What happens to the field afterward is something I will see with time.

​If I notice any meaningful difference in the coming weeks, I can share that experience as well.

​Another Ordinary Day on the Farm

​For someone looking from outside, spreading cattle manure across a field might seem like a very small thing.

​For me, it is simply part of everyday farm life.

​There are always small jobs to do:

  • ​Feeding the cattle
  • ​Cleaning the farm
  • ​Preparing fodder
  • ​Working in the field
  • ​Collecting manure
  • ​Taking care of whatever needs attention that day

​Not every day brings a major event.

​But sometimes an ordinary day contains a small decision worth remembering.

​Today, that decision was to take the manure I had collected over the past few days and return it to the fodder field.

​What I Learned From Today's Work

​The main thing I took from today's work is simple:

When resources are limited, you have to make good use of what you already have.


​I could not afford to buy fertilizer for the field at that time, but I did have cattle manure available.

​So I used it.

​I do not know yet what the final result will be, and I do not want to pretend that I already know.

​I will simply watch the field and see what happens next.

​That is also what MyLife.pk is about for me—not creating stories just to publish something, but documenting the things that actually happen in my life.

​Today, this was one of them.

Daily Farm Life: Harvesting Fresh Fodder and Feeding My Cattle Twice a Day


​Every day on the farm brings its own rhythm, satisfaction, and humble hard work. Among all my daily agricultural chores, caring for my livestock remains the most essential and rewarding part of my routine.

​To ensure my cattle stay healthy, strong, and active, I make sure to provide them with fresh green fodder every single day.

​My Daily Routine: Morning and Evening

​Twice a day, once in the early morning and again in the evening, I head out to the fields to harvest fresh grass. Once harvested, I bring the grass to our farm area where I use a fodder cutter machine to chop it finely.

​Machine-chopping the grass makes it much easier for the cattle to chew and digest properly, ensuring zero waste and optimal nutritional intake for the animals.

​Feeding Time at the Manger

​As soon as the freshly chopped fodder is placed into the wooden mangers (khurli), the animals gather eagerly. Seeing them enjoy their fresh feed after a hard session of cutting and chopping brings a sense of deep peacefulness and fulfillment.

​Here are a few shots captured straight from today's feeding session:

  • Side View: Capturing the animals standing comfortably at the manger, enjoying their fresh meal.
  • Rear View: A wider angle showing the peaceful atmosphere around the feeding area.
  • Close-Up View: A top-down look into the manger filled with freshly machine-chopped green grass as the animals feed.

​The Beauty of Life on the Farm

​Consistency is key when keeping livestock. Feeding them fresh, nutrient-rich green grass twice a day keeps them content and healthy. Farm life requires continuous physical dedication, but moments like these make every effort completely worthwhile.

Daily Farm Life: Cleaning Livestock Yard with Traditional Dandali

Starting the day on a farm comes with dedicated hard work and responsibilities. Every morning, long before the rest of the world wakes up, the most essential task begins: cleaning the cattle yard. Maintaining a clean environment for our livestock is not just about keeping the farm organized; it is vital for the health, hygiene, and overall productivity of the animals.

​The Essential Tool: Traditional Dandali

​When it comes to scraping and cleaning the ground, modern machinery often cannot match the efficiency of a classic tool the Dandali (a traditional heavy-duty rake).

  • Scraping Waste: The sturdy teeth of the Dandali easily loosen dried manure and debris from the soil.
  • Leveling the Ground: It helps keep the yard surface flat and smooth for the cattle to walk comfortably.
  • Efficiency: It allows quick clearing of large areas without damaging the ground.

​Step-by-Step Daily Routine

  1. Clearing Dung & Debris: The primary task is removing fresh manure and leftover feed from around the feeding troughs (Khurli).
  2. Drying the Ground: Scraping off the wet top layer allows fresh air and morning sunlight to dry out the soil, preventing bad odors.
  3. Preparing Fresh Feed: Once the area is spotless and dry, fresh green fodder is served to the cattle.

​Why Daily Cleaning Matters

  • Disease Prevention: Accumulated manure becomes a breeding ground for flies and harmful bacteria, leading to infections like foot rot and skin issues.
  • Better Milk Yield: Comfortable, stress-free cows living in a hygienic space produce better quality and higher quantities of milk.
  • Fly Control: Regular cleaning significantly reduces fly and insect infestation in the shed.

​Conclusion

​Farm life demands consistency and passion. Cleaning the livestock area every morning using our traditional Dandali ensures our animals stay healthy, active, and well-cared for. It’s hard work, but seeing healthy cattle makes every effort completely worth it!