Are cows quick learners? If you manage to train a few cows will the new practices spread through the herd?

This weekend, I learned that the answer to both question is “yes.” In fact, I learned a lot more than that. This weekend was one of those eye opening experiences I need to share.

Senator Obama and I were in Stevens Point, Wisconsin last Friday. I’m not sure what the senator was doing, but I was speaking with a group of dedicated farmers at their 2008 Wisconsin Grazing Conference. They come together to improve farming practices and farmers’ lives by increasing the use of grazing instead of feedlots, reducing the need for pesticides, and improving farmers’ economic acumen. These farmers do good and impressive work.
 
After my talk I spent some time with Kathy Voth, a young researcher who has discovered how to train cattle to eat noxious weeds—tough weeds like Canada thistle, leafy spurge and spotted knapweed. It gives the cows added nutrition, and saves farmers thousands of dollars in pesticides costs.

Here’s what she’s learned:

• Focus on younger cows and calves. Their preferences are easier to change. Kathy prefers to train cows, rather than bulls or steers, because she’s found the cows pass on the knowledge when they have calves of their own.
• She begins by mixing a specific weed with a bit of molasses and with other foods the calf is familiar with.
• If the calf doesn’t eat it all at first, don’t panic. Given time the calf will eventually eat it. But, don’t starve the calf either. Just leave the new food available along with their other foods. Cows like to try new things in small bites.
• Expect this process to take about five days.
• You don’t have to train all your cows. If you train ten percent, the other cattle will pick up the behavior from them.

Are you readers as amazed by this as I am? I’m dying to try it. Have any of you got some cows that need schooling?