It was once common practice, or so I'm told, for Upper Midwest ranchers to give their animals a little extra feed on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve day. My ancestors on my North Dakota family farm were among those who did it.
I'm ambivalent. Yes, it's a nice sentimental touch, and one that recognizes the emotional importance of livestock to ranchers. But the practice hardly seems to fit into any sort of rational animal husbandry. (As an aside, is that widely used term still acceptable in the 21st century?)
Your thoughts? Is a little extra feed on Christmas a good thing? And is using animal husbandry still OK?
FYI, the photo above was taken by Agweek photographer Nick Nelson on a gorgeous early summer day in Minnesota lake country. I look at it on unpleasant winter days to remind me of why this is (on balance) a great place to live.
