A Grazing Plan

A managed grazing plan has formulated in my mind now. I have a list of tools that I will need, I have the design in my head and I am anxious to get started.

I have decided to go with an O'Brien reel that will hold one quarter mile of poly wire. This will be sufficient for our small farm, for now. I may decide that I need more, but I can cross that bridge later. I was looking at steel, pigtail tred in posts for the paddock divisions, but have decided that they would be too tall for our small Dexters. So, I looked at some Plastic tred in posts that have guides at various levels. This will allow me to place the single strand of polywire at an appropriate level. I don't worry about calves gettiing under the wire. They don't eat much, should they get out of the paddock. I do want them to have the ability to get back to momma, but keep momma in. I want the wire about chest high. So the variable hight posts will work better for us. With the wire and posts, next Spring (barring my impatience), I can begin a rotational system. We have a small herd and small acreage, but I will toy with the High Stock Density System and record the results. I am very interested in this method. However, we need to manage our grazing and that is all that's to it. Hay is getting expensive.

The goal, here, is not to remove the hay completely. That would be stretching things this early on given the sad condition of our soil. More attainable, I think, is to reduce the hay consumption. A winter stockpile of good late season grass is essential. Again, poor soil quality here will factor in. High stock chickens will help tremendously. They give an almost immediate Nitrogen boost.

My original plan had in mind a rest period of about 11 days. If there is plenty of rain, that would work. Around here, things tend to dry up around August. So I will need a longer rest period. I am thinking I can get 15-20 day rest periods. It remains to be seen how much growth will occur during that time. I guess this plan will be a cross between Managemant intensive Grazing and High Stock Density Grazing. The trick will be for me to remain diligent and focused on our goals and to record what I see. Us small farmers must be ready to make mistakes and learn from them. To think progressively and try new things. It would be hard to do that if I don't write things down. Thus, I can bore you readers with my findings.

Now I have my plan. Come Spring, I hope to work my plan.