Rotation

I finished the first week of managed rotational grazing. This is something that I have always attempted, but had little success with. I always thought that you rotate the animals around and all is good. Now, I know, that is not the case. I've learned since then.

Anyway, one week around. Well, eight days, to be exact. Thus far I am satisfied with the results. The cows were on the paddock for one day, beginning in the afternoon to capture all the benefits of the days worth of sun. I moved each day around 4:00 p.m. At first, I got stuck in my preconceived ideas about the paddock size, which would have been too small. I changed that to larger paddocks to ensure that the animals would not eat all the forage in one trip.

This was accomplished and left a decent (although it could be better) residual for the next trip. I wanted to leave enough leaf above ground to ensure rapid regrowth. The growth has been satisfactory but, then, it could be better. I have found a few trouble spots with little grass and lots of weeds. We are also noticing the appearance of Sheep Sorrel, an indicator of the need of Lime.

But the biggest thing is that the cows were not allowed to graze down to nothing. I am even thinking outside my box by letting them eat the driveway, which has a ton of grass on either side, and using my reel and polywire places that would be inaccessible otherwise. All of this is good, in my opinion.

On this trip around, I would like to snap some pictures to post here and measure the regrowth in periods of 24 and 48 hours. We have had plenty of rain, but I am very afraid that it will dry up in a matter of weeks, thus my management here is crucial.

Look for the results in a week or so.