(1) Great video, numbers and explanatory drawings (2) Simple explanation without complicated terminology (3) Making people think about why they do stuff This is what passing on New Learning and Understanding is all about, thank you.
antoine girona Antoine de Saint-Exupéry? Others suggest it is an adaptation from Wendell Berry, but certainly could be someone else. quoteinvestigator.com/2013/01/22/borrow-earth/
Abdalwahab Alried I eventually want to be able to get the cows access to water in every paddock without back grazing. When I'm able to stop back grazing, I will be able to really focus in on not over grazing certain areas.
Make sure you leave at minimum 3 to 4 inches don't take it to the ground. Is your pond fenced don't let them in the pond. Yes to drink but no swimming. This is the first time I've seen your channel. I'll be watching more. Sorry if I seem bossy
You know that weather is ever changing. You know as your cows mob graze that the vegetation species will evolve, and different weather will promote different species in a given season. Suggestion: Why not invest in 2 portable fences to enclose 1/2 acre (approx. 600 ft.)? You can them put them exactly where you want them, and setup the next 1/2 acre wherever the next best 1/2 to graze is? Suggestion: I've never know cows to not mess up a pond. Why not fence the pond in and set up a water tank? You could use a solar powered pump to pump water to the tank and gravel around the tank to prevent a mess in the winter. Have an overflow that empties not directly into the pond, but just inside the pond's fence for natural filtration creating a pristine pond and clear water in the tank. Personally, I'd build a few small concrete tanks around the pond so that water was available all around the pond for maximum water filtration. I'd also plant some fruit trees inside the pond's fence for additional shade and the fruit of course. The trees would also keep the brush down around the pond, if you wanted fishing access. Suggestion: Put the forest section to work raising pigs. I'd create a concrete wallow setup like the small cow tanks with the circulating pond water, but larger area and sloping sides. Suggestion: I'm guessing that even with mob grazing, the cows are leaving some brush and weed species behind. Why not run a small herd of goats behind the cow/calf pairs to really clean up the 1/2 acre after you move the cow/calf pairs, or run them all together? If you fence the pond off for fishing and filtration, running the goats into the pond enclosure periodically will help both with access and keeping the enclosure in low fast growing vegetation that will provide maximum water filtration. I hear that hair sheep are a good alternative to goats in many applications -- no experience yet.
R.G. really is the way to go. I had sheep and it worked great. By the the time they get back to paddock 1 the grass would be up to their shoulders. I'm thinking of leading off with cows, followed by sheep then goats to clean up what's left.
imaslowlerner I think that would be a great idea! I want to eventually do multi species grazing, but don't have the infrastructure to support goats :-) those little buggers will get out of the 6" x 6" hole :-)
how has your rotation been working? any updates or changes? have you considered running chickens in tractors through the paddocks after the cattle as biological control and to scatter the manure paddys? thanks for the upload.
The rotations have been working great. Was able to incorporate some rye (cover crop) into my rotations as well. I have been considering adding other livestock to diversify, but haven't committed on that yet! I have been mainly looking at goats or sheep (weed/shrub) control.
I understand this video is just to give an explain mob grazing. Instead of having so many paddocks, why not have fewer paddocks and use temporary fencing? This lowers the amount of investments in fencing.
Thanks you, when I get back stateside I plan on doing exactly what you did but with only 11 acers. I plan on implementing a few swales in there for my fruit trees. Keep doing the good work. Michael
Steven Bates if you don't have water supply for each paddock, then you will have to back graze... giving them access to water. You gave me a good idea for my next video :-) Thanks!
I've got a 20 acre pasture and thinking about getting cattle. How many cows could I put on it? And if break it down to 5 acre tracts how long can I let them graze before changing them over?
Lisa Mazingo, just depends on type of cattle. If you stock feeders, consider their weight and decide how intense you want to go. Then decide how good of shape your pasture is in. I would say 5 (depending on intensity), move every day... but a lot depends on quality. The cows will let you know and guide you down the road to the next year!
Lisa, depending on the type of cattle you want to graze, I would suggest not having the cattle on any area longer then 4 days, if you can move the cattle everyday then you will get a much more even grazing. If you are milking I would suggest moving the cattle twice a day, after each milking. If you are not milking then strip grazing works great, really reduces the need for lanes, less mud this way, move the water tank every other day. I am in Wisconsin, the rainfall here usually allows a person to rotate thru the pastures once a month, this depends on rain fall and animal units per acre. So if you set up a grazing plan as this gentleman is explaining in the video, moving the cattle at the same pace thru the paddocks, with a rotation no less then 30 days, with the cattle not on any area more then 4 days. good luck
Great video, are they outside 24/7, during the spring-fall months. Then given access to shelter during winter and they graze as weather allows? Thank you Nick
I keep my cattle in the pasture year round. The only shelter they receive is from windbreaks and timber. In the winter I bale graze (place the bales in the pasture). This allows me to make one less trip in cleaning out the lots or barn. The cattle also evenly distribute their manure for me as well... Win, win! I have found that my cattle do better in the cold than the excessive hot, humid days here in Iowa.
We are not yet there for wintering out. The land has been used pretty hard before I was able to obtain it. I just fed a bale the other day (through bale grazing) and the cows are still grazing the pasture... good sign!
Thanks for the information Aaron. Question: So do you have a total of 50 cow/calf pairs total on your 100 acres. In the video, you said 50 cow/calf pairs 'per acre.' Thanks! Craig
Thanks for your support. You typically would want to run around 100,000 pounds per acre (varies with pasture quality). I went with a conservative number. I have heard guys running 150,000 lbs./acre and more. As a rule of thumb, you should always have more grass on hand (for drought or unexpected circumstances). So I would suggest running a lower number of cows for the 'what ifs.' I personally run 20 cow/calf pairs on 75 acres. I split the paddocks up into 1/4 acres to 1 acre, depending on grass quality and timing (seasonal and rotational). You really need to experiment to see what is the best choices for your farm. Your cows will always let you know if you are doing something wrong ;) If you have any other questions just let me know.
I would assume the dorper would weigh between 180 to 200 pounds (not sure). So let’s go with the lighter weight, 180 lbs. So it’s animal unit would be 0.18. Now depending on how many dorpers you plan to have, you would be able to calculate how many paddocks you could fit in 35 acres.
I use a method called back grazing. I move the cattle close to the water source first, then move away. If you do it right (tight confinement), cattle won't touch the grass from the previous day because they should have trampled it. Do they still graze their? Yes, but not enough to consider it continuous grazing. If you notice cattle hanging out in a previous paddock (close to the water), you are moving the herd too slowly and the forage has began to regrow.
I heard Greg Judy say he doesn't back fence for 3 days so the cattle can have access to the water. Where he is in Missouri, he doesn't want them to have access to that grass after 3 days or they may take too many "second bites".
Ryan Barr, I would agree with that. The only problem is that some farms have no other water source available. So in some cases back grazing may be inevitable.
Just joined your channel. Great content. I’m currently investigating the mob approach to grazing. Unfortunately, I’m only a weekend rancher. So I’m trying to figure out a more aggressive rotational weekly approach. Check us out, we are trying to grow our channel as well.
(1) Great video, numbers and explanatory drawings
(2) Simple explanation without complicated terminology
(3) Making people think about why they do stuff
This is what passing on New Learning and Understanding is all about, thank you.
very informative first time I've been able to understand the importance of MOB grazing!
great job!
Jeannette Silva
instablaster.
Great video. thanks. You could grab some patches of clover & plant it around to make more areas with clover? just a thought.
You're a great teacher. Thanks
Thanks for the plan & explanation. The quote is by St Exupery from a native american saying
antoine girona Antoine de Saint-Exupéry? Others suggest it is an adaptation from Wendell Berry, but certainly could be someone else.
quoteinvestigator.com/2013/01/22/borrow-earth/
You hit the nail on the head with that video! Thank you
Fantastic information and point of view. Thank you. This is very helpful, even though I only farm 12 acres right now.
You can essentially add more livestock onto just 12 acres, if planned accordingly! Happy farming.
watermolen
Bless you men for this content 🙏
Just wanna say, you did an awesome video out there! Thanks a lot for all the information!
Thank you. I appreciate it!
Thank you so much for your logistic grazing i have jusy seen, its great idea. i want to cultivate grass, Lucerne and follow your idea
That’s real true. I’m doing this on my future farm
i advise you to make inclosed accesses to the pond in every section/paddock that doesn't have one . Good job. . .
Abdalwahab Alried I eventually want to be able to get the cows access to water in every paddock without back grazing. When I'm able to stop back grazing, I will be able to really focus in on not over grazing certain areas.
Make sure you leave at minimum 3 to 4 inches don't take it to the ground. Is your pond fenced don't let them in the pond. Yes to drink but no swimming. This is the first time I've seen your channel. I'll be watching more. Sorry if I seem bossy
You know that weather is ever changing. You know as your cows mob graze that the vegetation species will evolve, and different weather will promote different species in a given season.
Suggestion: Why not invest in 2 portable fences to enclose 1/2 acre (approx. 600 ft.)? You can them put them exactly where you want them, and setup the next 1/2 acre wherever the next best 1/2 to graze is?
Suggestion: I've never know cows to not mess up a pond. Why not fence the pond in and set up a water tank? You could use a solar powered pump to pump water to the tank and gravel around the tank to prevent a mess in the winter. Have an overflow that empties not directly into the pond, but just inside the pond's fence for natural filtration creating a pristine pond and clear water in the tank. Personally, I'd build a few small concrete tanks around the pond so that water was available all around the pond for maximum water filtration. I'd also plant some fruit trees inside the pond's fence for additional shade and the fruit of course. The trees would also keep the brush down around the pond, if you wanted fishing access.
Suggestion: Put the forest section to work raising pigs. I'd create a concrete wallow setup like the small cow tanks with the circulating pond water, but larger area and sloping sides.
Suggestion: I'm guessing that even with mob grazing, the cows are leaving some brush and weed species behind. Why not run a small herd of goats behind the cow/calf pairs to really clean up the 1/2 acre after you move the cow/calf pairs, or run them all together? If you fence the pond off for fishing and filtration, running the goats into the pond enclosure periodically will help both with access and keeping the enclosure in low fast growing vegetation that will provide maximum water filtration. I hear that hair sheep are a good alternative to goats in many applications -- no experience yet.
I just noticed that this video is 5 years old, and your operation may have completely changed. Oops!
lol... it is old, but still follow the same mob grazing ideas. You pointed out some really good points though!
Maybe grandma cut the turkey in half for the family to mob graze on the first half before moving to the next half. Less waste.
Good point :)
R.G. really is the way to go. I had sheep and it worked great. By the the time they get back to paddock 1 the grass would be up to their shoulders. I'm thinking of leading off with cows, followed by sheep then goats to clean up what's left.
imaslowlerner I think that would be a great idea! I want to eventually do multi species grazing, but don't have the infrastructure to support goats :-) those little buggers will get out of the 6" x 6" hole :-)
You're right, they will actually watch you fix a hole then try it.
how has your rotation been working? any updates or changes? have you considered running chickens in tractors through the paddocks after the cattle as biological control and to scatter the manure paddys? thanks for the upload.
The rotations have been working great. Was able to incorporate some rye (cover crop) into my rotations as well. I have been considering adding other livestock to diversify, but haven't committed on that yet! I have been mainly looking at goats or sheep (weed/shrub) control.
I understand this video is just to give an explain mob grazing. Instead of having so many paddocks, why not have fewer paddocks and use temporary fencing? This lowers the amount of investments in fencing.
You’re right... multiple ways of accomplishing the same goal, more forage! Using poly wire is one way for temp fencing.
The paddocks would be made from temporary fencing.
Good class brother.
Thank you... If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask!
Thanks you, when I get back stateside I plan on doing exactly what you did but with only 11 acers. I plan on implementing a few swales in there for my fruit trees. Keep doing the good work. Michael
Thanks for the info.
Thank you this help Ben
Thank you... We are located in Iowa, so we are blessed with some green pastures. Do you use mob grazing?
Thank you. What I'm hung up on is the water supply at each location. How about the logistics on that?
Steven Bates if you don't have water supply for each paddock, then you will have to back graze... giving them access to water. You gave me a good idea for my next video :-) Thanks!
White Farms I was looking for your references to other videos, and don't see them. Where can they be found?
Steven Bates it is on my TH-cam channel. If you click on my profile picture, and it should take you to my channel with different videos.
White Farms three videos, none applicable
Steven Bates let me know if this one doesn't work. Thanks!
th-cam.com/video/4Oj4hkxDqEA/w-d-xo.html
I've got a 20 acre pasture and thinking about getting cattle. How many cows could I put on it? And if break it down to 5 acre tracts how long can I let them graze before changing them over?
Lisa Mazingo, just depends on type of cattle. If you stock feeders, consider their weight and decide how intense you want to go. Then decide how good of shape your pasture is in. I would say 5 (depending on intensity), move every day... but a lot depends on quality. The cows will let you know and guide you down the road to the next year!
Lisa, depending on the type of cattle you want to graze, I would suggest not having the cattle on any area longer then 4 days, if you can move the cattle everyday then you will get a much more even grazing. If you are milking I would suggest moving the cattle twice a day, after each milking. If you are not milking then strip grazing works great, really reduces the need for lanes, less mud this way, move the water tank every other day. I am in Wisconsin, the rainfall here usually allows a person to rotate thru the pastures once a month, this depends on rain fall and animal units per acre. So if you set up a grazing plan as this gentleman is explaining in the video, moving the cattle at the same pace thru the paddocks, with a rotation no less then 30 days, with the cattle not on any area more then 4 days. good luck
Good video and explanation. Do you have a permanent fence system set up and then use portable electric for the internal paddocks?
I do have a permanent fence and use polywire for the paddocks... Makes for interesting designs!
Thanks. Seems to be the most efficient system.
Thanks for posting this!
Great video, are they outside 24/7, during the spring-fall months. Then given access to shelter during winter and they graze as weather allows?
Thank you Nick
I keep my cattle in the pasture year round. The only shelter they receive is from windbreaks and timber. In the winter I bale graze (place the bales in the pasture). This allows me to make one less trip in cleaning out the lots or barn. The cattle also evenly distribute their manure for me as well... Win, win! I have found that my cattle do better in the cold than the excessive hot, humid days here in Iowa.
Great video. We're just setting up our mob grazing system over here in England. Do you winter out?
We are not yet there for wintering out. The land has been used pretty hard before I was able to obtain it. I just fed a bale the other day (through bale grazing) and the cows are still grazing the pasture... good sign!
Thanks for the information Aaron. Question: So do you have a total of 50 cow/calf pairs total on your 100 acres. In the video, you said 50 cow/calf pairs 'per acre.' Thanks! Craig
Thanks for your support. You typically would want to run around 100,000 pounds per acre (varies with pasture quality). I went with a conservative number. I have heard guys running 150,000 lbs./acre and more.
As a rule of thumb, you should always have more grass on hand (for drought or unexpected circumstances). So I would suggest running a lower number of cows for the 'what ifs.'
I personally run 20 cow/calf pairs on 75 acres. I split the paddocks up into 1/4 acres to 1 acre, depending on grass quality and timing (seasonal and rotational).
You really need to experiment to see what is the best choices for your farm. Your cows will always let you know if you are doing something wrong ;)
If you have any other questions just let me know.
Greg judy and Jim Gerrish do that too. Sucks when you're trying to hang on every word lol
I'm not an AG person, but why not throw some clover seeds into the fescue areas?
Bro question. I’m planning to raise Dorper in 35 acres. How many paddocks i would make ?
I would assume the dorper would weigh between 180 to 200 pounds (not sure). So let’s go with the lighter weight, 180 lbs. So it’s animal unit would be 0.18. Now depending on how many dorpers you plan to have, you would be able to calculate how many paddocks you could fit in 35 acres.
Great information.
Hi, one question. What means of watering system or method are you using to water your stock within each paddock?
I use a method called back grazing. I move the cattle close to the water source first, then move away. If you do it right (tight confinement), cattle won't touch the grass from the previous day because they should have trampled it. Do they still graze their? Yes, but not enough to consider it continuous grazing. If you notice cattle hanging out in a previous paddock (close to the water), you are moving the herd too slowly and the forage has began to regrow.
I heard Greg Judy say he doesn't back fence for 3 days so the cattle can have access to the water. Where he is in Missouri, he doesn't want them to have access to that grass after 3 days or they may take too many "second bites".
Ryan Barr, I would agree with that. The only problem is that some farms have no other water source available. So in some cases back grazing may be inevitable.
Hi Mr.White
Fun fact, as humans we don't need to eat any plant. If fact, the healthiest diet for humans is a carnivore diet.
yup... we borrow from our children
Very interesting m8 i searched for judge judy and ended up learning bout cows even tho im a shitty boi
Just joined your channel. Great content. I’m currently investigating the mob approach to grazing. Unfortunately, I’m only a weekend rancher. So I’m trying to figure out a more aggressive rotational weekly approach. Check us out, we are trying to grow our channel as well.
Permaculture