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<blockquote data-quote="Anonymous" data-source="post: 10594"><p>He's not in the best of health and I'm sure that played into his decision. If memory serves, he cut back by at least 50%. It should be said that he was not overgrazing to begin with. On the other hand, he could run more now and probably get away with what he's doing.</p><p></p><p>One of the main things to consider is how many months out of the year you're feeding now.</p><p></p><p>Another big part of the equation would be whether you're raising your own hay or buying some/all of it. In our case, we could have come out a little better if we'd turned them in sooner so they could graze it before it had a chance to head out and go to seed. We kicked the idea around long enough that the heads started forming and by then we figured we would wait for the seed to drop and improve the stand.</p><p></p><p>You wouldn't loose your whole crop because it will keep growing strong if they keep it from heading out – assuming adequate rain. But, you wouldn't go into winter with fresh hay. Then again you wouldn't want so much grazing burden on it that they got ahead of it. I wonder if there have been any studies done.</p><p></p><p>It would be interesting to get some other opinions from some of the grass experts that post here (hint, hint, Dun et al) because I don't know what factor should be used to compare hay production/consumption against what the yield would be if cattle were on it starting in early summer.</p><p></p><p>Another thing to consider would be the money saved by not baling against the income lost from the extra calves. Or, if you're buying hay, you would have to make a similar calculation. Of course you would still have to fertilize any improved pasture.</p><p></p><p>This would also re-open the question of a calving season and whether spring or fall would be best.</p><p></p><p>And, another thing to consider is the saved time spent feeding. I never know how to price that. It's depressing if you ever put the pencil to it and figure your hourly income – ha. Of course you will still have to check them and cake them, but just feeding is a lot of time spent and it is in the most miserable part of the year. It's worth something.</p><p></p><p>Sorry about the rambling response, I'm just "thinking out loud" and it's worth exactly what you're paying for it. Maybe you could get away with a 1/3 reduction. It's an interesting mental exercise to go through.</p><p></p><p>Craig</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Anonymous, post: 10594"] He’s not in the best of health and I’m sure that played into his decision. If memory serves, he cut back by at least 50%. It should be said that he was not overgrazing to begin with. On the other hand, he could run more now and probably get away with what he’s doing. One of the main things to consider is how many months out of the year you’re feeding now. Another big part of the equation would be whether you’re raising your own hay or buying some/all of it. In our case, we could have come out a little better if we’d turned them in sooner so they could graze it before it had a chance to head out and go to seed. We kicked the idea around long enough that the heads started forming and by then we figured we would wait for the seed to drop and improve the stand. You wouldn’t loose your whole crop because it will keep growing strong if they keep it from heading out – assuming adequate rain. But, you wouldn’t go into winter with fresh hay. Then again you wouldn’t want so much grazing burden on it that they got ahead of it. I wonder if there have been any studies done. It would be interesting to get some other opinions from some of the grass experts that post here (hint, hint, Dun et al) because I don’t know what factor should be used to compare hay production/consumption against what the yield would be if cattle were on it starting in early summer. Another thing to consider would be the money saved by not baling against the income lost from the extra calves. Or, if you’re buying hay, you would have to make a similar calculation. Of course you would still have to fertilize any improved pasture. This would also re-open the question of a calving season and whether spring or fall would be best. And, another thing to consider is the saved time spent feeding. I never know how to price that. It’s depressing if you ever put the pencil to it and figure your hourly income – ha. Of course you will still have to check them and cake them, but just feeding is a lot of time spent and it is in the most miserable part of the year. It’s worth something. Sorry about the rambling response, I’m just “thinking out loud” and it’s worth exactly what you’re paying for it. Maybe you could get away with a 1/3 reduction. It’s an interesting mental exercise to go through. Craig [/QUOTE]
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