MOB, or intense rotational grazing and shade...

[TennesseeTuxedo]

What do those of you who practice MOB grazing and the like do to provide shade to your cattle in the heat of the day? I have to believe trees can be pretty scarce in the paddocks when you are trying to maximize your grazing with cross fencing.

Thanks in advance.

 

[dun]

We use oaks that are scattered in each paddock. If there aren;t enough we have a couple of smaller paddocks that have old buildings on the side and the shade up behind them. Just as water is a consideration when laying out paddocks so is the availability of shade. Just one more part of the equation.

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

I figured it would play in there somewhere dun but in all threads I've seen on the subject I don't recall anybody addressing it.

Do you have any experience with portable shade of any type. Seems like I saw a web site someplace touting the benefits of artificial portable shade.

Thanks

 

[dun]

No portable shade here. I did see one guy that used an old school bus for shade, just parked it in the pasture and let the cows shade up around it.

 

[heath]

No portable shade here. I did see one guy that used an old school bus for shade, just parked it in the pasture and let the cows shade up around it.

Fancy

 

[regolith]

Like that idea, but you would need to move the bus before they leave the paddock or the grass they didn't graze under it will be less palatable when they return.

You can get calf huts that are a similar idea... they are on skids so they can be towed from paddock to paddock and you can rotate your young calves outdoors with constant access to shelter. I looked at the idea when I was thinking of buying and raising a few over winter; for my spring calves I usually select paddocks with enough shade trees or a building to hide from the wind while they're still young.

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

Thanks for your input Rego.