rotating cattle

[denoginnizer]

What is an easy way , for one person ,to move cattle from one pasture to another when rotational grazing. The pastures are about 200 acres a piece. Seems like a few always want to hang out in the grazed pasture .

 

[Texas PaPaw]

How often do you rotate? Seems it would take lots of cattle to achieve much stock density with 200 acre pastures. Just thinking outloud-Maybe more frequent rotations thru smaller pastures would make rotations easier. JMO

FWIW We rotate every 1-3 days during the growing season and 4-10 days during the dormant season. Our cattle anticipate fresh pasture and move very readily. They're waiting at the gate when they hear the ATV. When there is the occasional straggler, we push them along with the ATV.

Regards

Brock

 

[denoginnizer]

Rotating is new to me. I have been rotating because I am building new fences, cleaning up property. I have 112 cows ,4 bulls,and about 100 calves on the property .

 

[SPRINGER FARMS MURRAY GRE]

Rotating is new to me. I have been rotating because I am building new fences, cleaning up property. I have 112 cows ,4 bulls,and about 100 calves on the property .

It takes a while to get them used to it. I have a friend that has around 50 head on rotation. When he opens the gate they almost run over him getting to the next pasture because they know it will be better grass. ;-) :cboy:

 

[Texas PaPaw]

When you get higher stock density thru more cattle and/or smaller pastures thru more crossfencing, I think getting the cattle to change pastures will get easier. One thing that will help encourage movement to the new pasture is moving the mineral and any other supplements when making the new pasture available. The more frequently the cattle are rotated the faster they learn the process. After a few times the cattle should associate this activity with fresh grass and move more readily. Also, if you leave the gate open between the old and new pasture overnight most of the stragglers will probably move themselves. Cows with newborn calves will be reluctant to move and care should be given to prevent isolating a mother from a new baby.

An excellent resource for rotational grazing is the book "Management Intensive Grazing" by Jim Gerrish. It can be purchased thru the following link:

http://stockmangrassfarmer.net/

Hope this info is helpful.

Regards

Brock

 

[cowmomma]

When you are splitting up the big fields...how do you manage the water?

 

[alabama]

What is an easy way , for one person ,to move cattle from one pasture to another when rotational grazing. The pastures are about 200 acres a piece. Seems like a few always want to hang out in the grazed pasture .

Try to feed hay or cubes close to the geat.

 

[dun]

After they get used to the routine it's no big deal. Anytime ours see me with a step in post they come a running. I use it all the time just to gather them. Yell once so that one of them looks then start waving the white stick, my arm seems to work just as well most time, then get out of the way.
Ours are used to having new paddocks set up with the step in and polywire so they figure they're going somewhere when they see the stick

dun

 

[ChrisB]

I've heard of people blowing a whistle. The cows will associate the whistle with new pasture and come running. Much the same as mentioned before with the sound of an ATV. Just a thought.

 

[D.R. Cattle]

I just whistle and beep the horn. If I don't have my horse or an ATV handy I'll just leave the gap open overnight and they'll all be along.

 

[Aero]

What is an easy way , for one person ,to move cattle from one pasture to another when rotational grazing. The pastures are about 200 acres a piece. Seems like a few always want to hang out in the grazed pasture .

my grandfather is 83 and can move yearling bulls very easily with his trained border collie.

 

[Saltydawg]

I just run the ATV down with a couple white buckets.....they'll follow me anywhere if they think i have some grain lol.

 

[D.R. Cattle]

What is an easy way , for one person ,to move cattle from one pasture to another when rotational grazing. The pastures are about 200 acres a piece. Seems like a few always want to hang out in the grazed pasture .

my grandfather is 83 and can move yearling bulls very easily with his trained border collie.

Now a good dog is sweet, but is normally a compliment to a good horse with a good cowhand onboard. If your cattle have been dogged they will be very obedient to any applied pressure. At least in my limited dog experience.