Rotating Pastures, Manure Distribution in MIG, Family pics..

[SRBeef]

Today was rotation day - rotating cows, calves and heifers to a fresh paddock. The "cow-day" calculations on the paddock in the foreground of the 1st pic said it would last them until 5/22 and it did...although by the looks on their faces they feel I was pushing it a bit.

Here is a picture just before rotating today, 5/22:

For reference, here is what that approximate spot looked like 12 days ago on 5/10:

They really got into the fresh grass, even the calves.

After rotating the group out of one paddock I clipped the pasture with my flail mower. This first time through the paddocks especially I like to mow to control the weeds coming in that they did not eat rather than just drag the paddock. The flail has a full width roller across the back which spreads the fresh manure piles to reduce the avoidance zones next time thru.

I was pleasantly surprised at the excellent manure distribution through the paddock. If I just spread the piles a bit with the mower or drag there is a lot of fertility there. Looking west:

Looking east:

Finally some family pics - Some of my bull T21's calves from this year, patiently waiting for me to put up the wire and open some fresh grass:

(nowhere near the type of Knersie or some of you others but I am trying to get closer year by year. Starting to see more butt on the calves.

and one of T21's heifers from last year:

Also a picture of the Tundra heifer I bought in North Dakota who seems to be adapting well to Wisconsin and the rotational system.

Edit/added: it is interesting to see how she is slower to lose her winter coat than my own local T21 heifer #3 pictured just above who is almost the same age. Is this because of coming from ND (somewhat different climate) or just her genetics?

T21 must be lonely - he comes up to the fence whenever I turn in the drive. I gave him a couple handfuls of the tall grass on my side of the fence. Won't be long until he is back with his ladies:

A beautiful day. Jim

 

[plumber_greg]

Jim, I've read about your problems with weeds is your pastures. Down here lime is the great equlizer with weeds. A couple of years ago, I gps grided my pastures. They took a soil sample every 2 1/2 acres and variable spread lime on them. It was mentioned to me that adaquate lime will really control weeds. On the soil maps that showed no lime was needed, there really weren't weeds, but where it showed 4 ton needed, that seemed to be where the most problems were. Just wondering, is it the different soil types in our area, or is it different weeds. I guess smart weeds, horse weeds, and musk thistle are probably our most troublesome. I like your pastures, country and cows, even if they are herefords. gs

 

[Angus Cowman]

Jim
looks like you have things working pretty good and like Greg said nice looking cows and pastures
AC

 

[SRBeef]

Greg, this area does need lime every so often. And yes if the pH gets too low between applications, certain acid-loving weeds seem to be more numerous.

The clover is a good indicator also. Clover needs a fairly high pH or will not persist. I tested my ground going back to strip tilled grazing corn for fertilizer needs. The soil test also gives you pH and surprisingly was OK. It is a constant battle to keep the pH up in this area. I will check the rotation pastures and apply what's needed in the fall.

As you can see on the right edge of one of the manure photos, there really is not too bad a weed problem in this paddock. I mow the first time each year especially to stay ahead of them, thistle especially. Most of the other "weeds" they will eat when small. I just try to keep them from going to seed.

Greg and AC thanks for the kind words. There are places in this business for many different breeds, no one right breed for everyone/everywhere/all systems.

Some western Hereford folks look at Herefords in my compact rotational grazing and feel they look out of place not roaming the rangeland. I think the breed is well suited to this type system in my area. My neighbor has raised Herefords for many years, if in a more conventional system. He was the one who recommended them to me and I am glad he did.

I have to get going and spray corn later today. Thanks again.

Jim

 

[novaman]

I'm not trying to be critical of what you're doing as it looks like you have a great operation going there, but I see three things that stand out to me in your pictures. 1. Those dandelions are everywhere and they have already gone to seed. I know you hate spraying but those things are impossible to control without spraying. 2. The paddock you just put your herd into looks like it may already be heading. Is the picture misleading or is that true? If so you are falling behind on your rotation. 3. Your bull looks overconditioned to me. Again maybe I'm nit picking but just thought I would mention those few things that stood out to me. How's your corn coming along? I just put mine in a couple days ago.

 

[alftn]

Nice animals, calves,cows,and Bull...and beautiful grass......

 

[SRBeef]

I'm not trying to be critical of what you're doing as it looks like you have a great operation going there, but I see three things that stand out to me in your pictures. 1. Those dandelions are everywhere and they have already gone to seed. I know you hate spraying but those things are impossible to control without spraying. 2. The paddock you just put your herd into looks like it may already be heading. Is the picture misleading or is that true? If so you are falling behind on your rotation. 3. Your bull looks overconditioned to me. Again maybe I'm nit picking but just thought I would mention those few things that stood out to me. How's your corn coming along? I just put mine in a couple days ago.

Don't worry about being "critical" - I've been married to one woman long enough so that I can take it...along with 8 kids, I am used to criticism!

1) Yes there are a lot of dandelions this year and yes in that paddock they have gone to seed but to be honest I don't care. Dandelions make excellent grazing and if you look at the manure photos there are little or no sign of them after grazing the cows love them. Mostly what I am mowing for is thistle and also to even up the stand as well as distribute the manure piles.

2) yes the paddock I just put them in is a bit over mature and yes I am falling behind. Or maybe the grass is going ahead to fast with the cool spring and recent rains...

When people ask me how many head of cattle I have my standard answer is not enough in the spring time and too many in the late summer/early fall. Right now it is not enough to keep up. Especially since I don't make hay. I will just let them take what they can then mow it up high so it comes back strong when I need it again in July.

3) yes my bull is a bit over conditioned. certainly not from grain however. I think it is like Dun's post about his "Pancho". T21 is naturally about 2100-2200 lb. He is now about 2300+ I am guessing. I will weigh him next week when the vet and I work them all. Like most of us probably a result of being bored. He has the pasture you see all to himself. Lots of clover, grass, mineral, whatever. He just needs more work.

I think he will slim down when he goes in with my cows along with my neighbors in a couple weeks. I see no way of reducing his input with me not here full time.

As far as corn goes, I striptilled 4/28 and planted corn 4/29. It's up but not as far along as it should be due to lack of heat units. Those dandelions however are growing very aggressively. That's why I need to get off of the computer right now and go spray with glypho. Here I was thinking I was going to not have the late wet corn crop this year but now looking like it is going to be just like the past few...we'll see.

I'm glad to hear you are getting it in. Some folks in that swamp known as NE SD and SE ND are reaching the point where it has to go in or else. You are not alone.

Thanks for your comments.

Jim

 

[KNERSIE]

3. Your bull looks overconditioned to me.

No idea what breed(s) you use, but your comment is typical of someone not understanding the hereford breed. A good hereford should get fat on good grass to use as an energy reserve in lean times, the breeders has already tried to make continentals out of them with limited success, but massive loss of marketshare.

 

[JHH]

Nice as always Jim. Your bull looks like he is doing well, need to get him back in with the girls. My grass is growing good here to. I have been busy trying to get the wires up but do have a few done. Hard to do with rain every few days.

 

[agmantoo]

Here is a pic of my bull that is totally on pasture forage all year. I like to see him put on a little weight in times of plenty as he may drop a few pounds in a drought or through the Winter. To me this is totally natural. I wish you could see more of him and that he wasn't quiet as dirty but he is on the job and has his working clothes on.

 

[SRBeef]

3. Your bull looks overconditioned to me.

No idea what breed(s) you use, but your comment is typical of someone not understanding the hereford breed. A good hereford should get fat on good grass to use as an energy reserve in lean times, the breeders has already tried to make continentals out of them with limited success, but massive loss of marketshare.

Knersie you got me thinking today, as you often do. Looking at my bull above he IS getting some fat on him from the clover and grass in this holding pasture pictured behind him. T21 does have good grass genetics from Jerry Huth's breeding and methods. So T21's offspring should have some good grass genetics too.

I was out looking at the tremendous stand of clover, mixed with grasses in the field behind my bull and in another adjacent field. I should really have made some hay there. It is likely going to past it's prime by the time I can put the herd in there.

You comment about good Hereford grass genetics led me to decide to keep some of my steers next spring with my bull through the May flush especially this clover and harvest a few of them heavier and later rather than straight off of corn. I will then compare the beef from the two finishing methods. I like the side by side T-bones on the grill test! May need to do it twice to be sure!

Thanks for the thought provoking input, Harley. Jim

 

[shaz]

Trying to catch up with you intensive grazing guys. My drag just came in and I got it set up - now it's REALLY obvious that my manure distribution is bad due to the paddock size. Time to put up more fence but I'm stuck in the hayfield or at work until further notice.

Anyway, your grass and cows look really good. Mine do too but I used 60tons of chicken litter :|

 

[SRBeef]

Trying to catch up with you intensive grazing guys. My drag just came in and I got it set up - now it's REALLY obvious that my manure distribution is bad due to the paddock size. Time to put up more fence but I'm stuck in the hayfield or at work until further notice.

Anyway, your grass and cows look really good. Mine do too but I used 60tons of chicken litter :|

Sounds good - a little aluminum wire on a reel some step-ins and electric fence can take care of that paddock size.

60 TONS of chicken litter? That sounds like a lot of volume to me. Combine that with more intensive grazing and I think you will really have some carrying capacity there. Good luck! Jim

 

[Angus Cowman]

60 TONS of chicken litter? That sounds like a lot of volume to me. Good luck! Jim

Depends on the amount of acres it was put on

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Our grass started out really really early like gang busters - than stopped DEAD. Really growing super fast again (got some hot weather although no rain), definately getting ahead of the cattle. I like the idea of the roller behind the flail mower - does a great job.