We use poly wire and timed latches to keep them moving 2-3 times per day. I want one bite taken, and a lot of trampling, so when they come back it’s like a nice spring flush. But I’m very fortunate with the annual precip we get. I don’t have to be as smart as most guys and gals. The west is known for cattle, but people don’t realize how much premium products comes from the other side of the Mississippi. We have a lot of ponds. I don’t back fence until we get to the next pond, or if conditions require it, I’ll put up a lane.
This was great. There is so much confusion around rotational grazing but this video was very clear and concise, thank you! We have 80 acres in central Montana that we are trying to figure out how to best make a living off of with such small acreage. I look forward to watching more of your videos.
I loved this video! But there was one thing you said that didn't make sense to me. It's at 3:38. "Now if 60 days is the right recovery period, there probably won't be much regrowth by then, so we've probably stopped the overgrazing." If there is not much regrowth by then, it would seem like 60 days is not enough of a recover period, right? Because what makes it the right recovery period is that there is plenty of regrowth, right? And also, if there is not much regrowth, then it would seem like the overgrazing has not stopped, because the stopping of the overgrazing should produce abundant regrowth, right? I mean, isn't that the point of stopping overgrazing ... to produce lots of regrowth? I would've expected you to say, "Now if 60 days is the right recovery period, there probably will be lots of regrowth by then, so we've probably stopped the overgrazing." Did you misspeak, or am I missing something here?
I think he meant that with 8 paddocks on a 60-day cycle, there wouldn't be much regrowth in a single paddock's 8.5-day grazing period. So 24+ paddocks are better because the cattle learn to eat everything indiscriminately when they get moved to new paddocks before they can pick and choose. They don't have an opportunity to overgraze anything before they get moved along after less than three days.
okay but how many animals on how much paddock? If I have 5 sheep on 8 -1/2 acre paddocks and my neighbor has 25 sheep on the same size and number of paddocks. That's a huge difference. So what is the base number of animals here?
It depends on how good your pasture is and your climate. The thing is, if you do what he said, it will increase every year because your pasture will be improving. The general rule is a decent pasture is 7 sheep.
I rotationally grazed milk cows for 40yrs... very profitable! But how many dairy farmers do you see grazing cows ? Almost none ! The reason......because the grass becomes overgrown....non vegetative. Once grass is over 6 inches tall....its should be cut for hay. Yes.....stock cows are force to eat it. I always ask that question about stock cows producing milk for their calves? I though it was about milk production ? Obviously not ! A milk cow would go dry eating such grass ! Then you have over manuring ! Once a cow poops....it takes almost two years before a cow will eat over that same area. Mob grazing serves to that issue. Over manuring meaning after the second rotation probably 50% is no longer useable. Therefore haying is the best option.
Manure can be handled two ways: 1. Use chickens, sheep, or pigs to follow and break up the patties. Chickens do it the best. 2. Use a harrow. The scenario you described only comes true when the patties stay undisturbed in low rain and humidity environments.
This is one of the most clear videos on these topics. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
We use poly wire and timed latches to keep them moving 2-3 times per day. I want one bite taken, and a lot of trampling, so when they come back it’s like a nice spring flush. But I’m very fortunate with the annual precip we get. I don’t have to be as smart as most guys and gals. The west is known for cattle, but people don’t realize how much premium products comes from the other side of the Mississippi.
We have a lot of ponds. I don’t back fence until we get to the next pond, or if conditions require it, I’ll put up a lane.
This was great. There is so much confusion around rotational grazing but this video was very clear and concise, thank you! We have 80 acres in central Montana that we are trying to figure out how to best make a living off of with such small acreage. I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Well explained. Thanks.
Ranching For Profit is the best kept secret in the regenerative ag movement
Ah thanks for the kind words! But we hope you share our content so we don't stay a secret to folks in ag. 😉
I loved this video! But there was one thing you said that didn't make sense to me. It's at 3:38. "Now if 60 days is the right recovery period, there probably won't be much regrowth by then, so we've probably stopped the overgrazing." If there is not much regrowth by then, it would seem like 60 days is not enough of a recover period, right? Because what makes it the right recovery period is that there is plenty of regrowth, right? And also, if there is not much regrowth, then it would seem like the overgrazing has not stopped, because the stopping of the overgrazing should produce abundant regrowth, right? I mean, isn't that the point of stopping overgrazing ... to produce lots of regrowth?
I would've expected you to say, "Now if 60 days is the right recovery period, there probably will be lots of regrowth by then, so we've probably stopped the overgrazing." Did you misspeak, or am I missing something here?
I think he meant that with 8 paddocks on a 60-day cycle, there wouldn't be much regrowth in a single paddock's 8.5-day grazing period. So 24+ paddocks are better because the cattle learn to eat everything indiscriminately when they get moved to new paddocks before they can pick and choose. They don't have an opportunity to overgraze anything before they get moved along after less than three days.
Trouble is people overgraze to get greedy for a few dollars more of income
Or they are too dumb to understand the land capacity
okay but how many animals on how much paddock? If I have 5 sheep on 8 -1/2 acre paddocks and my neighbor has 25 sheep on the same size and number of paddocks. That's a huge difference. So what is the base number of animals here?
It depends on how good your pasture is and your climate. The thing is, if you do what he said, it will increase every year because your pasture will be improving. The general rule is a decent pasture is 7 sheep.
@@PeterSedesse Thank You
180 (1 day each) - rebuild the seed bank, and have grass in the winter
Can you please elaborate?
It's more like 95% over graze from what I see in central MO.
I rotationally grazed milk cows for 40yrs... very profitable! But how many dairy farmers do you see grazing cows ? Almost none ! The reason......because the grass becomes overgrown....non vegetative. Once grass is over 6 inches tall....its should be cut for hay. Yes.....stock cows are force to eat it. I always ask that question about stock cows producing milk for their calves? I though it was about milk production ? Obviously not ! A milk cow would go dry eating such grass ! Then you have over manuring ! Once a cow poops....it takes almost two years before a cow will eat over that same area. Mob grazing serves to that issue. Over manuring meaning after the second rotation probably 50% is no longer useable. Therefore haying is the best option.
Manure can be handled two ways:
1. Use chickens, sheep, or pigs to follow and break up the patties. Chickens do it the best.
2. Use a harrow.
The scenario you described only comes true when the patties stay undisturbed in low rain and humidity environments.
@@richardbourestontn Or if you are using ivermectin and have killed all your dung beetles
@@richardbourestontn Do you use the harrow right after you move the animals to the next paddock?
Worms and dung beetles should help