Why does the Pasture need a cutting after grazing
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- Опубліковано 23 лип 2024
- In this episode, we discuss the importance of managing your pasture after you take the cattle off from grazing. This is commonly an overlooked component of quality managed grazing. By going in and clipping the undesirable plants that the cattle did not like. You reduce the propagation of undesirable plants and allow even competition with the desirable plants.
Agree with what you say,furthermore, cutting will weaken and deter the weeds and allow the pasture to tiller( thicken).
I think that's a great idea!
Butch
Ashland Ohio
I'd suggest a higher stocking density with enough that they're forced to eat the less desirable and rotate them on a daily basis so you don't over graze. Many ranchers have gotten an increase in the number of livestock they can have by doing this.
Hey there, Bryan! Thanks for sharing your perspective on the pasture clipping debate. I've heard a lot of differing opinions on this topic, and it's always interesting to hear new ideas.
Initially, I experimented with a high stocking density to encourage the animals to eat all of the pasture. However, I found that this often allowed undesirable plants to thrive and caused unnecessary stress on the cattle.
In my experience, clipping the pastures is a simple and effective way to keep everything uniform and prevent species like fescue from taking over. Plus, we can increase profitability and maintain soil quality by doing multi-species grazing and rotating the animals.
Ultimately, both approaches have pros and cons, and it's essential to find what works best for your particular situation. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, Bryan!
Once the cattle have taken down all their favourite feed then perhaps go through with a wick wiper and kill off the long straggly stuff they don’t like. This would allow the good pasture to spread without competition. Just a thought.
grazing management can be adjusted to the growth stage of the pasture; I suggest learning Holistic Grazing Management or Regenerative Grazing Management to get the best info on this subject - if you are interested in improving pasture, soil and animal health.
"Thank you for your thoughtful comment and suggestions. I completely agree with you that grazing management should be adjusted to the growth stage of the pasture, and methodologies such as Holistic Grazing Management and Regenerative Grazing Management offer valuable insights in this area.
I've had the opportunity to study these disciplines at the GrassWorks conference and many other grazing conferences, and I appreciate their emphasis on improving pasture, soil, and animal health. These are all principles that we strive to uphold here at Pigeon River Farm.
However, it's important to note that every farm and pasture is unique, and what works well in one situation might not be as effective in another. Over the past 20 years, we've found that the technique of clipping the pasture after cattle grazing, as discussed in the video, has been particularly effective for our specific conditions and needs.
That being said, we're always open to learning and adapting our practices as needed. I appreciate your input and will certainly keep these methodologies in mind as we continue to strive for the best possible pasture, soil, and animal health. Thanks again for your insight!"
i like this guy,
What machine is that you're clipping with?
A compost spraying program is probably the best way to enrich the soil. Doing so puts pressure on the successional plants (mostly weeds) because they really don't like healthy soil ("not their job" according to their union rep). Dr Elaine Ingham (UA-cam videos and more direct services in the US) will get you on the road to experimenting with microscopes, slides and bacterial/fungal balances. And more videos on adding that to your toolbox.
If they aren’t eating it the area is too big. I make mine eat all undesirables. Mine eat all weeds thistle, goat heads, night shade etc. I have 14 head in an area 17’ x 328’ they do not leave that area till they eat all undesirable down just like the desirables. Typically one to three days. The biggest the area the harder it is to have them eat undesirables my cattle eat weeds first then the grasses. I don’t not graze unless the grasses are completely seeded out and mature. The land has exponentially gotten better. I never mow I make the cattle and goats eat everything.
It's virtually impossible to get some guys to realize that they dont need to go drive machines around the pasture.
Good point, but sheep and goats are suckers. They’ll dive on that taller, less desirable forage.
Also, tighten up that paddock, take away their ability to browse their favorites. Even if means moving them twice per day. If you’ve been working with them, they will do all the work.
yes
Thanks for the comment: I currently run 25 meat goats with the cattle and they sure do help with weed suppression. Years ago I was utilizing a high-density rotation method and moving cattle as often as twice a day. We found on our particular soil and rainfall conditions that I had a lot of problems with soil disruption.
Also in the Midsummer, we get such a rapid growth in our pasture that taking the cutting for hay and moving the livestock more rapidly through the paddocks has given us the best result. Additionally, we have reduced our overall livestock density in the farm by around the third in the last 10 years.
I belong to a large Grazer Association here in the state of Wisconsin and I found around half our members take the approach of high-density grazing and the other half fall into the group that takes some type of cutting or clipping during the spring flush. Consider joining us over grassworks.org especially at our annual convention in January where all these different techniques are discussed with the best and brightest.
@@pigeonriverfarm6909 oh I def cut when we can’t keep up, the last thing we need is it going to anthesis. We had so much this year, but as you know, a tragedy could hit at any time.
I'm on 7 goats... much slower progress but man are they good at what they do.
Cheaper to just run some goats and sheep in after the cattle.
"Thank you for your insightful comment. You're absolutely right that goats and sheep can be a great addition to a grazing system as they tend to eat different plants compared to cattle, helping to control weeds and other undesirable plants. This practice, known as multi-species grazing, can indeed be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to manage pastures.
In fact, we do have a herd of 35 goats and 15 sheep on our farm, and they play a significant role in our pasture management. We do graze the goats and sheep after the cattle, and they help control many of the undesirable plants. Despite their contribution, we've found that clipping the pasture after this multi-species grazing still provides additional benefits. It helps to ensure an even start for all plants and prevents the dominance of less desirable plants that even the goats and sheep may not consume.
Every farm and pasture is unique, and what works well in one situation might not be as effective in another. In our case, the combination of multi-species grazing and pasture clipping has proven to be the most effective strategy.
We appreciate your input and are always open to exploring different methods. Your suggestion underscores the importance of continual learning and adaptation in farming. Thanks again for your insight!"
baling the less desirable forage dont sound a good idea, just leave this on the ground, spread it if you want...
Thanks for the comment: If we take a cutting on a very thin pasture growth it is left on the pasture and I utilize an organic biological spray to allow it to break down rapidly into the soil. If the density of the hay is worthy baling hay usually around a thousand pounds per acre or more we will baling hay for winter feed.
Our bale feeding can last as long as six months so we tried to take advantage of all the available hay on my own property and rented ground. After that, I need to be purchasing hay and that has been the biggest variable in the profitability of the livestock operation.
With proper management, we are getting approximately 5 tons of forage up substantially from a decade ago. Of that 5 tons around one ton of hay is taken off as Bales and the remaining is grazed by the cattle during both the warm season and some stockpiling that's left on the pasture during the winter for grazing.
That'll work well until it doesn't