Super cool! I don't have a farm, but it's a kick to learn about the behind-the-scenes that you farmers work through. Thanks for the video! I'm looking forward to the full 45 minutes.
How did you feel this compared to how many ewes you were grazing on your land in the past? Also, do you plan on revisiting the numbers as your land continues to get better?
Good questions. I know I was overstocked previously because my forage quality was so low. I was having to supplement with hay. I still do in a lot of areas. As for increasing the flock, I'd like to. It is a matter of time management. I getting busier and I'm by myself a lot so it's harder to have more. We shall see how things shake out.
Interesting 🤠🇺🇸👍 Im not grazing anything but tomorrow I'm making a square for my knuckle head brother. And mail it to him with a link to your channel. Its info like this thats greatly needed. So thank you!
Interesting. I have to say though that there are variables involved here like the time of year,rain etc. The nutritional value found in the grass changes with these variables. Protein,carbohydrates etc are different in fresh grasses as opposed to dry hay. Also the time in the growth cycle that said grasses are cut have a bearing on nutritional quality. This is why the window for cutting ideal quality hay is limited. Also,the sheep are grazing on fresh growing forage but the measurement calculations are for dry forage. I may just be overthinking. 🧐 While I have not personally raised sheep I have done some research over the years. I have however for 35 years,cared for horses,from pleasure to performance to breeding. Pasture management and quality and hay quality were very important. I’m not sure I have explained my thoughts clearly but I guess what I am saying is fresh grass and dry grass are like comparing apples and oranges they are both fruits but yet different. Then add quality......that can change things again. Maybe I just need a cup of tea or a glass of wine and it will all make better sense. 😬😉
At least 3 errors here. 1) By waiting 12 days from cutting sample to drying it, significant DM loss due to continued cellular respiration. 2)12 days additional grass growth from sampling to making calculations. Grass probably grew considerably. 3) imagine how much more the grass will grow by the time you get to paddock #45. The lambs however will be eating more by then.
I disagree. 1. The loss is in water weight, not DM. Solid matter doesn't disintegrate into thin air by just sitting in a bag. 2. This is irrelevant to determining DM forage availability. When taking the sample, you are taking a snapshot in time. The DM availability will always be changing depending on all the variable I discussed in my other video on this. The method in this video trains the eye to be able to make a really good estimate about how much forage is available at any given time. 3. Again, this is irrelevant. See point 2. And regarding lamb growth, this is all based on percentage of body weight so as long as you adjust the weight in the equation, it is sound.
@@TheGrassfedHomestead sugars in solution in the forage will continue to be consumed by cellular respiration until expended or plant material is dessicated. True in your 2 acre example it really isn't relevant, but you may have someone with 100 acres trying to learn from you. My background BS Agricultural Science, 45 years in cattle business.
If what you're saying is true (that the matter simply vanishes and the DM will actually weigh less somehow - my understanding is matter converts but doesn't vanish) that the number gets more conservative which is good! Using a conservative figure reduces the likelihood of having more ruminants than one can support. Also, I mentioned the 12 days in my video for disclosure purposes. Most people who do this don't have to work around a filming schedule to do these tests. I also don't have a microwave currently so I had to wait until I had access to one. Because I waited 12 days doesn't mean anyone else will wait that long. I wasn't recommending nor does the book recommend any delay in drying. If someone is learning from me, they wouldn't have learned to wait 12 days. It was just based on my personal circumstances.
@@TheGrassfedHomestead the sugars in cellular respiration will react with oxygen and produce carbon dioxide, water, and heat. Yes all 3 errors make the calculation more conservative.
Seems like the most important part of this calculation is how honest on is about the health, species and density of the pasture.
That would be a variable, for sure. This is assuming you have palatable forage for the animals, not thistles and a bunch of stuff they won't eat.
That's a great tool to get started with.
Super cool! I don't have a farm, but it's a kick to learn about the behind-the-scenes that you farmers work through. Thanks for the video! I'm looking forward to the full 45 minutes.
just like i was taught, 1 cow or its equal in weight per acre, great video
Super helpful - thank you so much.
Glad it was helpful!
A lot of good info
Great information. I am going out to make a square right now. Thanks so much for sharing.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching.
Great video Dan thank you for the information!
Good stuff, Dan. Going to have to try that out this spring/summer.
Thanks, Wardog
How did you feel this compared to how many ewes you were grazing on your land in the past? Also, do you plan on revisiting the numbers as your land continues to get better?
Good questions. I know I was overstocked previously because my forage quality was so low. I was having to supplement with hay. I still do in a lot of areas. As for increasing the flock, I'd like to. It is a matter of time management. I getting busier and I'm by myself a lot so it's harder to have more. We shall see how things shake out.
Interesting 🤠🇺🇸👍 Im not grazing anything but tomorrow I'm making a square for my knuckle head brother. And mail it to him with a link to your channel. Its info like this thats greatly needed. So thank you!
Trebor!!! Long time no see!!! Welcome back and thanks for the kind feedback!
Interesting. I have to say though that there are variables involved here like the time of year,rain etc. The nutritional value found in the grass changes with these variables. Protein,carbohydrates etc are different in fresh grasses as opposed to dry hay. Also the time in the growth cycle that said grasses are cut have a bearing on nutritional quality. This is why the window for cutting ideal quality hay is limited. Also,the sheep are grazing on fresh growing forage but the measurement calculations are for dry forage. I may just be overthinking. 🧐 While I have not personally raised sheep I have done some research over the years. I have however for 35 years,cared for horses,from pleasure to performance to breeding. Pasture management and quality and hay quality were very important. I’m not sure I have explained my thoughts clearly but I guess what I am saying is fresh grass and dry grass are like comparing apples and oranges they are both fruits but yet different. Then add quality......that can change things again. Maybe I just need a cup of tea or a glass of wine and it will all make better sense. 😬😉
It certainly isn't 100% precise but it gives you a good idea of what you can support, especially if you're just starting out
@@TheGrassfedHomestead yes definitely and remember I am just thinking aloud well thinking in text.
At least 3 errors here.
1) By waiting 12 days from cutting sample to drying it, significant DM loss due to continued cellular respiration.
2)12 days additional grass growth from sampling to making calculations. Grass probably grew considerably.
3) imagine how much more the grass will grow by the time you get to paddock #45. The lambs however will be eating more by then.
I disagree.
1. The loss is in water weight, not DM. Solid matter doesn't disintegrate into thin air by just sitting in a bag.
2. This is irrelevant to determining DM forage availability. When taking the sample, you are taking a snapshot in time. The DM availability will always be changing depending on all the variable I discussed in my other video on this. The method in this video trains the eye to be able to make a really good estimate about how much forage is available at any given time.
3. Again, this is irrelevant. See point 2. And regarding lamb growth, this is all based on percentage of body weight so as long as you adjust the weight in the equation, it is sound.
@@TheGrassfedHomestead sugars in solution in the forage will continue to be consumed by cellular respiration until expended or plant material is dessicated.
True in your 2 acre example it really isn't relevant, but you may have someone with 100 acres trying to learn from you. My background BS Agricultural Science, 45 years in cattle business.
If what you're saying is true (that the matter simply vanishes and the DM will actually weigh less somehow - my understanding is matter converts but doesn't vanish) that the number gets more conservative which is good! Using a conservative figure reduces the likelihood of having more ruminants than one can support.
Also, I mentioned the 12 days in my video for disclosure purposes. Most people who do this don't have to work around a filming schedule to do these tests. I also don't have a microwave currently so I had to wait until I had access to one. Because I waited 12 days doesn't mean anyone else will wait that long. I wasn't recommending nor does the book recommend any delay in drying. If someone is learning from me, they wouldn't have learned to wait 12 days. It was just based on my personal circumstances.
@@TheGrassfedHomestead the sugars in cellular respiration will react with oxygen and produce carbon dioxide, water, and heat.
Yes all 3 errors make the calculation more conservative.
Clever 🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑
First