Rotational Grazing Tips and Tricks - Part 1

So, I thought I'd document some of the things I've learned in my now third year of rotational grazing.  So, in no particular order here goes:

1)  Put in a temporary cross fence if you can.  A cross fence is a fence you don't move that you use to split up the field into manageable sized chunks.  The goal is to make the amount of temporary fence you have to set up each time as short as possible, but make larger moves of the temporary fence to get the size of paddock you want.

2). If you can't set up a temporary cross fence, make portable corner posts (pictured) so you can run your reels to the center of the field and not have the cows kick them around or have them hanging from flimsy temporary posts.  Also, the portable corner posts allow you to pull a little tension without fear of having your reel take down the temporary post you would have otherwise hung the reel on.

3)  Put up a back fence to keep the cows from grazing where they've already been whenever you can; it'll help tremendously with regrowth.

4)  Do not graze down to a height less than 4" of plant.  You drastically start reducing the energy the plant has available to regrow and you will also decrease your total pasture yield.  

5)  Do not graze the same area again until you have plenty of regrowth.  If you do graze it before it has had a chance to fully grow back, you will significantly reduce the plant's ability to regenerate and will likely increase weed pressure in your pasture. 

6) Horn and face flies are a problem, especially if you are trying to eliminate pesticides and antibiotic use.  Do your research and get your control methods in place before they become a problem.  Speaking from experience here... 

That's all for today!  I hope these were informative! 

 Be blessed.

-Kenny

My portable brace post made out of rebar.