pasture and what to do with it for 1 year...

[cindy-e]

Well, we just moved here 4 months ago. The pastures are in bad shape. this summer, we plan to get them back, bushhog, repair fences, repair barns... There are lots of tall thin trees that need to come down, barns that need painting and roof repair, fences needing mending, re-stretching or out and out replacing in places... that sort of thing. But as we look at the budget situation, we won't have the money to get any large livestock until another year later. We figure it is better to go on and fix it right this summer though than to do a half-job so we have the money to get animals too. =0)

But, the pasture will grow up in a year. It won't have the trees in it, but the grass will be very high. My question is this... Do you think it would be wise to rent out the pasture? Would somebody rent it if they knew it was only going to be for one year do you think? I have 10 acres. What are the risks I am taking to rent it?

[HDRider]

Originally Posted by cindy-e

Well, we just moved here 4 months ago. The pastures are in bad shape. this summer, we plan to get them back, bushhog, repair fences, repair barns... There are lots of tall thin trees that need to come down, barns that need painting and roof repair, fences needing mending, re-stretching or out and out replacing in places... that sort of thing. But as we look at the budget situation, we won't have the money to get any large livestock until another year later. We figure it is better to go on and fix it right this summer though than to do a half-job so we have the money to get animals too. =0)

But, the pasture will grow up in a year. It won't have the trees in it, but the grass will be very high. My question is this... Do you think it would be wise to rent out the pasture? Would somebody rent it if they knew it was only going to be for one year do you think? I have 10 acres. What are the risks I am taking to rent it?

Someone will rent it if you have water and fences. Beyond the one year, you might rent per head. Run how many you want and then run others' cattle on a per head basis if you have room/pasture/grass...

[punchiepal]

Biggest risk is bringing in disease from other animals. Johne's if you bring in cows for example. If it was us I think we would try to find someone to bale hay off it. Maybe offer 1/2 the hay for them to bale it then sell our half of the hay.

[cindy-e]

IDK how this posted twice, sorry. Thanks for the info tho! =0)

[Bearfootfarm]

It really won't hurt anything for it to go a year without use, and that would give you time to get your preferred grasses well established.

Do some soil testing, and think about what, if anything, you need to plant.
Then when you're ready for animals, the plants will have a good head start

[rambler]

The risk is liability.

As you own the fences and the land, any cattle get out and hurt someone, ultimately you will be held responsible. Be usre the renter has insurance on his livestock, and that your insurance will back you up in your business situation of renting out the pasture.

I would much prefer to rent it out for making hay; but anyone renting it from you would need to clearly know about hazards, exp the small tree stumps it appears you will have left that will destroy hay mowers????

Taking off hay is a really good way to get rid of weeds, and establish good grasses. Much better than grazing it.

--->Paul

[haypoint]

If you have a pure stand of some wonderful pasture grass, letting it grow and re-seed is a great idea.
However, if you have weeds and undesireable grasses, letting it grow is an awful idea. Pasturing it will help, if the animals eat down the weeds before they can re-seed. O
If the animals eat the good grasses, preventing re-seeding, and leave the weeds and unpalatable grasses, you have set yourselves back ten years.
Having livestock that belongs to others when your fence is in poor shape will make you liable. Plus, you won't be able to properly pull down and do major fixes while the cows are there.

[Chucknbob]

Agreed on renting out for hay. If nothing else, it keeps you from having to keep it mowed.

[Sparkie]

We would probably just bush hog it. If someone cuts it for hay they are taking fertility from your pastures.

I wouldn't rent it out for pasture for fear of bringing Johne's Disease onto your land. It wouldn't bring hardly anything in rent anyway being just 10 acres.

You need to be aware of Johne's as well when you start bringing your own animals in btw. Google it.

[PNWest]

Why not fix a portion of the pasture for two animals, [always 2, most animals are social] and the hay or flail mow the rest. This gives you pastures to rotate stock into when you have the grand scheme finished.

Fix some type of shelter, water source, and buy sheep for grass or goats if the pastures are brushy. Use collars with bells if you have dog packs or coyotes.

You can also use fence panels and or wire panels and just move an enclosure around like a chicken tractor. To do this with calves; you need them as young as possible so they are used to their enclosure as they grow.

It would be better to start with smaller animals, but this depends on your experience.
If you are a glutton for punishment, try raising baby dairy calves on bottles, but bummer lambs are possible. You grow in experience as the animals grow.

If you really want a mixture of animals before you are ready to care for them, put a notice on Craig's list. Many people need to get rid of what they have because of financial problems. Caution...this gets out of hand quickly. With many problems, sick, injured diseased etc. So be aware.

[mammabooh]

What kids of animals are you planning to get? If goats, I'd suggest just letting the pasture grow as it is. Goats prefer weeds, trees, and wild roses/blackberry bushes as opposed to pasture grasses.

[bruce2288]

It depends on what very bad shape means. If this pasture has been overgrazed, the best thing would be to be the grasses grow unharvested untill after they go dormant. This would allow the grass to store nutrrients and sugars in the roots and increase root mass.