Rotational grazing?

colemangirly · #21 03/08/12, 06:11 PM

Thank you so much for that additional info, this is exactly what I am looking for. I plan on using portable electric fencing for crossfencing as I already have quite a bit of it for my goats at my place. The perimiter fence will probably be woven field fence for goats.

Again, thank you SOOO much.
Rosina

Alice In TX/MO · #22 03/08/12, 07:14 PM

Four strands of electric fence will not keep goats in. Especially clever goats.

With that many acres and that few animals, there is NO reason to go through the expense and HUGE time suck of labor to cross fence.

Edited to add: I've had cattle, horses, and now goats. The only time I did cross fencing was when I had 30 cow calf pairs on 100 acres. This part of Texas can support that concentration normally, but not in the drought last year. 100 acres wouldn't support one cow calf pair last year.

The purpose of cross fencing is to concentrate the consumption to a small area, then move the animals to another paddock quickly. With the very small number of animals you are talking about, you will never have enough animals in paddock to impact it.

Whisperwindkat · #23 03/09/12, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colemangirly

My parents would think they NEED to be fenced, lol.

No really. I don't want to over graze it. I already have the extra goats, will not buy sheep. I figure the goats will clean up the brush to help make a LITTLE more pasture for the ponies. I don't want to graze it down as there isn't much grass to begin with. I am trying to find out the types of grasses and such that would be good for the species that I am already raising. I want to divide the acreage into small paddocks and rotate the ponies and goats followed by the chickens. I was thinking 4-5 pastures of about 5 acres each and allowing the animals one week in each pasture. If I get 5 sections that allows each one one month rest. We have MOSTLY fescue, but I don't know what other types of grasses to plant to provide year round forage. I would like to add orchard grass, timothy, clover, a small amount of alfalfa, and possibly rye (I think that is winter). I don't know the amount to put of each. Most of the grass will be for the ponies as the goats will have all the scrub browse they could possibly eat.

Thank you to the person who posted the Missouri grass info, it is helpful. I am stuck using grasses that I can seed with as I don't have the equipment for plugs and such. Also, do I have to plow before seeding? I hate the thought of spreading seed just to have the birds eat it. Will I have to borrow a plow? I have never run a farm or anything like it before and am trying to figure all this out, so layman's terms are good for me.

I appreciate all the help you have all given me so far.

Rosina

We are a little further south than you. We have overseeded with clover and bahia for spring and summer grazing. Then each year we overseed with annual rye for winter grazing. Sometimes I throw out some "other" seed such as turnips, collards and other greens. I have also planted small patches of field peas and kept in small patches is easily doable by hand. It has taken time though to build the soil and restore the fertility of the fields. When we first moved here the ground was fallow and growing loads of weeds, but not much of anything else. Before we got the tractor, I had someone deliver loads and loads of horse manure which I let compost and then the next year I put that compost by hand on the pasture. I did that each year. I am still working on it, but now I have the tractor to spread out the compost. By building the soil the grasses and such grow better each year. Building the soil will be one of the best investments you make. Oh, and to keep the birds from getting your seed wait until it is pouring down rain to put it out. One year I overseeded with rye only to have hundreds of birds for the next few days eating it up. Overseeded again with the same results. I bought more seed, waiting until it was pouring down rain, threw out the seed and because the dirt splashes on the seed the birds tend to leave most of it alone. It also gives it real good contact with the soil even hard clay. In fact it is raining this morning so after I feed here in a bit then I am putting out some bahia on one of my small pastures. Good luck. Kat