What I'm Learning About Quality Pasture

[furholler]

If you're interested in learning what I am learning about quality pasture, feel free to read about it at my blog by clicking here: Cedar Cove Farm
Happy reading!

[furholler]

I just posted article number 2. Check it out. Click the link below. Thanks.

[furholler]

I just posted article number 3. Check it out if your interested. Thanks. Cedar Cove Farm

[TulleyJohnMyers]

I read the book also... why I also posted a thread did anybody use worm castings as fertilizer........I am trying to buy worms now.....I have bought a one point chesle plow ..planning on running it across the field dropping worms in as I go.....bought my own lime spreader going to put down 500 lbs lime every year ..see how that works.......fertilizer this year I have been told will be in the $500 to $600 a ton......with it that high we will need to control the weeds also or they will soak up the fertilizer instead of the grass....planted 25 acres of bermuda grass this year ......tjm

[furholler]

Originally Posted by TulleyJohnMyers

I read the book also... why I also posted a thread did anybody use worm castings as fertilizer........I am trying to buy worms now.....I have bought a one point chesle plow ..planning on running it across the field dropping worms in as I go.....bought my own lime spreader going to put down 500 lbs lime every year ..see how that works.......fertilizer this year I have been told will be in the $500 to $600 a ton......with it that high we will need to control the weeds also or they will soak up the fertilizer instead of the grass....planted 25 acres of bermuda grass this year ......tjm

With proper grazing management, weeds should not be a problem. In fact, the cattle will eat them and they are quite nutritious. Check out a website www.livestockforlandscapes.com it is qutie interesting. We succeded in getting out cow and bull to eat Sericia Lespedeza and I was told by many that cattle would not touch it.

[Up North]

furholler- You have heard the tired cliche about how an onion has many layers.
Well, IMO the practice of grass farming using rotational grazing is more like a whole field of onions. You pick up an onion, peel it away layer by layer as you learn. When you get to the center of the first onion, you can reach down and pull up the next one.
I suspect that no man will make it all the way across the field of onions in one human lifetime. But isn't it wonderful that we can make the journey?

For cool season grasses you might consider aspiring to a stand of fescue with about 30% white clover in it.
We are going to be establishing some stands of Coastal Bermuda for warm season grasses which will feed cattle from May to Sept, and then go dormant
during the winter. We like it's super tough sod which stands up well against pugging and it's drought resistance. I do not know how Coastal Bermuda would fare at your location. Does well here in south central KS.

I think the key to maximizing days of grazing per year is variety. Always have something else you can move livestock to that is green and growing.

Well, you know someone is following your observations and thoughts!

[furholler]

Originally Posted by Up North

furholler- You have heard the tired cliche about how an onion has many layers.
Well, IMO the practice of grass farming using rotational grazing is more like a whole field of onions. You pick up an onion, peel it away layer by layer as you learn. When you get to the center of the first onion, you can reach down and pull up the next one.
I suspect that no man will make it all the way across the field of onions in one human lifetime. But isn't it wonderful that we can make the journey?

For cool season grasses you might consider aspiring to a stand of fescue with about 30% white clover in it.
We are going to be establishing some stands of Coastal Bermuda for warm season grasses which will feed cattle from May to Sept, and then go dormant
during the winter. We like it's super tough sod which stands up well against pugging and it's drought resistance. I do not know how Coastal Bermuda would fare at your location. Does well here in south central KS.

I think the key to maximizing days of grazing per year is variety. Always have something else you can move livestock to that is green and growing.

Well, you know someone is following your observations and thoughts!

Thanks. You words are an encouragement. From the studying I've been doing, I'm not sure I can grow clover efficiently, yet. The soil just isn't ready. You are right, this is an incredible journey and I'm enjoying it very much.
I have been looking at meadow bromegrass, they say it will grow in acidic soil and does rather well. Do you know anything about that? I will research coastal bermuda. I have a friend that planted 10 acres of bermuda and it took off very well. Of course, he has the equipment. But it looks good and thick. With proper rain fall, he says he should get 3 cuttings off it. He cut it once last year and I believe he said he got 700 small square bales. Wow!
I don't think I'll ever know enough about this stuff, but I'll have fun trying.

[furholler]

Article four has been posted. Thanks.

[Up North]

furholler - I am not familiar with meadow bromegrass. Having moved from 870 miles north of here recently, I am faced with the prospect of learning many new things regards to plants, soils, and weather cycles.
The Adventure continues...LOL.

[francismilker]

I've also learned that the key is to keep something green and growing year round for them to eat on. For the most part, I'm able to keep common bermuda during the hot months and rye grass in the cooler months. I've not tried anything yet that will produce good all through the cooler months of winter. Fortunately, here in SE Oklahoma where I'm at, the winter night temps are normally right at or above 32. While we do have several nights in the teens and twenties I'm not sure what to plant for winter grazing.

[furholler]

Originally Posted by francismilker

I've also learned that the key is to keep something green and growing year round for them to eat on. For the most part, I'm able to keep common bermuda during the hot months and rye grass in the cooler months. I've not tried anything yet that will produce good all through the cooler months of winter. Fortunately, here in SE Oklahoma where I'm at, the winter night temps are normally right at or above 32. While we do have several nights in the teens and twenties I'm not sure what to plant for winter grazing.

Jim Gerrish and Greg Judy say that tall fescue is the way to go for cool season grass. I think the real problem lies within the soil.

[RosewoodfarmVA]

Tall fescue works well for stockpiling because it retains nutrition long into the winter, but as to actually growing during freezing weather, it won't do much.

You mentioned lezpedeza.....it is common around here, and we have about 4 acres of it. It is a good feed if kept young/leafy...just like any plant. When we cut it for hay, it's about 2 feet tall, and very leafy-not stalky or rough yet. The cows and goats gobble it up. Like with any plant, the younger it is when cut/grazed, the more it will be eaten.

[milkinpigs]

Originally Posted by francismilker

I've also learned that the key is to keep something green and growing year round for them to eat on. For the most part, I'm able to keep common bermuda during the hot months and rye grass in the cooler months. I've not tried anything yet that will produce good all through the cooler months of winter. Fortunately, here in SE Oklahoma where I'm at, the winter night temps are normally right at or above 32. While we do have several nights in the teens and twenties I'm not sure what to plant for winter grazing.

Not that far from you; for winter grazing you might try oats and or rye; elbon rye is really good in sandy soils.

[furholler]

Originally Posted by RosewoodfarmVA

Tall fescue works well for stockpiling because it retains nutrition long into the winter, but as to actually growing during freezing weather, it won't do much.

You mentioned lezpedeza.....it is common around here, and we have about 4 acres of it. It is a good feed if kept young/leafy...just like any plant. When we cut it for hay, it's about 2 feet tall, and very leafy-not stalky or rough yet. The cows and goats gobble it up. Like with any plant, the younger it is when cut/grazed, the more it will be eaten.

Our bull and cow gobbled the lespedeza with out it being cut at chest high on me, very stemmy. Well, I should clarify. At first they ate the ends, then they worked their way down to within a few inches of the ground. Kathy Voss of livestockforlandscapes.com says animals know what they need when they need it nutritionally. Sirecea Lespedeza is quite nutritious, I came to find out.

[furholler]

Originally Posted by milkinpigs

Not that far from you; for winter grazing you might try oats and or rye; elbon rye is really good in sandy soils.

I'm looking for something that will grow in clay-ish, acidic soil, year round, until I can gain some on the soil condition. I looked at meadow bromegrass, do you have any other suggestions?

[furholler]

Article five has been posted. Thanks for your interest.

[furholler]

Hi. I just posted number six. This is a good one, don't miss it. Click here Cedar Cove Farm Thanks and enjoy.

[Karin L]

Those are great reads.

I may be a bit late, but in response to your third-last post, for clayey acidic soil, smooth brome grass, orchard grass, crested wheatgrass, Canada wild rye and Russian wild rye are some good grass species to grow for winter grazing. I don't think meadow brome would do you much good, because it seems to have a tendancy to flatten out under the snow, making it kinda hard for the cattle to graze it when there is a good amount of snow on the ground. The species that are less likely to lay flat easy, like Russian Wild Rye and the wheatgrasses, are your best bet for winter grazing.

Just some two cents of mine.

[matt_man]

Snow would not be a problem as it only snows maybe once or twice a year here and only lasts on the ground a few days. (furholler and I are neighbors) But thank-you for alternative suggestions as we are also wanting to reseed pastures.

Rachel

[furholler]

Originally Posted by Karin L

Those are great reads.

I may be a bit late, but in response to your third-last post, for clayey acidic soil, smooth brome grass, orchard grass, crested wheatgrass, Canada wild rye and Russian wild rye are some good grass species to grow for winter grazing. I don't think meadow brome would do you much good, because it seems to have a tendancy to flatten out under the snow, making it kinda hard for the cattle to graze it when there is a good amount of snow on the ground. The species that are less likely to lay flat easy, like Russian Wild Rye and the wheatgrasses, are your best bet for winter grazing.

Just some two cents of mine.

Excellent! Thanks for that tid-bit!

Article 7 has been posted. Click below my signature to read. Thanks.