Waterlogged pasture

Ironbutt · #1 06/30/13, 06:58 AM

We have had 30 straight days of rain from thunderstorms here. Ranging from 1/2 inch to 2.5 inches of rain at the time. Yesterday we got 3 thunderstorms for a total of 2 inches of rain. My high spots that the cows have been congregating on now have water standing on them.
When they graze most of their paddock now they are standing in 3-4 inches of water. Only place I can move them to be out of the water is the feed lot back at the barn or inside the barn. Would have to feed hay if I move them.
They are still wading into the paddock to graze what isnot beat down by the rain. I have quit controlled grazing and just open up a couple days of grazing at a time now. I am worried about hoof rot and the flies are really bad. Anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?

sammyd · #2 06/30/13, 08:10 AM

switch to rice production...

karenp · #3 06/30/13, 08:10 AM

We have a similar problem, and the mosquitos...

agmantoo · #4 06/30/13, 12:39 PM

Get some milo/sorghum/millet seed now and broadcast the seed and let the cattle walk them in. This will give you some late summer/early fall grazing. In early Sept. do the same with grass seed and you should get a good recovery. If possible use a drag harrow in the grass seeding exercise to level the soil and to get some soil cover.

sammyd · #5 06/30/13, 01:43 PM

how ya gonna use a drag harrow if you sink the tractor?
Get em out of the soup and onto dry land.
You will be saving them and your pastures.

agmantoo · #6 06/30/13, 06:11 PM

Ironbutt is in NC. The rain will cease soon and it will turn dry. Next we will be wanting a hurricane to come up the coast to get some water.

goodhors · #7 06/30/13, 06:46 PM

Guess I would take some time to put them in the feed lot area daily, so they can dry their hooves out. Can you make a runway for them to come out of the field to feed lot, so you don't have to run them up? Should be worth it to feed them some grain or a couple round bales, as reward for coming up. Then shut the gate, lock them in the feed lot and let them overnight in there. Turn them out again the next day to graze what they can. Repeat daily until fields dry out, no standing water.

Getting them dry places to lay down, dry their legs and hooves, SHOULD help prevent hoof rot, dermatitis of the legs. Cheaper than having to deal with lame cattle, treating for hoof rot and skin problems in money and time. Sorry about the extra work, cost of feeding them up in the lot.

nchobbyfarm · #8 06/30/13, 08:57 PM

Good luck. Others will have better advice. I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. 19 inches in my rain gauge in the month of June and I can hear the water in the gutter now as I type. Feast or famine. Drought the last 2 years and now continuous rain. As I said, good luck!