Number of Cattle for my property

[carltonkaye]

I have 30 acres, split into 5 acre sections and tossing the idea around to do intensive grazing or something similar (every 4-5 days?). Can make smaller sections with electric fence. But my main question is, how many head of cattle should I put on 30 acres of local grass (western wa) on peat soil. I have averaged 75 #50 bales per acre, so #3,750 of feed per acre. Depending on grass height and maturity.

I own Herefords. Trying to set a goal of how many to have in all.

Thoughts? Opinions?

[carltonkaye]

I have another 30 acres for hay crop.

[COWS]

Very good hay yields. I'm 3000 miles away and not familiar with the area, but sounds like possibly a cow calf pair on 2 acres, but probably less. Get local advice.

KEH

[MO_cows]

Suggest you consult with your local extension agent. Also might want to start reading the Stockman Grass Farmer publication. Sounds like you have good potential for a rotational grazing system, if you can get water to all the sections.

[razephroot]

Figure they'll eat 3% of body weight per day, so for a 1000 lb cow, 30 pounds a day. For a 240 day grazing season, figure about 7200 lbs of grass, so about 1 per 2 acres or a little better using your hay yields as a gauge.

[JPiantedosi]

Depending how often you plan to rotate your cattle I cant see why you couldnt put 10-12 head on your place. If you will rotate them every couple days you should easily be able to get 12head on that. The only thing I would do Is rig up some sort of drag you can run across the fields after you rotate the cattle off of it, so that you can break down and spread the "fertilizer" cause obviously if you have 5acres covered in 4ac of poo they arent eating as much.

Jim

[carltonkaye]

Thanks everyone! Right now I have 40 head of all different sizes. Last summer I had 28 running on the place and we didn't do intensive grazing. I do have a drag and plan to use it.

Were you saying 10-12 per 5 acres or for 30 acres?

I have yet to call my local extension office, but I will.

[carltonkaye]

I am able to get water to all the sections and I have the Stockman Grass Farmer on its way

[agmantoo]

For post number 1 I would think you could run 17 mature animals for 365 days per year. With post number 2 added, I am uncertain but 22 head or more should be possible. If you were to do extensive rotational grazing of both parcels 40 head should be achievable.

[DEKE01]

agmantoo - won't the 30 hay acres produce more feed as rotated pasture than it does as mowed hay?

[agmantoo]

Yes definitely the hay land will be more productive as rotationally grazed acreage. My answer factored going to year round grazing. At 60 acres I was expecting to carry the broad cows (40) and their offspring until the offspring were weaned/sold for a full 365 days, no hay or the expense thereof. I lived in Portland Oregon and I know that area and north of there is very productive and benefits from abundant rainfall.