Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

permaculture - Re: [permaculture] Pasture Renovation and Fertility

permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: permaculture

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Mark <mpludwig@facstaff.wisc.edu>
  • To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [permaculture] Pasture Renovation and Fertility
  • Date: Tue, 06 Aug 2002 13:02:59 -0500

At 09:19 AM 8/5/02 -0400, you wrote:
Just not sure. I'm seriously considering forgoing hay, which might amount to
only 15 bales and letting the cattle out on that field. Of course I may have
waited too long.

Thats the right answer! Now your thinking like a beef guy!

In planning paddocks despite what some I have said I'm trying to find a way
to incorporate shade into as many paddocks as I can. The water, however, in
the piped system will be in center of field where there is no shade. I'm
really concerned whether cattle will drink as much as needed without shade.

They will, the biggest challenge is getting them to drink one at a time rather than as a mob. The closer they are to water (within 300 feet?) You might use two tanks also, that helps a lot. The cow will knock the tank over BTW, use a big tank or strategic poly wire to protect them.

On the eastern side of fields are woodlands with decent shade along the
fences. So paddocks on that side would be OK. There's also a 2 acre island of
primarily sycamore, wild roses, scrub towards the upper end of the N field.
I'm thinking of setting up paddocks to allow access to this area where the
cattle like to loaf.

good

good
On the western side of the N field there is little shade during the heat of
the day except for the paddocks that will have access to the island.

On the S. field there is again some shade from the woodland and trees along
the fence line for all those paddocks, on the western side there is little
except for the paddock that contains a massive oak where the cattle like to
go.

they will kill lone trees eventually, mash the roots all to hell and rub off bark.

I'd like to rotate the cattle each day. Most down here who do rotational seem
to favor 3 days. I'm told more animal pressure, and shorter rotations work
best. But the shorter the rotation the larger the number of paddocks needed.

Most important is the rest period, 3 days is ok if they are them off for 20-30.


If I were to divide the N. pasture into 10 paddocks with 5 on each side of
the centerline of ca 3 acres a piece how much grass/clover must each paddock
produce to feed 70 growing animal units. I could do the same for the S.
pasture.

Inside the gate there are 35 acres or so that I could divide up into perhaps
8 paddocks. Shape of fields, barn, cattle facilities, bull pen, ponds, trees
make this area tougher to break into paddocks. Perhaps actually a good deal
less total grass available on these 35 acres due to above/shade, tree covered
hillsides, etc. In addition soils are not as deep, or as well drained. And
much harder clay during dry periods. Better footing for cattle but growth is
not as lush. It is much improved over where it was though. And I'm continuing
to expand fringes by cutting down wild roses, etc., cattle are also opening
up trails, and some of wooded areas so that grass, etc., is beginning to grow
in understory.

Fence them into areas you want knocked down after weaning. Put your light cattle on the best pasture and make your moms do some improving for you. Buy a Scottish highland bull, very unlikely to kill you and great hill country genetics.

Whew...sorry for being so long winded I'm trying to give you a lot of detail.
Really look forward to your reply, and to others on the list.

I'm trying to do the right thing:) Thanks again. Frank
_______________________________________________

Mark P. Ludwig
Poultry Research Lab
University of Wisconsin -Madison
608-262-1730 WK
608-846-7125 HM





Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page