permaculture

[Mark <mpludwig@facstaff.wisc.edu>]

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