Haven't even begun! A total newcommer

[13Liveoaks]

At 12:00 noon EST, the trough and mineral lick was discovered. Worried for two days but can now breathe easier.

 

[13Liveoaks]

I have a question for all you knowledgeable ranchers. I have my two new Angus Steer feeding very nicely in their pasture, but they can't keep up with the grass growth. I am thinking of getting a couple more but if I don't, does it matter if the grass starts getting really tall.
Not sure about the investment yet. Any advise?

 

[WildRoseBeef]

Are they in one big pasture or in one of several pastures? If the latter, then move them around more often and don't try to graze it down to a little bit left. If the former, then break up the pastures and move them around enough that they're only able to take one bite per plant before moving them again. If neither of those things work, then it might be worth while adding another steer to the herd.

 

[13Liveoaks]

Thanks for the reply Karin.
They are in one pasture about about 330ftx330 ft. The cost to seperate to two pastures would cost me more than getting two more steers. They move around and graze the entire area. My 86 year old mother has an apartment looking over the area and monitors their activity all day. I think it is fun for her. Anyway I was concerned if they have to forage through tall grass that's out of control it might effect their health, insects etc. maybe there's no concern. I actually thought about goats but these steers are just summer grazers and will only be here through grass growing season. Goats would be year round and need winter housing, food, etc.
If it gets too bad maybe I'll just mow a section.

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

Hi there! Congrats on your new herd!

Just maybe a suggestion. I know you said it would cost a lot to divide up the pasture. But I didn't know if you had thought of something so simple as one strand of hot wire across the middle? That doesn't cost much and it would allow you to do some rotational grazing. They graze one side and while doing so the other side grows, then you let the wire down, get them to the long side and let them graze there. And on, and on, etc.

You will find something that work for you I'm sure. Glad your mother is finding joy in watching them.

 

[13Liveoaks]

Thanks SHF
Yes I did think of the wire but I plumbed in an auto fill trough that's not easily moved. I will moniter growth of grass vs more head for now. My latest thought is if they can't keep up then I would use the wire to decrease their pasture and use the additional space for produce. Still mulling over options. They are eating like crazy but we have not had any rain in days. Somewhat keeping up for now. Maybe it's my imagination but for the eight days they have been here they seem much bigger.

 

[WildRoseBeef]

You don't need to go all out and build a new permanent pasture fence to separate up the current pasture. If that's what you were implying that's not what I was saying at all. All you need is a simple set-up, one strand of hot-wire with some pig-tail posts set apart every 10 feet or so, with the paddocks set up so that you don't have to be forced to move your waterer everytime you move your cattle. You don't have to wire up your pasture in straight strips from one end to the other, you can be creative and angle the wires so that the two animals still have access to water but can be moved from one grazing area to another in more of a triangular or some sort of odd shape-type strips.

Tall grass that has headed out decreases in nutrient quality. It becomes more fibre than protein. If pastures are kept in a vegetative stage while at the same time maintaining a resting period of around 30 days between moves (if that is possible for you), they will be quite nutritive, even more so when plants aren't watered down by constant rain. Too much rain can be a bad thing, it can make grass that looks nice and green be nothing more than vegetative water, or hay no better quality than straw. And a pasture that gets overgrazed in one area and undergrazed in another is not good either. If you want some extra reading, check out this page I made from regarding grazing: http://www.backyardherds.com/web/viewblog.php?id=236-grazing-methods

 

[13Liveoaks]

Well Karin if that's your article you definitely have grazing down to a science. After thinking about this what I will do is just decrease the pasture size with a wire for now if needed. Next year I will permanently put up a fence and use the new area for a cow. I am actually thinking small barn and the whole nine yards. I knew this would happen as I've got the fever. I would like to upload pics at some point. Anyway thanks all!!!

 

[WildRoseBeef]

Well Karin if that's your article you definitely have grazing down to a science.

I've studied grazing practices in university. It's not my article as in my writing, (see the italicized text above from where it came from), but from a book I have studied from and use as a basis for making decisions on grazing practices. And even then, that part I put in my page is just the tip of the iceberg. Grazing is an art and a science, it's not all about just throwing a couple of animals out to pasture and hoping for the best.

 

[13Liveoaks]

Karin....Didn't mean to give you credit that wasn't due. Read through too quickly without noticing reference. I think my questions show my concern for the cattles' well being and not just throwing them out to pasture, not that you implied that. I do appreciate your time and you have been most helpful!