Cattle/pasture plan- critique please

[610Alpha]

Yeah I agree. However it gives a good backup from any electrical powered pumping that is necessary to get them water any other way.

In the future hopefully I can drop a solar well in over there specifically for them.

Also, about 3 months of the year here, it gets to be about 6 million degrees on the cow thermometer, and they tend to find a shady spot in the afternoon and soak. Given that about 85% of the pasture has little tree cover, this is probably crucial for them.

If you could introduce some trees, silvopasture, and protect them from being trampled that would be a great investment for the future herds.

[Lowdown3]

Yeah I agree. However it gives a good backup from any electrical powered pumping that is necessary to get them water any other way.

In the future hopefully I can drop a solar well in over there specifically for them.

Also, about 3 months of the year here, it gets to be about 6 million degrees on the cow thermometer, and they tend to find a shady spot in the afternoon and soak. Given that about 85% of the pasture has little tree cover, this is probably crucial for them.

[610Alpha]

Sorry to hear about the eunuch.

With regards to the pond. You really want to keep them out of it. Don't take my word for it, Greg Judy in his book "No Risk Ranching Custom Grazing on Leased Land" talks about water, ponds & creeks, in chapter 9 "Developing Good Water". On page 90 there is a quote that says "You must keep the cattle out of the pond or you have wasted a valuable water resource". On the same page he talks about how they enter the pond will cause it to become shallower and eventually a mud pit. He says to run a single strand of hot wire around the pond, run 3/4" Polyethylene siphon pipe over the dam hooked to a $7 dollar water tank float.

He goes in to some detail on a couple of the pages with diagrams and parts lists.

You can find tons of videos of him with his cattle.

http://greenpasturesfarm.net/grass-g...ws-and-steers/ his site with some of his stock.

[Lowdown3]

2018 in Bovine Review... LOL

Figured out the "bull" we bought at the auction last year was not.... WTH? Yeah let me explain.

So when we got "Thor" home from the auction with a couple of others, he was a little bit of a guy but I SAW his little bag one of the first days he was out with the rest of the girls.

Fast forward a few months and nothing seems to be happening with him. The girlz are ready, showing that, lots of riding each other, etc. "Thor" aka "Bore" is there just kind of like "huh?" By now it was deep winter. I am looking them all over at the feeding trough one day and little man's sack seems to be missing. Like nothing, like smooth as a Ken doll... I quickly figure it out. I bet this dude was BANDED before someone brought him to auction, then sometime later, the bag shriveled fell off, like is supposed to happen with those rings. A neighbor that was "helping" us (unasked and mostly unwanted) who has some experience with cows from a hundred years ago tells me- "Look here, it's winter and it's cold as hell out here. What happens to yours when you jump in a cold pool?" I reply, but you can still SEE them.

I'm told give it a little while, it's cold, blah blah blah. Also by now it's not when we usually buy so I'm stuck.

Sure enough, spring comes in all it's warmth and glory but "Bore" (formerly known as "Thor") bag is still absent. I give my normal "you should have all listened to the big dog" speech and we go cow shopping again a while later.

So it was mid summer with surgeries, sicknesses and general funtime this year before we got an actual bull. My son bought a heifer also, so the herd grew a little bit more also.

Noticed the other day that my son's heifer is knocked up, and given the timing of where it LOOKS LIKE she is at with gestation, I'm guessing she got prego before coming to the auction. So he gets two cows for the price of one LOL. And the new bull seems to be handling business, so hopefully next summer we will be handling some more calves and starting to recoup some cash.

My favorite heifer (cow that has not yet had a calf) "Brownie" did indeed develop a huge rack. Horns on her head I mean, get your mind out of the gutter :) She's still very gentle thankfully. But whenever she kicks the bucket, I'm definitely keeping these horns, they are impressive.

Pasture rotation has worked out overall o.k. Often times they move themselves and one of the projects this summer was finishing some pasture division. Problem is that a pond is in the dead center so that all sections have access to water. However they evidently SWIM and can essentially move themselves to another pasture as they see fit. Course once water gets colder those shenanigans end till spring.

[610Alpha]

Good video.

Doing similar here just without daily movements, four divisions currently. Just figuring out stocking rates. Been a wet year and we have a low stocking rate now. One smaller field has not even been used yet. We are going to try some rye/rye grass and wheat mix for a winter forage in there a bit also.

I liked what he had to say about a heavier cow being on wet ground vs a lighter cow.

[rockriver]

ld, that was some pretty pix of your place, up there... the place looks real good.

[Lowdown3]

Good video.

Doing similar here just without daily movements, four divisions currently. Just figuring out stocking rates. Been a wet year and we have a low stocking rate now. One smaller field has not even been used yet. We are going to try some rye/rye grass and wheat mix for a winter forage in there a bit also.

[610Alpha]

Here is a video of Greg Judy this summer talking about how he operates.

[610Alpha]

These cows have been a constant source of both learning and entertainment for us since we started with them. They are extremely intelligent animals and respond well to training. My girl Brownie, aka "Brown Town" is one of the three that eats "cattle cube" treats right out of my hands. I pretty much hugged her tonight. She is the only one I've noticed that was not previously de horned or polled. Thank God the girl is our tamest heifer, she got some little nubs there that one day might be a problem.

As in real life, the ones that seem to have the most issues are the smaller cows with the "little man" (little heifer) issue. The two little ones- "Cookie" and "Oreo" were having a head butting and pushing contest tonight while I was mowing. Meanwhile the bigger cows were like "yeah whatever, let the kids play..." LOL.

They are very likable animals, we are learning a lot about them.

Splitting up one field into three divisions for pasture rotation. Posts in, some dirt moving to be done, but 80% done on that. I've seen them selectively eating here and there, so I understand the need for the rotational grazing via the smaller "slices" to use up an area and then move them on.

I believe I severely UNDER estimated the carrying capacity of the pasture. New ventures are like that, you LEARN a helluva lot early on. Making money off of them is still years out, it's all about learning now. Heck, surplus MEAT is about 2 year out now as well. But when it comes, I'll know it's clean, doesn't have the "ninja" and I'll know it's tender from being raised as stress free as possible.

Meanwhile my fields are getting fertilized and mowed and I'm learning some new animal husbandry skills. That's a win/win for me.

It sounds like you are learning to be a soil farmer ;)

Greg Judy is using a breed that started in Alabama. South Poll - The Southern Mama Cow Breed. South Poll Grass Cattle Association. www.southpoll.com

Did you check out Greg Judy's or Joel Salatin's books?

[Lowdown3]

These cows have been a constant source of both learning and entertainment for us since we started with them. They are extremely intelligent animals and respond well to training. My girl Brownie, aka "Brown Town" is one of the three that eats "cattle cube" treats right out of my hands. I pretty much hugged her tonight. She is the only one I've noticed that was not previously de horned or polled. Thank God the girl is our tamest heifer, she got some little nubs there that one day might be a problem.

As in real life, the ones that seem to have the most issues are the smaller cows with the "little man" (little heifer) issue. The two little ones- "Cookie" and "Oreo" were having a head butting and pushing contest tonight while I was mowing. Meanwhile the bigger cows were like "yeah whatever, let the kids play..." LOL.

They are very likable animals, we are learning a lot about them.

Splitting up one field into three divisions for pasture rotation. Posts in, some dirt moving to be done, but 80% done on that. I've seen them selectively eating here and there, so I understand the need for the rotational grazing via the smaller "slices" to use up an area and then move them on.

I believe I severely UNDER estimated the carrying capacity of the pasture. New ventures are like that, you LEARN a helluva lot early on. Making money off of them is still years out, it's all about learning now. Heck, surplus MEAT is about 2 year out now as well. But when it comes, I'll know it's clean, doesn't have the "ninja" and I'll know it's tender from being raised as stress free as possible.

Meanwhile my fields are getting fertilized and mowed and I'm learning some new animal husbandry skills. That's a win/win for me.

[Lowdown3]

Highest I've ever seen cows in water is where it is just over their backs. I would assume they cannot go any further or swim due to their size, however I've been wrong before LOL.

The ground under foot (hoof) there is also mushy, which is another reason I never figured they would venture far out there in the first place. Our biggest heifer probably goes up to my chest, so the last panel in the water access point being up to my nose is probably good? Or not?

Just know I shouldn't have taught them how to build poncho rafts... LOL

[Lowdown3]

Water access points-

"Scuba Steve" and half the crew this morning were on the other side of the fence. After getting them back in we investigated the problem.

A water access point had cattle panels attached to T posts put WAAAY out in the water a few months ago. Water level dropped and we added another panel not that long ago. Well "Scuba Steve" and two other heifers evidently managed to get around the panels and came up on the shore the other side of the fence. We added another cattle panel out another 15 feet to where the water was up to my nose 5 feet in from the end of the panel. We will have to check it again later in the summer.

Cattle panels and T posts- always nice to have a few extras laying around for fence breaks and quick repairs.

[Lowdown3]

I will say this, I've realized they are very intelligent animals. They can sense little changes in people and their environment. As a "prey" animal this is a good trait.

Gnat season started here recently. I usually tie a t shirt over my head covering my ears during this to keep the gnats from flying inside my ears. If you've never experienced gnats this sounds nutty but they will fly up your nose, in your mouth, ears, etc. I went out to the girls one afternoon with the t shirt tied on my head. They all starred and their body language said flight was coming. I'm talking to them calmly, it's having little effect. I took the shirt off and they acted like "oh yeah, I know that guy" and calmed down.

My biggest criteria for future purchases will continue to be finding calm animals. I tried several local sources to buy cattle from, including one guy not a mile from the location. After telling me "yeah we sell calves" and my replying that "can I get your number and come by in a few weeks and buy some from you", I was later told by the same guy a month later "oh we sell them over at the auction." I overcame every objection with the guy, including saying "just name your price" with the guy as well as "well, you will have to pay a % selling at the auction and then get a check right? Name your price and I'll give you cash right here." So the dumbA got less money AFTER hauling his cattle and making a 100 mile round trip.

Reason I tell that story is that people always think you can make side deals with these farmers, ranchers, etc. Evidently this one was too stupid to figure out a better deal. His wife was there, she got it and kept giving him 'the nod'. All I lost was time in the deal, having to wait a bit longer than to buy but some serious frustration with dealing with a dumbA.

[Lowdown3]

So far so good on this. Some pics-

Getting them used to coming back to a central area every day where another water source is, where mineral block and protein tubs are. They have responded well to leading them by walking ahead of them and doing the "come cow" call.

We have been feeding a little grains in bunker feeders to get them coming and assist in working with them. We are already starting to wean them off of it. They do love the little "range cubes" aka cattle cubes". They have finally began touching us from working slowly and quietly with them and the cattle cubes.

Here is some rice and pinto beans in a bunker feeder-



Yes, they will eat storage rice, corn, pinto beans, wheat. They have helped me rotate the last of our pre-98 grains. Very small amounts daily.

The cows are working fine around pecan trees and other trees. May have a few losses from some smaller, weaker trees but that's acceptable. They also have pruned some lower limbs here and there which I'm o.k. with. Lots of manure right where the trees can use it as well.




Even a pad of outside hay can be used as a treat at times.

[Lowdown3]

And why do some calves seem to go for $115-135. per CWT in the 200-400 lb. range and then some 600-800 cows seem to go for $80-90. per CWT?