Skip to content

grazing

Information on farming and ranching using Irish Dexter cattle

Try Pl@ntNet now!

Pl@ntNet is a tool to help to identify plants with pictures. It is organized in different thematic and geographical floras. Choose the one that corresponds to your region or area of interest from the list below. If you don’t know what to choose, select “World flora” which has the widest coverage but will give less accurate results than a more focused flora.

Pl@ntNet is a citizen science platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate the identification and inventory of plant species. It is one of the world’s largest biodiversity observatories, with several million contributors in over 200 countries.

The Pl@ntNet application, available in web and smartphone versions (AndroidiOS), lets you identify tens of thousands of plant species simply by taking a photo of them.

Try Pl@ntNet now! Read More »

Technology

Willow for Grazing

Are cows that eat willow better for the planet? A Queens University research project aims to find out if Willow can make farming more carbon neutral.

One aspect of Agroforestry uses trees as forage for livestock, and is gaining in popularity. Willow contain anti-parasitic compounds, they can be a great buffer around water sources, and have other great benefit to livestock and pasture. Do you graze Willow trees, or would you give it a try?

https://theorkneynews.scot/2021/10/12/willow-as-a-feed-for-livestock-pioneering-research/

Willow for Grazing Read More »

Farm Management

When can my cows start grazing?

The question that starts rolling around in all our brains the moment the weather turns and we see the fresh green forage poking through the soil is, when can I start grazing my cattle? This is an important question and one that requires some observation. Turning the cows out too soon could have significant impact on the length and quality of forage growth during the entire grazing season. The hay is usually dwindling at this point and everyone is eager to start grazing. But, please pause and read this short article for advice and have a great grazing season!

https://cropsandsoils.extension.wisc.edu/articles/when-can-i-start-grazing/#:~:text=So%2C%20when%20can%20you%20start,20%20days%20of%20forage%20available.

When can my cows start grazing? Read More »

Farm Management

Farmer-led research

When you are considering trying something new it is always helpful to have the wisdom of others who have tried and failed or succeeded. We’ve done a little winter bale grazing with our Dexter herd, and the effects on the pasture are dramatic and obvious (a swath of lush green and clover through a mostly browning pasture). Here is a great farmer led study on the benefits of bale grazing that I have found compelling. Have you or would you try bale grazing?

https://practicalfarmers.org/research/bale-grazing-effects-on-soil-and-pasture-plant-communities/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR12RUqGZHHVrzgIknlKpftHaJXMNRuzAbjeQdmtnQ7LYIbs4_DRrmEA8dY_aem_nwVxF1iDSxHNk7PRtA41fA

Farmer-led research Read More »

Farm Management

Small-scale beef production

Below is a great article for those getting in to beef production on a small scale. Thinking through resources, knowledge, budget, production, marketing, as well as talent and interest level. There is a great quote from the last point: “You are much more likely to be successful if you are interested in and passionate about what you are doing.”

https://www.extension.iastate.edu/smallfarms/top-ten-considerations-small-scale-beef-production

Small-scale beef production Read More »

Beef

Keeping Cows in the Winter Part #4

By Shelley Hatfield/Whippoorwill Pines Farm

Photo courtesy of Royal Fare Farm

Part #4 of this series is MUD, ugh!!!  I’m thinking that most of us have dealt with mud at one point or another.  Some of us deal with mud more than others.  Right now we are dealing with a lot of mud around my place. You have to really watch foot rot and thrush when you are dealing with mud.  Also you have to make sure they aren’t standing in mud because that makes it hard for them to stay warm.  Even if it is only their legs that are caked in mud.  If you don’t have much room for them to move around, you might want to add gravel and/or wood chips to help with the mud.  Another way to help them stay off mud is to do rotational grazing in the winter.  This lessens the chances that your pastures will turn to mud.  The cows will be moving all the time and won’t be staying in one area.  I hope these little articles are helping you all!!  Happy Winter!!

Keeping Cows in the Winter Part #4 Read More »

Beef
Enable Notifications OK No thanks