Managing Toxic Pasture Plants
Almost every pasture contains some poisonous plants, or is bordered by trees or shrubs that are toxic.
Managing Toxic Pasture Plants Read More »
Farm ManagementInformation on farming and ranching using Irish Dexter cattle
Almost every pasture contains some poisonous plants, or is bordered by trees or shrubs that are toxic.
Managing Toxic Pasture Plants Read More »
Farm Management
Minerals are very important!
We’ve shared several articles on the importance of minerals for your Dexters.
We are discussing it again, as it’s a very important topic for the health of your herd. We cannot express loudly enough how important minerals are for your Dexters. Loose minerals are better than blocks, as they can consume much more in loose form, than they can by licking a block. Minerals are made by several different manufacturers. As with anything, you get what you pay for. We esp. like the VitaFerm brand. Many companies offer minerals that target different seasons or issues, i.e. supporting the reproductive system during breeding, heat stress in the summer, selenium, high mag, and others. Consult with your vet, mentor or a feed rep, to determine what could be lacking in your area and thus what you need to support in your herd.
Some people have their hay tested, so that they can determine what they need to make up for in the minerals they supply for their cows.
Next, let’s talk about Kelp. We started using Kelp this year, for the first time. Thorvin Kelp, is an organic, natural supplement that is packed full of bioavailable minerals and vitamins. It can also be fed to other animals on your farm. The benefits of feeding Kelp to your herd are many. Some of those are improving breed back time, helping with weight gain, preventing foot rot & pink eye. It basically boosts the animal’s immune system. In turn, this helps lower your vet bills and helps keep your livestock healthier. Kelp can be fed free choice, alongside your loose mineral or it can be blended into a feed ration. Talk with your vet or feed rep, with any questions you may have for feeding Kelp to your herd.
Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV, is another tool that many use to help build up their animals’ immune systems. We prefer the raw ACV, with “the mother” in it. Some say it helps improve cattle health and feed utilization. Others say it also helps prevent and eliminate parasites and resist disease. It’s also been said to reduce horn flies, by making their skin more acidic. It’s going to depend on the size of your water troughs, on how much to add. One recommendation I found, is to mix in 1-2 cups of ACV, per 20 gallons of water or ¼-1/2 cups per 5 gallons of water. Sick or stressed animals can get more, double or triple the amount of ACV, however I would check with my vet, before increasing it too much.
Worming: There are several different types of wormers available, that target different types of worms and parasites. They come in pour ons, oral, injection and block or pellet forms. If you have pregnant or lactating cows, make sure the one you chose is safe to use on them. Ask your vet or a mentor. Some breeders have a yearly worming schedule.If you have a poorly looking animal that is thin & has a dull looking coat, or it might have diarrhea or blood in their feces, the first thing you may want to do is to gather a fecal sample into a clean container and take it to your vet for testing. This isn’t costly and it will tell them/you the correct treatment to use. The problem can range from the animal needing worming, to possibly having coccidia or another disease that needs treated.
A lot of our Country is experiencing high temperatures right now. Usually, any added stress to cattle, can lower their immunity to some things. Higher temperatures can be stressful on animals. If possible, consider moving or working your cattle, during cooler days. Weaning in the hot summer months can be especially stressful for calves. Consider waiting to wean, until cooler months. Make sure they have ample shade to get to, and keep fresh, clean water available, throughout the day.
Veterinarian: YES! You need to establish a veterinary relationship early in your Dexter journey. They are your first go to in an Emergency and for advice. They need to visit your herd and get to know them. This will benefit you & your herd, in the future. Oftentimes, once they get to know you and the herd, you can obtain advice via a phone call and pick up meds, etc. at their office. Like it or not, there will be an occasion where you need an emergent visit. Your investment in your cattle, is worth calling a vet out in an emergency. Lots of breeders, can give advice from experience, but nothing replaces the professional assessment and treatment of a veterinarian who is familiar with your herd.
We hope the ideas above, give you something to ponder, research and consider doing to benefit the health of your herd.
Getting And Keeping Your Dexters In Optimal Condition. Read More »
Herd Health
Beef producers can realize major price premiums for grass-fed, pasture-raised, or local meat.
5 Tips For Finishing Cattle on Grass Read More »
BeefGood afternoon, I’m sitting down to write up an article for the Irish Dexter Cattleman website. I’m going to write this one up myself but I will include a few articles that you can go check out for yourself. I don’t feel that I have any experience with this production yet as I’m just starting it myself.
I have been reading and watching so many different farms that have been using this as their practice and it is amazing what happens. I’m talking about regenerative grazing.
There is a place in Greenfield, IN called Tyner Pond Farm. I was reading one of their articles this past spring and they had just pulled their cows off in March of this year. They had wintered all winter on their pastures!! They finally were feeding hay bales in March. Their location is in Indiana which is about 2+ hours from me, but it is about directly across from me. So, the temperatures are close to being the same. When I saw pictures, they had green grass still in March of 2024. I find that amazing!! That is something that I want to strive for.
Another place to find information about this practice is Greg Judy at Green Pastures Farm. There are several videos that you can find on YouTube about how he does this practice.
There is also Joel Salatin, Polyface Farm, who practices these methods.
I’m still getting my perimeter fences all put in, hopefully they will all be put in by next spring. Once you have your perimeter fences put in, you will separate those into small paddocks. You will move your cattle every day through those paddocks. As you watch Greg Judy, he has water lines run out to each paddock. And most other people do, too. That will be a down the road option for me.
This practice is a lot of work, but I believe that it will be well worth my time!! Moving the cattle helps keep the microbes in the ground going. It also helps to keep you from overgrazing your pastures, which is what I’m doing now. Over grazing lets so many weeds in that it isn’t funny!! This regenerative grazing also cuts down on the weeds.
Another reason that I just learned this week is when you get your pastures going, you make sure your grass cocktail is good. If you have a good cocktail of grasses that will keep the fly problem down!!! Greg Judy has a Youtube video out that shows his cattle out on pasture with hardly, if any, flies on the cows. It was amazing to watch!!! The cows were sleek and shining with hardly any flies. He talks about it with the guy who oversees it. It is amazing!!!
I hope to come and write another article in about 3 years or so and tell you how it is going. I know that it will be hard work, but it will be so beneficial in the end!!
Check out these farms to learn more information. I believe this is so important for our pastures. We need to preserve them as much as we can.
Shelley Hatfield
An article for the Irish Dexter Cattleman website Read More »
Beef Farm ManagementStockmanship expert Curt Pate shares some more keys about the best way to safely handle bulls.
Low Stress Cattle Handling Read More »
Farm ManagementSummer annuals are fast-growing, high-quality forages that can be used to supplement tall fescue systems.
Summer Annual Forages Read More »
Farm ManagementSilvopasture is an agroforestry practice that intentionally integrates trees, and pasture and forage crops.
Grazing Silvopasture Read More »
Farm ManagementThis program includes three calculators that allow the user to makes estimates for pasture rotations, setting stock density for mob grazing, and estimating field strip sizes for strip grazing stockpiled forage
Forage Calculators Read More »
TechnologyThis something that was a little bit of a stumbling block for me.
Rotationally Grazing a Cow/Calf Herd Read More »
Farm ManagementTimeless Fence Post is king!
The Best Electric Fence Post Read More »
Farm ManagementA good fence charger is the backbone of your grazing operation.
Favorite Electric Fence Chargers Read More »
Farm ManagementThis video talks about how intensive rotational grazing works
Intensive Rotational Grazing Read More »
Farm ManagementDexter cattle don’t need much from their owners in the winter. Here is the few things they do.
Dexter Cattle Winter Needs Read More »
Farm ManagementHeat stress has a major impact on female reproduction. Science and experience have taught us that cattle do not respond well reproductively to heat. Stress from increases in body temperatures have been demonstrated to impact all major reproductive hormones that drive the conception bus in our herd.https://www.agproud.com/articles/55165-heat-stress-and-its-impact-on-bull-fertility
Heat stress and its impact on bull fertility Read More »
Farm Management
Shade is a must for pasture-based grazing systems. It curtails heat stress,
https://publications.ca.uky.edu/sites/publications.ca.uky.edu/files/aen99.pdf
shade options for cattle Read More »
Farm Management
Summer annuals are fast-growing, high-quality forages that can be used to supplement tall fescue systems
https://hayandforage.com/article-3881-summer-annual-forages-can-cure-many-ills.html
Summer Annual Forages Read More »
Farm Management