12hr vs 24hr+ paddocks

[Devon lad]

another one for the grazers out there.
We've pretty much always been 12hr paddocks here, not really sure why, but I think it does keep the cows a big more content with fresh grass after every milking.
But I've been wondering about trying paddocks up to 48hrs, to cut down on decisions which need to be made, labour and cows getting fully fed more often. My only concerns are:-
Consecutive grazing on steep/far fields hard on feet and cows.
Cows camping in flat areas/gateways and coming in mucky.
Use of batt latch.
Not hitting residules, especially far end of fields.
Parlour flow.

Anyone else moved up from 12hr grazings?

 

[Will Blackburn]

Thinking of moving to 24hr paddocks, what size for 200 cows? On fields/pddocks between 6 and 14 acres ATM.

 

[More to life]

I run 24h and switched to it to reduce labour it works for me. I will also use 48 hrs on some odd shaped fields on the first round if it's dry generally I don't like it . If I did it myself and had the time, I'd go back to 12h splits it's always a comprise.

 

[More to life]

I saw some Irish setups 2-3 years ago that worked on time moving cows between paddocks at any time (within reason) once the residual was achieved. Some of these fields would last 4 days with no wires to move. I thought it was a great idea but can't make it work here

 

[multi power]

I used to graze 150 cows in fields of say 6 to 15 acres, never split anything. Had no electric fence equipment on the farm. I got just as good residuals as I get with 12 hour breaks. Cows were happier too. In fact half the time I never even shut them in the field. Only downside is loosing out on re growth if more than 48 hours in one field

 

[Rossymons]

We graze each paddock for 24hrs in 2 12hr breaks. Speedy reel and about a dozen fence posts makes it pretty simple. Any odd shaped ones I leave a few extra posts in the gateway to that field. A decent mains fencer, plenty of switches so i'm never too far away from being able to turn it on and off.

I always set my paddocks up 24hr in advance and they get a new paddock in the evening. All i have to do in the morning is reel it in ready for their day feed. 5 mins and thats 200 cows fed. What could be simpler than that?

 

[Rossymons]

Thinking of moving to 24hr paddocks, what size for 200 cows? On fields/pddocks between 6 and 14 acres ATM.

We have 1ha paddocks for our 200. Works well for us.

 

[Grazer]

I put them in paddocks that do them for 3 to 6 grazings. Think it means they'very got that tough graze when they have to pull it down to hit a good residual less often. Also means bigger paddocks for fert, bales etc.

 

[trexcf]

We are at 12 hr breaks here but like the idea, gives heifers and low bcs cows less competition in the first feed

 

[Irish NZ]

@Forage Trader will be along in a min to tell you set stocking is the answer.....

 

[More to life]

@Forage Trader will be along in a min to tell you set stocking is the answer.....

That's what we all do just abit at a time

 

[Manney]

We have 1ha paddocks for our 200. Works well for us.

1 ha for 24 hrs or 12 hrs. 1 ha will only give 200 cows 6 kgdm/cow.

 

[Clay52]

I think along the lines of, like us cows like fresh feed infront of them each meal. Grass that has been walked and crapped all over for the last 12+ hours isn't that appearing. You end up with a lot more grass wastage.

 

[Rossymons]

Depends on many factors. We're a split block calving herd so its rarewe'll have all 200 herd milking at once and when we do we'll have a big number either forage in the trough or parlour cake which will reduce their DMI in the paddock.

Plus it depends on the DM available in the paddock. We'll graze at 3000 covers if we have have to and we aren't afraid of letting it bulk up a bit and pre-mowing at covers of 3500.

But we go off-topic...

 

[Manney]

I was only intrigued because my fatties munch through 15 kgdm of grass in 24 hrs with no problem. Wish they would eat less but they do convert it well into milk.

 

[Sid]

I'm going to put a herd onto 8 hr blocks with a robot

 

[Cows 'n grass]

We've always been on 12hr paddocks as well but I've been thinking of moving to 24hr paddocks as well. Our discussion group have been employing Noel Gowan from Grasstec for some consultancy and he's very keen we should all be on 24 or 36hr paddocks all the time ground conditions are good.

The main thing holding me back is we still have a certain amount of crappy old pp and I definitely don't want them on that for 24h. We also have some quite long walks where I don't really want to be getting them in from in the morning.

 

[Sid]

We've always been on 12hr paddocks as well but I've been thinking of moving to 24hr paddocks as well. Our discussion group have been employing Noel Gowan from Grasstec for some consultancy and he's very keen we should all be on 24 or 36hr paddocks all the time ground conditions are good.

The main thing holding me back is we still have a certain amount of crappy old pp and I definitely don't want them on that for 24h. We also have some quite long walks where I don't really want to be getting them in from in the morning.

Flexibility is the key to any system.
No reason you can't have mainly 24hr paddocks and a few 12 hr ones. Nothing is right or wrong what works for you and the cows is right!

 

[More to life]

Flexibility is the key to any system.
No reason you can't have mainly 24hr paddocks and a few 12 hr ones. Nothing is right or wrong what works for you and the cows is right!

cows don't like that,tho an odd 12h break is ok but if they think it's the norm they go mental at least mine do .

 

[Clay52]

We've always been on 12hr paddocks as well but I've been thinking of moving to 24hr paddocks as well. Our discussion group have been employing Noel Gowan from Grasstec for some consultancy and he's very keen we should all be on 24 or 36hr paddocks all the time ground conditions are good.

The main thing holding me back is we still have a certain amount of crappy old pp and I definitely don't want them on that for 24h. We also have some quite long walks where I don't really want to be getting them in from in the morning.

What does he say are the benefits