Do you ROTATIONALLY GRAZE your livestock? and if not, why?

[Hilly]

Absolutely. We used paddocks and strip grazed with a back fence 50 years ago. It wasn't new. We were very gullible to new methods and salesmen and became busy fools.

What did they sell you ?

 

[Ffermer Bach]

If I move stock daily how many days before I go back to the start ? I’m keen to try and my young son is as well.

if you have a rising plate meter (that gives the amount of feed in a field in kg of dry matter/ha), then use this software, it can help you to plan your grazing and grass covers

Grass Benefits - Agrinet

www.agrinet.ie

Pasture Meters – Supplying Pasture Plate Meters to UK and Europe

www.pasturemeters.co.uk

 

[Bury the Trash]

Absolutely. We used paddocks and strip grazed with a back fence 50 years ago. It wasn't new. We were very gullible to new methods and salesmen and became busy fools.

Eh?

They are all different tools in box and still used effectively

 

[Nick Adams]

What did they sell you ?

2 year leys, fertiliser, concentrates, sprays, additive, contractors bills, slurry and silage pits, specialist feeding and slurry spreading machinery, bigger tractors, debts, soil damage, poor health for my father - the whole rotten treadmill of a system.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Why wouldn't you rotationally graze?

 

[Kiwi Pete]

2 year leys, fertiliser, concentrates, sprays, additive, contractors bills, slurry and silage pits, specialist feeding and slurry spreading machinery, bigger tractors, debts, soil damage, poor health for my father - the whole rotten treadmill of a system.

Sounds great, what a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the economy

 

[Henarar]

Why wouldn't you rotationally graze?

If you have cows that get dizzy ?

 

[Dave6170]

If I were to split a field in 4 and put a trough in the center what would be a good trough? 1 of those huge plastic 1s?

 

[Ffermer Bach]

If I were to split a field in 4 and put a trough in the center what would be a good trough? 1 of those huge plastic 1s?

I would use these, and run black pipe behind the fence, then the connectors that you can push in as you move it

Kiwitech Drag Trough and Pipe — Progressive Farming Company

Kiwitech Drag Trough. 100L trough with float, valve, trough tee and 8m 25mm pipe

www.progressivefarming.co.uk

 

[Dave6170]

Does look a handy thing. The hydrant valve is neat. Can imagine 2 or 3 cows going for a drink and emptying it though then fighting over it?

 

[Agrispeed]

Does look a handy thing. The hydrant valve is neat. Can imagine 2 or 3 cows going for a drink and emptying it though then fighting over it?

I used to use one, or two in peak summer for 70 dairy cows without problems. They fill incredibly quickly and are very well made.

 

[Jimfandango]

Greg Judy reckons this is possible to do with sheep behind one strand of wire. I'm not convinced that you can keep hungry sheep behind electric fence in general. Mine laugh at ours which is 5kv (not perfect, I know, but not what I would call weak)

 

[Highland Mule]

Not legal on mains supply though. Are you on private water @Dave6170 ?

 

[Dave6170]

Not legal on mains supply though. Are you on private water @Dave6170 ?

No, but could I use a non return valve?

 

[Highland Mule]

No, but could I use a non return valve?

Haven’t worked with the water board for almost 30 years, so wouldn’t know what the bylaws say these days.

Did have an inspection last year though, and they were hot on water troughs.

 

[Fake it ‘til you make it]

Greg Judy reckons this is possible to do with sheep behind one strand of wire. I'm not convinced that you can keep hungry sheep behind electric fence in general. Mine laugh at ours which is 5kv (not perfect, I know, but not what I would call weak)

Ours used to (mostly) stay put behind 3 strands on 10kv, but even then I think key is that they never get too hungry.

 

[som farmer]

Greg Judy reckons this is possible to do with sheep behind one strand of wire. I'm not convinced that you can keep hungry sheep behind electric fence in general. Mine laugh at ours which is 5kv (not perfect, I know, but not what I would call weak)

1 strand is seriously impressive, and keeps his guardian dogs in as well, but fails to keep 'predators' out, or he wouldn't need the dogs, it must be training training training for the sheep, or simply he has their needs totally covered.

 

[Poorbuthappy]

1 strand is seriously impressive, and keeps his guardian dogs in as well, but fails to keep 'predators' out, or he wouldn't need the dogs, it must be training training training for the sheep, or simply he has their needs totally covered.

Pete would certainly tell us they shouldn't get hungry. Trouble is I'm not sure they even need to get hungry to go through 2 or 3 strands if they're that way inclined.
Give me cattle to keep behind electric every time.