"Improving Our Lot" - Planned Holistic Grazing, for starters..

[Henarar]

André Voisin in his classic 1959 ‘Grass Productivity’ says that pastures really don’t come into their own till about 40-50 years.

everything will be fine here then

That's why I don't stress about docks, they perform such a similar function.

do you notice that some fields like to have a few docks in certain area's ?

 

[DanM]

Extracting minerals from depth, providing condensed tannins in high levels to reduce bloating and increase intake in the stock, and leaving a big root channel in the topsoil.
And, they are quite easily managed, not as temperamental as a lot of the herbs you'd plant to do the same thing, certainly the seed is cheaper...

I’ve not sprayed any docks for last few years. The sheep and cattle eat them with relish, often seeking any out first within a new break. I’ve also noticed areas that previously had a high percentage of docks, are much reduced under cell grazing.

Seems polywire can replace the sprayer as well

 

[Treg]

I was this second looking on their website.

Then price a similar ley through @Great In Grass

 

[Treg]

Have you seen this Pete?

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=12142596

Thank you @holwellcourtfarm , I've a NFU meeting later & was going to bring up about the lack of response to the climate change news last week , that is exactly the type of thing the NFU should be quoting or providing government with the information.
Thanks for the ammo!

 

[DanM]

What’s with the middle finger @Treg

 

[DanM]

do you notice that some fields like to have a few docks in certain area's ?

Yep! Make a mess in a gateway, any waterlogged area. Heavy traffic areas. Basically anywhere the grass has had a hard time; up pops a dock! Forgiven for thinking, natures pointing out your mistakes

 

[Treg]

What’s with the middle finger @Treg

Oops thanks @DanM , my eyes mite need testing thought that was a thumbs up!
Sorry if I offended anyone.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Yep! Make a mess in a gateway, any waterlogged area. Heavy traffic areas. Basically anywhere the grass has had a hard time; up pops a dock! Forgiven for thinking, natures pointing out your mistakes

Nature is attempting to fix. That's all I see it as.
Likewise I'm seeing the same reduction in spreading thistles and docks, although I did salt the thistles with a weedwiper which would have pee'd them off a bit.

Plenty of fertility, bit of compaction and they spring up. Lack of diversity and they spring up.

 

[CornishTone]

Extracting minerals from depth, providing condensed tannins in high levels to reduce bloating and increase intake in the stock, and leaving a big root channel in the topsoil.
And, they are quite easily managed, not as temperamental as a lot of the herbs you'd plant to do the same thing, certainly the seed is cheaper...

Interesting how perceptions and accepted wisdom can be challenged. I was ALWAYS taught, both at uni and in all grassland training courses post graduation, the old chestnut that “a 10% dock infestation is equal to a 10% reduction in feed and thus productivity, be that milk or meat.”

In the background though, there was always the knowledge that they were high in minerals... but of course, minerals can be replaced with mineral licks, I was told, so get rid of the docks!

It shows the story is never as black and white as some would have is believe!

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Favourite place for the stock to sit, full of docks in here. I'd say it is because they get sat on more than eaten - same story with the grass and everything else!

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Oops thanks @DanM , my eyes mite need testing thought that was a thumbs up!
Sorry if I offended anyone.

No worries, I'm hard to offend for long

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Aldo Leopold

"A Sand County Almanac "

Written in 1948, but a classic of conservation / regenerative writing & still very relevant today
One of my favourite books & I recommend everyone read it.
It won't give any solutions or recipes or prescriptions, but it will make you think. Besides, it's an enjoyable read.
For me, it was possibly life changing . . .

View attachment 727848 View attachment 727850 View attachment 727852 View attachment 727854 View attachment 727856 View attachment 727860 View attachment 727862

How prescient! One to add to my reading list.

BTW, I'm now booked on one of @Sheila Cooke 's Holistic Management courses for next month.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Interesting how perceptions and accepted wisdom can be challenged. I was ALWAYS taught, both at uni and in all grassland training courses post graduation, the old chestnut that “a 10% dock infestation is equal to a 10% reduction in feed and this productivity, be that milk or meat.”

In the background though, there was always the knowledge that they were high in minerals... but of course, minerals can be replaced with mineral licks, I was told, so get rid of the docks!

It shows the story is never as black and white as some would have is believe!

They seem to have a product to address everything - it's simply good business.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Oops thanks @DanM , my eyes mite need testing thought that was a thumbs up!
Sorry if I offended anyone.

I thought I was beginning to rub off on you!

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Im looking to rejuvenate some grazing pastures. We run limousin cattle in the UK .The pastures are very old permanent pastures mainly grasses. I'm looking to direct drill into the existing thatch. I'm wondering should I go for just another grass mix or should I get more inventive. What plants work well with cattle and won't cause me any negative side effects like blote?

I'm overseeding with Hurrells HM36 at the moment at half rate. I'll report in spring how it goes:
HM.36 Herbal Diverse Seed Mix (Acre Pack)

• 2.00 kg LOFA Festulolium
  1.50 kg AMBA Cocksfoot
  1.75 kg COSMOLIT Meadow Fescue
  1.50 kg MAXIMA Strong Creeping Red Fescue
  1.50 kg ERECTA Timothy
  1.00 kg BROCKTON Tall Fescue
  1.00 kg LUZELLA Lucerne
  0.75 kg Red Clover Blend
  0.75 kg White Clover Blend
  0.45 kg Sainfoin
  0.50 kg Alsike Clover
  0.50 kg Birdsfoot Trefoil
  0.50 kg PUNA 11 Chicory
  0.50 kg Sheep's Burnet
  0.10 kg Sheep's Parsley
  0.15 kg TONIC Plantain
  0.05 kg Yarrow
  14.50 kg per acre
  
  
  Why Buy this product?
  
  • Ultra-diverse herbal seed mixture
  • Great grazing qualities
  • High in vitamins & minerals
  • Medicinal benefits for livestock
  • Improves the soil structure with very deep rooting species
  • Will grow on a wide range of soil types
  • Can be cut if required

 

[Treg]

I thought I was beginning to rub off on you!

Ah but this is the peace & harmony thread, I'm saving offenciveness for the putting up slated sheds & out door slats threads! (Bad image for us all )

 

[Henarar]

Thank you @holwellcourtfarm , I've a NFU meeting later & was going to bring up about the lack of response to the climate change news last week , that is exactly the type of thing the NFU should be quoting or providing government with the information.
Thanks for the ammo!

go for it, I missed an NFU meeting a few days ago and was going to bring up the same sort of thing, that and the so called enviro schemes being a load of crap

Yep! Make a mess in a gateway, any waterlogged area. Heavy traffic areas. Basically anywhere the grass has had a hard time; up pops a dock! Forgiven for thinking, natures pointing out your mistakes

the main one I am thinking of is about 2 acres nearly in the middle of a nine acre field, they have been there 40 years not a serous amount but enough to notice

 

[Kiwi Pete]

I'm overseeding with Hurrells HM36 at the moment at half rate. I'll report in spring how it goes:
HM.36 Herbal Diverse Seed Mix (Acre Pack)

• 2.00 kg LOFA Festulolium
  1.50 kg AMBA Cocksfoot
  1.75 kg COSMOLIT Meadow Fescue
  1.50 kg MAXIMA Strong Creeping Red Fescue
  1.50 kg ERECTA Timothy
  1.00 kg BROCKTON Tall Fescue
  1.00 kg LUZELLA Lucerne
  0.75 kg Red Clover Blend
  0.75 kg White Clover Blend
  0.45 kg Sainfoin
  0.50 kg Alsike Clover
  0.50 kg Birdsfoot Trefoil
  0.50 kg PUNA 11 Chicory
  0.50 kg Sheep's Burnet
  0.10 kg Sheep's Parsley
  0.15 kg TONIC Plantain
  0.05 kg Yarrow
  14.50 kg per acre
  
  
  Why Buy this product?
  • Ultra-diverse herbal seed mixture
  • Great grazing qualities
  • High in vitamins & minerals
  • Medicinal benefits for livestock
  • Improves the soil structure with very deep rooting species
  • Will grow on a wide range of soil types
  • Can be cut if required

Cracker
I imagine that will be perfect for your rainfall and conditions during summer.

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Have you seen this Pete?

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=12142596

No, I hadn't seen this little gem until you put it up, thanks
About time that they actually ate a bit of humble pie, yes there are worrying trends in ag here but some decent information has been either lacking (or withheld) for a very long time now. It's always about the cow farts, peat bogs etc emit an awful lot too.

 

[Henarar]

No, I hadn't seen this little gem until you put it up, thanks
About time that they actually ate a bit of humble pie, yes there are worrying trends in ag here but some decent information has been either lacking (or withheld) for a very long time now. It's always about the cow farts, peat bogs etc emit an awful lot too.

Blame the farmer
Easy target
And they have money
Simples