dontknowanything
Member
- Location
- Cambridge
Unless it's changed in the last couple of years then it's quite easily possible
mob stocking
- Thread starter martian
- Start date
Unless it's changed in the last couple of years then it's quite easily possible
just viewed a report that a person imported embryos to the US from Zimbabwe. Was surprised that this would be possible from such a run down country. Now they have herds which are well adapted to full grass & hot climate, perfect for Florida.
thing in our region we need different traits, as we are much nearer to Putin than to a mild climate. quite cold already.
York-Th.
thing in our region we need different traits, as we are much nearer to Putin than to a mild climate. quite cold already.
York-Th.
Pedders
Member
- Location
- West Sussex
quite possibly from larger set-ups as they have gone through all the testing required to get an EU import licence but it appears it's not possible from the ranch I want to use .....
dontknowanything
Member
- Location
- Cambridge
Embryos are quite clever in that a lot of diseases don't make it in there, unlike semen
dontknowanything
Member
- Location
- Cambridge
Yes, needs to have the right paperwork in place
was watching importing live birds to Rep. of Ireland in the early 80's. It was not easy at all. With persistence it will be possible.
Look always think that way on bureaucrats that they have one working ethic which is similar to the rule in Mikado:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikado_(game)
"who moves 1st loses".
The tricky bit is to find the person which hasn't inhaled this. They are there and it's fun to work with them.
Maybe Brexit will open some options for you on the Island. I only know that a lot of embryos are imported from the states for the cow industry.
York-Th.
Look always think that way on bureaucrats that they have one working ethic which is similar to the rule in Mikado:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikado_(game)
"who moves 1st loses".
The tricky bit is to find the person which hasn't inhaled this. They are there and it's fun to work with them.
Maybe Brexit will open some options for you on the Island. I only know that a lot of embryos are imported from the states for the cow industry.
York-Th.
edwhite
Member
Advice needed
First time mob grazing
We currently run 100 head of cattle on our farm. Total 140 acres. 80 acres are currently on arable rotation and we also have 10 acres of herbal ley. We are based in south Somerset.
I'd like us to go over to mob grazing, taking out our arable and going back to grass/ herbal leys. We are looking to build up soil health and fertility.
My questions are
How do we go about working out stocking density?
We are aiming to overwinter outside, how should the ground hold up.
Is there anyone in the south west who we could go and see? Or further afield. Really want to get it right first time ( well not failing).......
First time mob grazing
We currently run 100 head of cattle on our farm. Total 140 acres. 80 acres are currently on arable rotation and we also have 10 acres of herbal ley. We are based in south Somerset.
I'd like us to go over to mob grazing, taking out our arable and going back to grass/ herbal leys. We are looking to build up soil health and fertility.
My questions are
How do we go about working out stocking density?
We are aiming to overwinter outside, how should the ground hold up.
Is there anyone in the south west who we could go and see? Or further afield. Really want to get it right first time ( well not failing).......
Hi Ed,
Have a damn good read of this thread....I'm sure some or all or your questions will be answered. Haven't read it all myself, but even if it doesn't cover all of your questions, I'm sure there'll be plenty of others that'll crop up. Good luck!
It was very enlightening to visit @martian 's farm at Groundswell this year, and would highly recommend visiting next year - if he has any animals left after his recent 2mm deluge.
Tim
- Location
- Hertfordshire
Starting point for stocking density is knowing, or estimating, a couple of things: how much grass cover you have, in kg DM/ha and what the average weight of you animals is. Based on the lactation stage of the animal you assume they will eat between 1.5% (dry cow) and 3% (milking cow) of their liveweight in dry matter each day.
So, a 500kg cow in milk would eat roughly 15kg dry matter each day. 100 cows of similar weight would eat 1500kg DM per day. If your field has 3,500kg DM and you want to take it down to 2,000kg DM there is one day's grazing on 1 hectare for 100 cows. (100 dry cows eating 1.5% of body weight would only need half a hectare).
Don't forget to allow for the calves - a 100kg calf won't eat much - say 3kg per day but a 300kg animal will eat much more, obviously!
This is the starting point for assessing density, though you soon get your eye in when you're moving them each day.
What soil type are you on? I'd be nervous overwintering on a clay soil. On a free draining soil it's a different matter though. Give them more space in wet weather, and maybe move them more frequently. The amazing thing is how bad a field can look but if it's only surface poaching, a shower of rain returns it to normal. Heavy or prolonged poaching is a different matter, however....
Good luck
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What stocking rate do I need for mob grazing please? I have a few experimental plots growing, with seed provided by @Great In Grass
The plots of 2-5ha will be fenced on the outside but I won't have enough cattle to do each plot properly, so I will need to subdivide them. Each plot will have varying numbers of cattle in the "conventionally grazed" meadows next door that I can put through when the plots are ready.
The plots of 2-5ha will be fenced on the outside but I won't have enough cattle to do each plot properly, so I will need to subdivide them. Each plot will have varying numbers of cattle in the "conventionally grazed" meadows next door that I can put through when the plots are ready.
Pedders
Member
- Location
- West Sussex
how many cattle will you have and how are you planning to sub divide the plots ?
I don't have exact headage numbers. The grazier will just chuck whatever he has in the fields next door through when we need the plots grazed so I need to match the individual plot sizes to the number of head that will do it.
If I have a 5 acre plot and 20 heifers 12-24 months old, how many plots do I need to subdivide it by?
If I have a 5 acre plot and 20 heifers 12-24 months old, how many plots do I need to subdivide it by?
Pedders
Member
- Location
- West Sussex
you wont know till you do it it will vary according to time of year and grass growth ..it isn't really going to be possible to mob graze as that requires long rest periods between grazes and with just 20 you'll not really get the grazing pressure unless you divide each plot up into very very small sections and then are able to back fence too to keep them off previously grazed areas which would be a lot of work for just 20 cows
I'd be inclinded to just set stock and rotate them round the plots ..save the mob grazing for when you have a couple of hundred head of your own !
That's not very helpful but I see your point. The estate owner wants to see mob grazing next summer not buying our own cattle & set stocking on these plots so that is what he will get.
I'll cut them down to 1 acre each & see how we get on. This is supplementary grazing, so a bonus to the grazier. That means I can be as long as I need to for regrowth afterwards. I don't have the time to mess about with moving fences every day so I intend to set up electric fencing inside the plots & leave it there. This is far from ideal but that's what I have to work with.
I'll cut them down to 1 acre each & see how we get on. This is supplementary grazing, so a bonus to the grazier. That means I can be as long as I need to for regrowth afterwards. I don't have the time to mess about with moving fences every day so I intend to set up electric fencing inside the plots & leave it there. This is far from ideal but that's what I have to work with.
Louis Mc
Member
- Location
- Meath, Ireland
Someone needs to look at the cattle twice a day surely??? So just have 2 wires, a front and back one abs just move them Both a little bit every day
Pedders
Member
- Location
- West Sussex
then you won't be doing mob stocking ..... you'll be doing something else entirely
mob grazing is allowing grass to grow tall and rangy then hitting hard with heavy grazing pressure in a very short space of time so that the cattle are forced to eat everything then moving on to the next section back fencing as you go to allow regrowth , this regrowth over time should come to include more and more grasses and other species and gradually you will improve your swards ...you move at least once a day if not twice and vary the size of paddock according to the grass growth which needs to be done by eye
what you propose doing is perfectly feasible but it won't be mob grazing
marco
Member
- Location
- tipperary, ireland
Brisel, not being smart but to get a feel for the system start with an acre paddock, when you come back the next day if its grazed move them if not leave them. Then if its not grazed make the next paddock smaller. At the end of the week you'll have a reasonable idea of where you want to be.
Pedders
Member
- Location
- West Sussex
I've read the thread from the beginning and I've also studied what the US guys do and what you are proposing doing will not be mob grazing ....
what you are talking about doing is Management intensive grazing ...which has its place for sure but it aint going to be mob grazing
what you are talking about doing is Management intensive grazing ...which has its place for sure but it aint going to be mob grazing