paddock grazing

[Kiwi Pete]

Paddock grazing ?
How else do you graze if not in a paddock ?

In fields, is how I interpreted it

Many will have a whole range of field sizes to contend with and either subdivide or vary time to achieve the desired grazing, as per the HPG thread it makes for very unpredictable results because the density is all over the shop if you keep changing all the variables, all the time. Just adds complication and fudgement.

That's why we are going to 80/120 paddock system; the density is controlled by the size of the mob and you know exactly what to expect day by day, also you can change grazing speed to suit pasture growth "by feel" rather than having to calculate and recalculate.
80 paddocks gives a whole host of different grazing speeds just by varying how often the mob gets moved to the next one, but you're still keeping your 580 tonne herd of cows on precisely the same area at all times.

And that means $$$$$ and less

 

[betweenthelines]

Half an acre per cow will give you your grazing platform area, then divide by the number of days you want your grazing rotation to be.

So 110 cows, you would want 28 x 2 acre paddocks. In spring you would have a 21 day (or less) rotation so you can silage some paddocks. Extend the rotation when growth slows. Sub divide each paddock if you want the cows to have fresh grass after each milking.

Grass paddocks according to growth, not date/days.

 

[Slowcow]

Half an acre per cow will give you your grazing platform area, then divide by the number of days you want your grazing rotation to be.

So 110 cows, you would want 28 x 2 acre paddocks. In spring you would have a 21 day (or less) rotation so you can silage some paddocks. Extend the rotation when growth slows. Sub divide each paddock if you want the cows to have fresh grass after each milking.

Grass paddocks according to growth, not date/days.

Just this, only we are organic and dry out bad in the summer, I reckon on 1acre/cow. Do normally take quite a few paddocks for silage in the spring which gets us through the dry, apart from last year, submerged to dust in 10 days or so, didn't cut one paddock for silage all year

 

[crashbox]

There is never a correct size paddock.
I would recommend a few Gallagher reels and metal stakes and change as you learn.
Split your bigger fields with wooden stakes and wire bearing in mind access so it's easier to put up your temporary fences.

Trying to improve grazing management, and have taken this approach. Fields are all different sizes.
Solar fence energiser, few reels of poly wire, and you're away.
Easier to adapt round existing tracks and fences.
All the theory is good but when you start factoring in buffer feed, variable concentrate feeding, different swards, calculations get complicated.
Bought a plate meter a couple of years ago. Fine on good level fields but where there's clumpy grass, hoof depressions, etc. readings unreliable. So now compare to height against boot. Also found ryegrass heading on 2500kgDM/ha so no point waiting to get to 3000 to graze!
Only turned out this week but trying to judge based on what the cows are doing, how much grass they're leaving, etc.
Be good to hear how you get on .

 

[Cows 'n grass]

Half an acre per cow will give you your grazing platform area, then divide by the number of days you want your grazing rotation to be.

So 110 cows, you would want 28 x 2 acre paddocks. In spring you would have a 21 day (or less) rotation so you can silage some paddocks. Extend the rotation when growth slows. Sub divide each paddock if you want the cows to have fresh grass after each milking.

Grass paddocks according to growth, not date/days.

2 cows/ac (5/ha) is a massive stocking rate. I've dropped numbers a bit this year so I can get back to 3.5/ha.

 

[Sid]

2 cows/ac (5/ha) is a massive stocking rate. I've dropped numbers a bit this year so I can get back to 3.5/ha.

And you have the benefit of bagged N unlike the OP!

OPs get out of jail cards are more limited being organic as well.

 

[Cows 'n grass]

And you have the benefit of bagged N unlike the OP!

OPs get out of jail cards are more limited being organic as well.

I'm trying to gradually ease back on N use and considerably cut back cake use which is why I've lowered the stocking rate. That said I've just got off the phone with my contractor who's currently covering the whole farm in urea.

I think 3.5/ha is about right for most spring calvers and 4-4.5/ha for autumn calvers on reasonable ground.

 

[vantage]

I'm trying to gradually ease back on N use and considerably cut back cake use which is why I've lowered the stocking rate. That said I've just got off the phone with my contractor who's currently covering the whole farm in urea.

I think 3.5/ha is about right for most spring calvers and 4-4.5/ha for autumn calvers on reasonable ground.

With a proposed NVZ in Wales limiting stocking rates to 2.2 LSU/ha I was surprised when two Spring calvers said they were under that. Always assumed they’d be 3 cows /ha, as smaller cows.