Hi, i'd like to set up a paddock grazing system for my herd of 110 organic dairy cows, how do i go about calculating paddock sizes and number of paddocks? I have a plate meter ! I've tried it previous years, but tend to struggle in mid summer months for grass covers, I assume down to having too small a grazing area? or paddock sizes not quite right. Thanks
paddock grazing
- Thread starter farmer notsurewhattodo
- Start date
Tirglas
Member
- Location
- West wales
Decide on 12, 24, 36 or 48 grazing hour sizes and allow for your dry matter intakes then match to desired opening and residual covers.
Example
100 cows 15kg grass dmi
Opening cover 3000
Residual cover 1500
24hr paddock approx 1 ha
So on an organic round length 30 days you would hope to have a grazing platform of at least 30 1ha paddocks and expect to top them up whenever growth is sustained below 50kg/day.
More reasonable would be a few more paddocks of 1 ha or 30 larger paddocks which would allow lower opening covers.
Example
100 cows 15kg grass dmi
Opening cover 3000
Residual cover 1500
24hr paddock approx 1 ha
So on an organic round length 30 days you would hope to have a grazing platform of at least 30 1ha paddocks and expect to top them up whenever growth is sustained below 50kg/day.
More reasonable would be a few more paddocks of 1 ha or 30 larger paddocks which would allow lower opening covers.
- Location
- Hampshire
We have 4 acre paddocks.
frederick
Member
- Location
- south west
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.
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.
for how many milking cows?
Old reckoning , 40 cows per acre per day, 160 cows is a nice fit .
- Location
- Northumberland
Aye, but to be a proper grazer you need to wear shorts & have a twitter account
Sorry about that folks
Is there a local discussion group you could join where there will be folk who would be happy to guide you ?
- Location
- Hampshire
Between 100 to 110
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
80 paddocks is usually a good fit, maybe 84 so you have a couple of extras for hospital / calf paddocks
- Location
- South Molton
Flexibility is the key especially with organic growth that varies through year.
Can always make paddocks smaller, hassle to make larger.
We have majority of 4 acre paddocks with some 5 acre fields.
We use reels to sub divide.
Don't have a plate meter, but years of practice.
I dont have either haha.
Scholsey
Member
- Location
- Herefordshire
- Location
- South Molton
Measured in heads. Managed in heads.
Plate meter is good if you sending a employee out to measure for you
- Location
- Ceredigion
60ts Electric Fence with back Fence was all the go, then tired of moving two fences paddocks came in in the 70ts , never really suited our system as we never had specific silage ground but a multi cut system . Any field that was a few days past grazing was taken out and mowed , then ICI and Lodge Trawscoed came up with Set stocking . Looks like its gone full circle again
I like my plate meter!
I think because I paid for it (eBay I'm not minted!) It gives me the discipline to go out and use it, I'd probably not walk the paddocks properly without it.
We burn up bad in the summer most years and getting the grazing right is easier if you know what's happening.
I work on 20kg - whatever's fed in the parlour/buffer.
I think you just have to try it and you'll end up with a system that suits you, I'd forget if I tried to do it in my head
I think because I paid for it (eBay I'm not minted!) It gives me the discipline to go out and use it, I'd probably not walk the paddocks properly without it.
We burn up bad in the summer most years and getting the grazing right is easier if you know what's happening.
I work on 20kg - whatever's fed in the parlour/buffer.
I think you just have to try it and you'll end up with a system that suits you, I'd forget if I tried to do it in my head
kiwi pom
Member
- Location
- canterbury NZ
That's my very basic understanding of it. No point having fixed sized paddocks if growth rate always changes, measure what you have and alter the break to suit.
Taking it to extremes, I've seen places where they let them into a paddock to finish it for a few hours, then move them to the next. I've seen it done at 9 or 10 o clock at night in some cases.
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
The good old "distractometer", have a bridge party with the thing.
Good for having less grass and more reseeds, or punishing a worker
- Location
- NSW, Newstralya
Paddock grazing ?
How else do you graze if not in a paddock ?
How else do you graze if not in a paddock ?
- Location
- NSW, Newstralya
chuck the f**king thing in the ditch & learn to use your eye & watch the cattle . . .
- Location
- Owaka, New Zealand
The good old "wipe the sweatline on the milktank with a dirty finger" method of feeding a dairy herd is pretty close to the perfect measurement, and watch the fat test to ensure you aren't milking off their backs
chuck the f**king thing in the ditch & learn to use your eye & watch the cattle . . .