Views on harrowing and rolling?

[farmgineer]

Hello all, I’m on the final round of the year with cattle and I’m leaving about 4” of grass in places. I usually would then follow with sheep to eat it right down when we were set stocked, then in spring I would spring time Harrow and roll the pasture as it started to grow.
What is the view with regard to managed grazing (aiming at regenerative but not there yet) should I leave the grass standing to create more growth? Would taking it right down give the seedbed a better chance? Removing the thatch with the rake has shown to increase yields previously but then I am taking out the material that I spent the summer trampling in? And Rolling also shows to give benefits in bulk but shortens the height of the grass and gives better competition benefits to the weeds like thistles?
I’m scratching my head on this one, would really appreciate your views so I make a decision well in advance. Thanks

 

[The Ruminant]

The more grass you leave in the autumn, the more growth you will get through winter and the earlier it will start motoring in the spring.

Mob grazing will get rid of any thatch. No need to burn fossil fuel when the cattle will do the job.

Why roll? Compact the soil your worms have spent all summer aerating? I try to avoid driving on my fields with any type of vehicle, at all times.

Hope this helps your decision making!

 

[Kiwi Pete]

"Total grazing" is a good substitute.

Sheep are ideal for the task, especially dry sheep or those in early gestation, it can be hard on them especially if their teeth are on the way out.

Humus production can come from a number of sources, you could leave litter or residue behind - or you could put it through your livestock and use the extra recovery time to do the same.
We do a mixture of both - grow the covers up in the spring and graze them back down in the wintertime

Really it's a juggle between all of your concerns, to reach the right decision for you.