Zero grazing.

[Nh6050]

Looking idea of zero grazing this spring for a while before full turn out.
Don’t want to spend money on fancy gear to do it.
Was wondering if I run in and mowed 2 days worth with the mower then bales it and fetch back to the cows in a bale without putting the net on and let it out the baler at feed ally would it work or be a disaster.

 

[Beef farmer]

DISASTER

 

[Aircooled]

Not disaster, plenty doing it but don't let the grass heat.

 

[Nh6050]

I thought if slackened baler off will be able to roll them out down the feed ally.

 

[fiat100]

It can be done but it is a lot of hassle .

 

[pappuller]

Looking idea of zero grazing this spring for a while before full turn out.
Don’t want to spend money on fancy gear to do it.
Was wondering if I run in and mowed 2 days worth with the mower then bales it and fetch back to the cows in a bale without putting the net on and let it out the baler at feed ally would it work or be a disaster.

if you want 0 grazing to work properly you firstly need the right kit, and secondly cut the grass at the right stage, if you can put it in a bale and roll it out you've cut it far too late.
ive been pishing about with it for two years and still haven't got it right, plenty on here who have @happycows @Scholsey @Suckndiesel

 

[cattow]

Mow 2 days worth
Bale less than 24 hrs worth

 

[Scholsey]

Mow 2 days worth
Bale less than 24 hrs worth

Cheers @pappuller we are a long way from mastering this cut and carry job! But one thing i do wish is we started doing it years ago!

Still think the bales will be steaming by the next day. I used to mow with one tractor and pick up with the wagon on another, left 6 hours between mowing and picking up one day to see if a bit of wilt helped intakes and it was all steaming 6 hours after being put out infront of the cows. They had eaten less than half of what they would have done if it was picked up fresh. I imagine it would be the same if not worse if done with a baler with grass down for 48 hours. Silage and fresh cut grass are two completely different things.

 

[Scholsey]

Looking idea of zero grazing this spring for a while before full turn out.
Don’t want to spend money on fancy gear to do it.
Was wondering if I run in and mowed 2 days worth with the mower then bales it and fetch back to the cows in a bale without putting the net on and let it out the baler at feed ally would it work or be a disaster.

If you want to try it get a contractor in with a forage wagon with the blades tipped out for 30mins everyday for a couple of weeks, bugering around with a baler isnt a fair test.

 

[Suckndiesel]

Have a neighbour that has done it a few times with a round baler think it worked ok, the bales weren’t net wrapped and just put into the passage straight away as soon as they’re made. I think you’d need to spread them a bit with the loader so they can get it ate quicker to avoid heating, Also it’d be better to mow it fresh I would think, I know with pre topping mowing too far ahead for them and they aren’t as keen on it. You may just try it and see!

 

[Beef farmer]

When's is everyone having a go with the grazers?

 

[pappuller]

When's is everyone having a go with the grazers?

After you no doubt

 

[Scholsey]

Ventured onto one field was planning on cutting before ploughing for wholecrop with the loadall to get a couple of trees out for planking up......won't be cutting this field for a day or two.

 

[Beef farmer]

View attachment 634520

Ventured onto one field was planning on cutting before ploughing for wholecrop with the loadall to get a couple of trees out for planking up......won't be cutting this field for a day or two.

With the amount of grass in that picture, take you a day or two to fill a wheel barrow. Fields with 2800 covers are gonna ttav very well.

 

[Suckndiesel]

View attachment 634520

Ventured onto one field was planning on cutting before ploughing for wholecrop with the loadall to get a couple of trees out for planking up......won't be cutting this field for a day or two.

You can hardly see where you’ve been!

 

[The Agrarian]

I'd say you were bricking it halfway along that sidecast.

Nothing worse in a field than yard shovel. I speak from personal experience.

 

[ollie989898]

Pay a contractor to do it. Every morning with the load discharged by a set time. He wont be dirt cheap but the food will be which is much more important.

 

[happycows]

Off with the super singles and on with these boys.
Look like gate crook catchers too me but they were a bargain off eBay.
Hope they float like they should.

 

[Suckndiesel]

What size are they?

 

[BDBed]

Bale would definitely heat quite quickly. Oh and if anybody in the East Midlands wanted to try or have some zero grazing done. I have a brand new pottinger 6010 sat in the shed . Sorry couldn't resist