Post by bluebar23 on Jan 8, 2018 14:56:45 GMT -5
Let me preface this by saying I know/understand absolutely NOTHING about pasture management, planting, grazing, or haying.
We have 4.5 acres of "pasture" on our place, which we just bought in August. It is mostly grass, some clover, some vetch, and some weeds. Last year it had nothing done to it except being mowed and let lie in Aug, and then about 1/3 of it got grazed in Sept-Nov. (We do not own a tractor; our mailman farms a couple miles away and was kind enough to come by and give it a once-over for us.)
I spent a grand putting up enough hay and straw for the winter for our cows and goats (people here were awesome about helping me calculate how much I needed and I hope I got it right, but this is our first winter feeding ruminants, so nothing is certain). Then I was talking to the neighbor a week ago and found out a couple years ago they hayed our acreage AND GOT SEVENTEEN ROUND BALES OFF OF IT I was flabbergasted! There is that much feed out there???
So, now I feel I have no idea what to do with it next year. I just assumed we would cross-fence it in spring and rotationally graze the cows and goats; by that point it will be one first freshener, 1 yearling heifer, and 1-2 calves, and then three nanny goats with whatever kids they have. I figured we would graze all spring/summer/fall, and then have to spend the $$ on buying hay for winter again. But is there some way to do it where we hay the whole thing at a certain point, and graze before/after? Or hay part of it, so that we can get enough to at least help with the winter hay supply?
Granted, any haying is conditional on us being able to find someone willing to hay a tiny field, and with small bale equipment, as that is all we can handle. Unless we do something like just leave the big bales out in the pasture, and run them out there in winter?? Is that a thing people do?
Basically, I have this land and these animals to feed and no real idea of how to put the two together for optimal production and efficiency. Any guidance or suggestions would be very welcome!!
We have 4.5 acres of "pasture" on our place, which we just bought in August. It is mostly grass, some clover, some vetch, and some weeds. Last year it had nothing done to it except being mowed and let lie in Aug, and then about 1/3 of it got grazed in Sept-Nov. (We do not own a tractor; our mailman farms a couple miles away and was kind enough to come by and give it a once-over for us.)
I spent a grand putting up enough hay and straw for the winter for our cows and goats (people here were awesome about helping me calculate how much I needed and I hope I got it right, but this is our first winter feeding ruminants, so nothing is certain). Then I was talking to the neighbor a week ago and found out a couple years ago they hayed our acreage AND GOT SEVENTEEN ROUND BALES OFF OF IT I was flabbergasted! There is that much feed out there???
So, now I feel I have no idea what to do with it next year. I just assumed we would cross-fence it in spring and rotationally graze the cows and goats; by that point it will be one first freshener, 1 yearling heifer, and 1-2 calves, and then three nanny goats with whatever kids they have. I figured we would graze all spring/summer/fall, and then have to spend the $$ on buying hay for winter again. But is there some way to do it where we hay the whole thing at a certain point, and graze before/after? Or hay part of it, so that we can get enough to at least help with the winter hay supply?
Granted, any haying is conditional on us being able to find someone willing to hay a tiny field, and with small bale equipment, as that is all we can handle. Unless we do something like just leave the big bales out in the pasture, and run them out there in winter?? Is that a thing people do?
Basically, I have this land and these animals to feed and no real idea of how to put the two together for optimal production and efficiency. Any guidance or suggestions would be very welcome!!