Back to 2001 Report pg. 1

The rotation was changed during active calving to 40 acre pasture sizes because the cows were much harder to move. Often several cows with new calves were left behind the main herd when cattle were moved. In June, during peak calving, cattle were moved to an 80 acre pasture size rotation and the 80 acre that was hayed was added to the rotation.

Calf crop percentage on the system was 95%, with 8 calves lost from the 160 cows. One of the cows that died of bloat had not yet calved. Several calves were abandoned on the system and thus were made bottle calves. Several other calves became dehydrated and required treatment.

This grazing system is very flexible and holds the opportunity for continued change next season. One idea being looked at is using two herds as early season forage growth out paces one herds ability to graze the forage in a timely manner thus maintaining forage quality. The first herd rotated would be yearlings and the second herd cow-calf pairs with pasture sizes varying by herd and length of pasture grazing.

Larger pastures with longer grazing times would accommodate calving cows more readily than small pastures with quick rotations that would be used for yearlings to maintain higher forage quality for maximum weight gain. Grazing will also begin as early as possible to harvest as much early season forage growth as possible with the cow herd.