When considering developing a management-intensive pasture system, one of the first major concerns is "How big do I make the paddocks?" Many beginning "grass farmers' would like a "recipe" to help determine paddock size and fencing needs. However, experienced graziers will confirm that management-intensive grazing is an art driven by biological science. Plant yield, forage species and fertility needs will NOT be constant and will vary with temperature, soil moisture, plant rest period, season of year, etc. Therefore, flexibility will need to be built into any effective grazing system. The following guidelines should be considered before fence building begins.
How big should my paddocks be?To answer this question you must first determine the animal requirements from the pasture and the available forage. Daily Animal Dry Matter Requirements Animal Requirements from pasture = (A X B) - C Available Forage = [(D - E) X F] X G Dry Matter Yield/Acre (approximate) Example: Therefore, I acre with I, 125# of available DM will supply the DM requirements of the 250 ewes for one day. The above guidelines should help a grazing manager plan a flexible, useful grazing system. |
Guideline #1: Design with flexibility in mind. Since livestock needs and plant growth patterns change throughout the year, a management intensive pasture system will need to gear for these changes. A manager can make changes in size of paddock, length of grazing period for a paddock from I to 3 days etc., number of animals, add second graziers, use supplemental feed, move to hay fields during dry weather, or use annual forages.
Guideline #2: Design the system on paper first. An aerial photo can be a real asset in helping to layout possible fence patterns. An aerial photo can assist in locating trees, ponds, ridges, etc. and help look at livestock flow patterns. In fields which livestock have pastured previously, existing paths can help identify movement patterns. If paths are prominent, ask why? Will livestock be able to adapt to a change in flow? Remember, milking dairy cows need to return to the barn at least twice each day.
Guideline #3: Each grazing system should contain at least 10 paddocks or subdivisions for good forage management. The more subdivisions that are included, the greater the level of management that is needed to obtain a positive return. Ten paddocks will allow the manager to graze in a 20 day rotation (2 days per paddock) or 30 day rotation (3 days per paddock). Flexibility can be maintained by using larger "permanent" paddocks which can be sub-divided by portable fencing. These larger permanent paddocks can allow easy mechanical harvest of hay if needed. Paddocks should be as square as possible. It takes less total fence for relatively square paddocks. Also, there is better grazing utilization and manure distribution in square paddocks.
Guideline #4: Fencing should be inexpensive and electric, energized by a low impedance, high voltage energizer. The perimeter fence should be sufficient to allow the manager (and family) confidence that the livestock will not "escape." Internal divisions should be just enough to keep livestock from challenging them. One electrified wire will maintain cattle, but two or three will be needed for sheep. If the manager is bringing in stocker calves which may not be familiar with electric fence, the first paddocks to be used should have more wires to help with "training." You may also train the animals to electric fencing in a corral or secured area.
Guideline #5: In rough, hilly land, slope aspect and location of hill crests should be considered. Land with south facing slopes which tend to warm earlier in spring and get drier in summer, should be fenced separately if areas are large enough. Conversely, north facing slopes should also be handled separately. Livestock tend to "camp" on hill crests and as a result fertility is transferred to these locations because of the additional manure. Fencing which limits access to these areas help eliminate this "build up."
Guideline #6: Each paddock in a system should contain enough land to produce approximately the same amount of forage dry matter. In varying soil types paddock size may need to vary due to the land's productive capabilities. System management is easier to control when dry matter quantity is similar (For example, one and one-half acres may be needed to equal one acre of pasture from soil of higher productively.)
Guideline #7: When slopes are greater than 15 percent, fence paddocks so that livestock will graze on the contour. Livestock grazing patterns more readily conform to the contour rather than up and down the slope. Soil erosion will be reduced by grazing on the contour.
Guideline #8: Establish lanes or walkways on the higher, drier soils. Concentrated livestock traffic will cause paths and bare ground. With paths going up and down slopes, considerable erosion can occur. Additional practices such as "water bars" (ditches which carry water across roads to a grassed area) or graveling may be necessary.
For species other than dairy, lanes may not be needed when water is supplied in the paddock. Temporary lanes can be constructed with poly-wire or tape when needed to move livestock long distances.
Any gates should be in the corner of the paddock. It should be so that lead animals can find it or be driven to it, and thus other animals will follow them down the lane. Driving relatively large herds through small gates and alleys can be difficult.
Guideline #9: Try to establish paddocks which will allow you to graze plant species which are similar in maturity. For example, bluegrass will be ready to regraze in 20 days in spring, while alfalfa will be ready in 32-35 days. These two cannot be grazed correctly together. If the manager concentrates on bluegrass, the alfalfa will be too young and will "die out" from the stand. On the other hand, if grazing is programmed for alfalfa, the blue grass will be too mature (low feed value) and will not be grazed willingly. A glazier needs to determine the species to be managed correctly and manage to have it grazed prior to seed head formation.
Guideline #10: Where possible, limit the livestock's access to streams where banks are low and use gravel and/or geotextile cloth in these areas. For example, try to fence so that the stream is available for watering of livestock from one side of the stream. Long term planning should include goals to eliminate watering from streams on a constant basis.
Guideline #11: Plan to have additional land near your grazing system for use with temporary fencing during hot, dry summer months. As the season gets drier and warmer, forage growth slows. Also, spring born livestock get larger and need more forage. Nearby hay fields can then be included in the grazing plan. Producers should also consider crop residues, sacrifice paddocks, holding areas and warm season grasses in their grazing plans.
Call Before You Dig, Pound, or Slice! There are many buried utilities along roads and even across fields. Before you drive posts or lay waterlines, contact the Ohio Utilities Protection Service at 1-800-3622764 to make sure you are safe from danger and liability to damaged utilities.