from the Ranching for Profit School
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How do you know when it is time to move animals from one pasture to another?
Most people figure that if they are out of feed in one pasture, it is time to move. The herd is probably standing at the gate voicing their agreement that it is time to “Mooove.” There’s nothing they’d like better than to be in fresh, clean forage in the next paddock.
But tempting as it may be to follow the herd’s advice, the primary driver of the timing of a move should
NOT
be the quantity of feed left in the pasture being grazed. It should be the quantity of forage available in the pasture the herd is getting moved to. If that pasture hasn’t recovered from the previous grazing, the herd should
NOT
be moved into it. Moving into a pasture before it has recovered promotes soil compaction and weeds. It leads to less desirable forages and reduces carrying capacity.
Of course, if a pasture has been grazed to dust the animals should be moved. In fact, they should have been moved long before the pasture was pummeled. But if other pastures haven’t recovered they should not be moved to those pastures. They ought to be moved off the ranch (destock) or into a dry lot to feed hay until pastures have recovered. If you aren’t willing to destock or feed, animal performance, pasture productivity and long-term ranch profitability will suffer.
Moving the herd from a paddock that’s been severely grazed to one that needs more time to recover is the first step down a slippery slope. If we are running out of feed, our pastures need more time to recover, not less. Moving early results in less recovery time. Every experienced grazier has fallen into this trap at some point. It’s not a fun place to be, and getting out is emotionally and financially draining.
Watch the video below to see what can happen when you let the severity of pasture use drive your grazing decisions.
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I’m not suggesting that the severity of grazing in a pasture isn’t important. It is. The more severely you graze a paddock the poorer the animal performance and the longer it will take to recover. The more leaves you leave, the faster the pasture will recover. However, in making your decision to move or not to move the severity of grazing is secondary to making sure paddocks have recovered from the previous grazing.
I recommend that you get in the habit of checking the pasture you plan to move animals into BEFORE you check the pasture the animals are in. While you are in the pasture that’s recovering, ask yourself, “Can I move them here today?” If the answer is “No,” don’t let your cows convince you otherwise.
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2018 - 2019 School Schedule
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Sept. 9-15, 2018
Boise, ID
at Holiday Inn Express
Dec. 2-8, 2018
Abilene, TX
at MCM Elegante Suites
Jan. 6-12, 2019
Colorado Springs, CO
at Radisson
Jan. 13-19, 2019
Billings, MT
at Billings Hotel
Jan. 20-26, 2019
Rapid City, SD
at Best Western Ramkota
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Take a listen to Tex and Taylor talk about what they learned at a Ranching for Profit school and how they plan to adjust their business.
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June 19, 2018
Alberta, Canada
Intro to Ranching for Profit & Grazing Workshop
June 20, 2018
Alberta, Canada
3 Secrets for Increasing Profit Workshop
June 22, 2018
Sidney, Montana
3 Secrets for Increasing Profit Workshop
June 23, 2018
Malta,
Montana
Dave Pratt Seminars
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Job Announcements
Have a job opening you are looking to fill?
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Ranch Feedlot Manager at Stovall Ranches LLC in Billings, MT
Ranch Feedlot Manager position open for an experienced and skilled person with leadership skills. Position reports directly to General Manager/Owner. Must be excellent in delivering and managing feed, animal health/performance and managing people. Professional experience required. You must be a person who leads by example and people naturally follow you.
Excellent communication skills are required.
This position is evaluated on animal performance and business unit profitability. Mechanical, animal health, management are all important skills however we are looking for someone who can bring them all together to be profitable. This is a position of leadership and we need someone who can lead a TEAM by working within the TEAM. Currently the feedlot has over 6000 feet of fixed bunk with many outside portable bunks in pastures. All of the feed, health, animal performance and accounting/finance are managed through a feedlot software system in which this position is responsible.
The feedlot manages all classes of cattle through all feeding segments of production for the ranch while custom feeding outside cattle.
The plan is to grow and improve giving a lot of opportunity for right person.
This fourth-generation family operation is a large diversified ranch that includes 3 ranches, several farms, and a feedlot. We have an excellent crew but we are trying grow and need more focused assistance as we grow numbers and acres. We believe technology is the future in livestock, equipment and management systems. We conduct extensive AI programs and other breeding programs that require a lot of sorting as our livestock are marketed into many different programs throughout the year. You need to be able to be trained with EID readers and Animal Health and Production software (you will have help). Our bred cattle are sold into Angus female markets and our feeder cattle finish into high end meat markets. Detailed production is important and BQA training/certification is a must!
Competitive wages and endless opportunities for the person that helps us grow in this family environment. Professional references and onsite interview required. We are looking for a natural fit for both parties. Call or text: 406-698-6907. Send resumes:
turkstovall@hotmail.com
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Job Announcement Guidelines
RMC will only post job announcements submitted by Ranching for Profit school alumni. Postings will appear in two consecutive ProfitTips. Job announcements must clearly describe the available position including contact information. Announcements may be edited for space and/or clarity. We reserve the right to refuse ads deemed inappropriate.
RMC will not act as an intermediary and does not endorse a
particular
individual, organization, or company.
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953 Linden Ave. Fairfield, CA 94533
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