Custom Grazing Lessons Learned
It Must Work For Both Parties Manage them like you own them. If they look sick, doctor them. High quality water. Solid drinking pads, no mud.
Finding Cattle Ads in farm stores. Posted ads in sale barns. Drove the country looking for cattle.
Told all neighbors we had grass. Started looking for dry cows
Put ads in local newspaper. Posted ad in local cafes. Kept ad very simple.
This Is The Ad: FOR LEASE: 100 acres pasture for lease. Need 40 dry cows to graze from April 1 st till September 30 th
Placing The Ad Place ad before grazing season. Ad was placed in March. Have farm ready before placing ad.
Much better to under stock, then over stock. If you promise 6 months, give it to them.
Other Sources Registered breeders for grazing yearlings. Put out ad for replacement heifers. Vet offices, place ad. Grass-fed beef companies.
Watch for drought areas, place ad. Really concentrate on sale barns. Feed stores, place ad.
Be willing to do whatever it takes. A good grazing plan is essential.
Don t promise actions you can t deliver. Start with smaller numbers. Work up to larger numbers.
Easier to watch 30 hd than 150 hd. Keep it simple, don t overwhelm yourself.
If qualified, offer calving services. If facilities exist, offer weaning services.
Learn low stress handling methods. Get the stress off quickly.
Spring cow herd rotated to Fall cow herd. Get a check every month.
Rent portable corral, very sturdy. Makes loading day very easy.
Once you get an owner, keep them! Keep them informed about their cattle.
We give monthly updates with grazing bill. Cattle owners are welcome to visit anytime.
Integrity Must be honest with owner. Admit mistakes.
Actual Detailed Contract I Greg Judy agree to manage Joe Smith s 120 cows and 3 bulls for the grazing year of 2005. Cows will be stocked around April 1st, 2005 and the cattle owner will be given 30 days notice when to load cattle.
The grazing charge is $30.00 per month per cow. The monthly grazing fee is due by the 20th of the following month.
Greg Judy will rotate cattle through a series of paddocks as grass growth dictates. Cattle will always have fresh grass/legume forage.
Clean quality water is available to livestock daily.
Mineral will be available at all times to the cattle as they rotate through the paddocks. Cattle will be observed daily for health issues.
Cattle owner may check his cattle at any time they desire. The cattle owner agrees not to drive over pasture at any time for any reason unless they get prior permission from Greg Judy.
Cattle owner is responsible for all death loss or injury of cattle. Cattle owner has liability policy on his cows when turned out on leased farm.
Greg Judy will supply all labor, water and grass for the cows. Handling, sorting, weaning and loading facilities are available on the farm.
Calves will be weaned on farm with across the fence low stress weaning method. Cattle owner will pick up weaned calves on day 5 after being removed from cow.
Cows with eye or foot problems will be doctored by Greg Judy with the cattle owner providing the medicine. Any vet expense is the cattle owner s responsibility.
Cattle owner will provide all hauling, mineral and medicine. Supplemental feed can be fed at owners request and at his expense.
Grazier Signature Date Cattle Owner Signature Date
Comment: Read this over and voice any questions or concerns that you may have.
My Early Goals Pay off present debt immediately Stockpile monthly grazing check into cattle savings account. Quit town job, work for myself.
Proven Tips Allow yourself to dream big. Have a written set of goals. Keep your wallet closed. Spend money on things that eat grass. No machinery.
Animal Performance Is No. 1 Stay Focused On The Animals Never Limit Their Intake Watch gut fill, right below hip bone, gut should be flush or rounded.
Lowest Pecking Order Weak or young animals are ones to check for daily gut fill. If animal gets bullied, they will stop eating. If gut is slightly indented, animal was limited.
Limited Gut Fill
Proper Gut Fill
Perfect Gland Function
Finished Beef
Slick Hair coat
Mineral Rich Leaves
Mature High Energy Plants
Critical Performance Period 60 days before calving. 80% of unborn calf is grown in last 60 days. If cow s intake is limited, health problems will occur with new calf.
ph ph7, minerals are taken up Immune system works Sheds parasites Maximises growth Maximises conception Free Choice Minerals
Animal Size Form Follows Function: The Function of An Animal is to perform in the Environment into which it is Born
Breed Back Cows that calve with BCS of 6.5 have 97% breed back. Cows that calve with BCS of 5.5 have 72% breed back. Cow should be gaining weight when she calves.
Cattle Health Issues Cattle health issues show up 60 days later. Health issues are caused by limited intake in the past. Cows can not pass the correct nutrition to the calf.
Excess Protein Excess protein limits energy conversion. Heavy legume pastures cause excess protein. Runny stools are a sign of to much protein.
Water Uptake Watch your cattle drink. Are they licking at the water? Runny stools are a symptom of limited water intake. Smell the water.
Animal Behavior Sit with your animals and observe. Animals should walk into the next paddock, no bawling. Animals should act content, heads down and grazing.
Conclusions Do not limit intake. Watch animal behavior. Monitor water quality. Check manure. Calve at BCS of 6.5.
Closing Thoughts Work for others to improve your animal husbandry skills. Never leave a sick animal undoctered. 100% honesty everytime. Have a positive attitude no matter what.
My Old Town Job