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CloversMum

3486 Posts


Posted - May 05 2014 :  10:10:39 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
How much pasture do you figure per cow? Regular size cow vs miniature cow? Do you use lots of rotational/mob grazing techniques? If so, how do you cross-fence? Electric wire?

Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens

maryjane

7074 Posts


Posted - May 12 2014 :  1:49:39 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I'm not terribly scientific about my pastures. I've ended up finding what works through trial and error. Truth be known, everyone's opinions and techniques were overwhelming and daunting for me in the beginning, so I merely put up a fence and started watching my cows. As I worked with them and my herd grew, it became apparent what I should do next. My book has a section on my preferred kind of electric fence and I'm about to fence off a new section, well, hopefully I'll get to that soon:)

My top priority is a mud hole that my two biggest bulls have to walk through every day to get to their pasture. They sink up to their knees. We diverted the trickle of water that had always been there before we fenced that section off, but apparently it needs a culvert and not just a ditch. Like I said, trial and ERROR:)


MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~
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CloversMum

3486 Posts


Posted - May 22 2014 :  1:10:59 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Water around here is precious, so can you make good use of the trickle of water? Or is it just enough to be a hassle rather than a benefit? If its just a hassle, it should dry up fairly quick since things get so dry around here!

Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens
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maryjane

7074 Posts


Posted - May 22 2014 :  8:37:25 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
It's more of a seepage than a trickle at this point. I have quite a few wet spots because I'm at the base of the ridge. I have several places that I can't do anything with other than grow cattails. I'm not complaining. But lack of water over here isn't a problem!

This is off topic but it's just starting to get dark and I'm looking out the window at my herd. Have you ever noticed how just before it's bed time they get seriously frolic-y and fanciful? Even my eldest milk cow throws her head around and kicks up her heels in a follow-the-leader kind of way? You know, got to know how to pony, like Bony Maronie, mash potato, do the alligator, put your hands on your hips, yeah, let your backbone slip, do the Watusi, like my little Lucy ...


MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~
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maryjane

7074 Posts


Posted - May 22 2014 :  11:52:27 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
It's more of a seepage than a trickle at this point. I have quite a few wet spots because I'm at the base of the ridge. I have several places that I can't do anything with other than grow cattails. I'm not complaining. But lack of water over here isn't a problem!

This is off topic, but it's just starting to get dark and I'm looking out the window at my herd. Have you ever noticed how just before it's bed time they get seriously frolic-y and fanciful? Even my eldest milk cow throws her head around and kicks up her heels in a follow-the-leader kind of way? You know, got to know how to pony, like Bony Maronie, mash potato, do the alligator, put your hand on your hips, yeah, let your backbone slip, do the Watusi, like my little Lucy ...


MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~
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CloversMum

3486 Posts


Posted - May 23 2014 :  8:19:49 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Send some water our way, then!


Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens
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maryjane

7074 Posts


Posted - May 25 2014 :  12:46:47 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Will you take milk instead?:)

MaryJane Butters, author of Milk Cow Kitchen ~ striving for the stoicism of a cow standing in the rain ~
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CloversMum

3486 Posts


Posted - May 26 2014 :  8:01:47 PM  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Oh yes...Jersey milk is soooo good! :-) Jersey cream in my coffee is even better!

Loving life and family on our Idaho farm, Meadowlark Heritage Farm; A few Jersey cows; a few alpacas; a few more goats, and even more ducks and chickens
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