When Green Grass Grows

“You just don’t realize how much damage those cows can do,” he says of grazing on wet soils. “If you wouldn’t put a tractor out to harvest hay, you shouldn’t be putting a mob of cattle out, either. Not until the soil is dry enough to withstand the hoof traffic.” says Pillsbury, noting that temporary electric fencing is an easy way to break up established paddocks. “Those grasses will still need a rest period, though, so rotating the cows through the paddocks is essential.”

Replenished soil moisture is a blessing to livestock producers whose pastures and hayfields suffered in last year’s sweltering heat and bone-dry conditions. With the drought now a memory and the rain gauge overflowing, these producers may find new grazing opportunities, says Brian Pillsbury, state grazing lands specialist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Madison, Wisconsin.

“Depending on your operation and objectives, 2019 may be the year to add a few animals to your herd, improve your current forages, add new forages or some combination of all of the above,” he says. “It really depends on your individual situation. Our overall goal from a conservation perspective remains the same, however. We want optimum production without degrading the pasture resource or overall environmental quality.” While lush, green pastures are alluring, Pillsbury cautions against two temptations:

1. Grazing wet pastures

2. Pushing stocking rates on forages stressed by drought the previous year

In regions where drought took its toll in 2018, the extra growth above the surface this spring is the perfect medicine to begin healing any damage below the surface, Pillsbury says. “You want those pastures to recover, and that can take a few months. The extra grass is good for repairing the root systems. More leaf area above ground builds stronger roots.”

In areas where drought wasn’t a factor in 2018 and adequate moisture persists this year, the subsequent additional forage is a resource that producers can utilize in several ways. For those who employ management intensive grazing, the first step is making their paddocks smaller.

“If you subdivide them further, you’re going to get better utilization of the extra forage,”

While Pillsbury doesn’t advise adding momma cows to a herd just to take advantage of a flush of forage, adding seasonal animals such as heifers or stockers that will go to market at the end of the year is a definite option. Offering contract grazing to other livestock producers is an option, too.

“You can still utilize the land and the resource, but at the end of the year, you’re not permanently increasing your stocking rate,” he says.

Find everything you need for electric fencing and supplies to make the most green out of your green pastures.

About the author: This content was originally provided by Gallagher, with minor edits included from Valley Vet Supply.

7 Tips Every Electric Fence DIYer Should Know

Whether you are a beginner or more experienced with electric fencing, here are some of our favorite tips from Gallagher Territory Managers and Support Techs, spanning across the country from California to the New England states, to help improve fencing skills.

1. Planning before you begin is key. Sketch out the area you are fencing. Think about water sources in relevance to the fence as well as gates wide enough to gather or move livestock with ease.

2. Consider installing a temporary fence for a period of time to see if it works for your needs before installing a permanent one.

3. When it comes to grounding your electric fence, as a rule of thumb, use a minimum of three ground rods placed about six feet apart, with the accessory ground rod clamp three-pack.

4. Setting your electric fence far enough from a creek or bank will allow you to pass a brush hog alongside of it to help keep weeds and brush off the hot wire.

5. When installing electric fence, use joint clamps to connect leadout wires and underground cable. Do not wrap the wire onto the fence, as it can arc and will make your fence’s voltage drop simply due to resistance.

6. When underwiring a gate on a hot/ground fence, mark the ground or hot insulated underground wire with electrical tape so you don’t connect the underground wire to the wrong fence resulting in a dead fence when you are finished.

7. Check for tax credits. Cost-share opportunities through government programs may be an option.

Find all your fence building and fixing needs, here.

About the author: This content was originally provided by Gallagher, with minor revisions and additions included from Valley Vet Supply.