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| Warmer weather - welcome back! |
The month of May in Upstate New York is traditionally one of our dryer months before the late Spring, early Summer rains come through to help the grass grow. The cows are ready to be out on fresh pasture - not too long now!
In the summer, we graze our cows using a rotational grazing system - strategically moving the animals to partitioned pasture areas to allow the vegetation in other areas the time to rest and re-grow. This also ensures the root systems of the grasses are kept strong and healthy year to year - reducing the need to re-seed pastures
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| The cows grazing on a fresh "strip" of pasture area. Notice the area in the left side of the photo has been grazed down while the next section to the right will be ready for the cows next. |
While rotational grazing requires a more continuous and intensive management of the cows and their grazing (the herd typically moves areas every 2-3 days during the summer months), the benefits are important to our farm's overall success. Advantages of rotational grazing include:
- Limited soil compaction which encourages root growth
- The continuous ground cover of vegetation reduces soil erosion
- A significant reduction in weeds due to the resting periods
- Longer grazing season - very important in the Northeast where harsh winters are long and hay must be fed
- Better animal productivity and better use of the available forage on the farm
- Improved distribution of nutrients and fertilizer (manure) as the animals are continuously rotating through pasture areas
Interested in learning more about rotational grazing for your animals? We would be happy to share more materials and information - send us an email.
We are looking forward to our summer season of rotational grazing and haying. Hope the warm weather has found you wherever you may be.
- Grayson Family Farm.
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