Beef Finishing: Paddocks?

Dickie10

Just wondering how many people on here are finishing cattle with paddocks installed or are just doing old fashioned block grazing.

for years we finished cattle off grass and fed the ones that were not fit in the shed in winter. basically we grazed sheep and cattle together over 3 fields that totaled around 50 acres and in late August picked off the ones fit for the factory and agin in early october. this year i decided to split a 20 acrs field in 3 paddocks, i prob wont need the 3rd so im going to keep it and wrap silage bales off it. i was looking to put out 28-30 2 yearr old heifers on the two paddocks that are about 7 acres each, would i get this out of the two paddocks? they are slurried since mid feb and a tonne of urea about 3 weeks ago. growth has really kicked off on them in the last week. it was reseeded 4 years ago.

is there anyone using block grazing still or is it all paddocks, my two neighbours still let cattle roam across a few open fields i dread rounding them up with them! these lads are finishing cattle as well but dont bother with paddocks, in fact the opposite one of them has about 40 cattle across 60 acres and the other has 25 across about 50!

Miname

Splitting 20 acres into 3 isn't a paddock system. 30 heifers will want around 1.5 acres of good grass every three days . Can you set up temp fences keep fresh grazing in front of them and get it cleaned off with some non priority stock. You'll have loads more grass and better thrive.

tractorporn

I would advise to give it a go even if it is only putting the 20 acres into three paddocks. You wont know yourself in terms of having grass in front of the cattle all season long and having dipped your toe in I can almost guarantee you will split the rest of the farm into paddocks and never go back to block grazing.

We have all large fields split up and all smaller fields fenced so that cattle are penned in, its a simple system but we always have fresh grass for stock and the option of baling up anything that gets too strong.

As for your original question there are plenty of people set stocking on blocks of land but in my opinion its hugely inefficient.

Cavanjack

In a similar dilemma myself. Ive a field about two miles from the home place about 22 acres split in two. Usually keep 28 2 year old bullocks on it. It's good dry ground but unsuitable for silage cutting.
I've being thinking about splitting it up into more paddocks but problem is if grass gets too strong In a paddock what do I do. It's not possible to move extra stock onto it for a few days and I can't cut silage off it. Split it up anyway and cut back on the fertilizer maybe?

Dickie10

how do these lads cope for water ? i have two dinkers in this field and im not keen on sticking ones into the middle of it because i like to cut silage off it regularly, i dont usually wrap bales.

il start off with the three paddocks and move them every two weeks

memorystick

I'm thinking of putting paddocks into a 16 acre field. Not the driest and have to put one shore across it. But am hoping do divide into 4 acre paddocks. My question is how are people managing paddocks when in permanent pasture. I forgot to say that it can't be topped until the end of July.

Reggie.

memorystick wrote: »

I'm thinking of putting paddocks into a 16 acre field. Not the driest and have to put one shore across it. But am hoping do divide into 4 acre paddocks. My question is how are people managing paddocks when in permanent pasture. I forgot to say that it can't be topped until the end of July.

I rear my 6 forward stores on 4 1acre paddocks and it takes them roughly a week to clear each one with means the rest get a 3 week break till they are in again grazing.

grassroot1

Grow it in 21 days and graze it in 1 day
Use white posts and reels to make subdivisions not paddocks as such.
Its about increasing the volume of grass grown and utlised, dont think how many bullocks in a 20 acre field
Remove the following phrases from your mindset
1. I cant
2. It wont work
3. We never do that here.
Visit a farmer measuring grass and learn about grass from them.

Bass Reeves

Cavanjack wrote: »

In a similar dilemma myself. Ive a field about two miles from the home place about 22 acres split in two. Usually keep 28 2 year old bullocks on it. It's good dry ground but unsuitable for silage cutting.
I've being thinking about splitting it up into more paddocks but problem is if grass gets too strong In a paddock what do I do. It's not possible to move extra stock onto it for a few days and I can't cut silage off it. Split it up anyway and cut back on the fertilizer maybe?

Dickie10 wrote: »

how do these lads cope for water ? i have two dinkers in this field and im not keen on sticking ones into the middle of it because i like to cut silage off it regularly, i dont usually wrap bales.

il start off with the three paddocks and move them every two weeks

grassroot1 wrote: »

Grow it in 21 days and graze it in 1 day
Use white posts and reels to make subdivisions not paddocks as such.
Its about increasing the volume of grass grown and utlised, dont think how many bullocks in a 20 acre field
Remove the following phrases from your mindset
1. I cant
2. It wont work
3. We never do that here.
Visit a farmer measuring grass and learn about grass from them.

Drystock to most is not a 1 day system. I love to move them every three day but at times it slips to a week or even 10 days days. However any division above 5 acres ( and even at that it needs to be split in two is useless). Do not worry about silage. In drystock bales are the cheapest silage you make. If you make a pit open it ASAP when demand allows and hopefully it is finished by February.

Bales might be expensive but there are a drystock farmers friend second only to his pocket. Dickie if you put two troughs in the middle of that field would you lose a 1/10 of an acre of grass, you get eight paddocks for those two troughs. Mark the area for the mower and f@@k him.

CJ you be surprised what you can mow if you have it marked, there is only 6 weeks when this is an issue. It a case of picking the best area's of that field and having the bits of danger marked. They do not have to be in squares or rectangles.

GR you are right to a certain extent but land differs and time lads have differs as well. Ideally less that 5 day paddocks, but no more than two weeks. 3-5 day ideally for most of the year.

Never wrestle with pigs

I have 14ac on out farm. I usually block graze this over summer with about 14 suckers and a bull. Calves would be born in dec/jan so would be strong. I can split this into 5 handy. It's good dry ground. Question is would I run the same numbers on it or would I be better off with 10/12 cows and the bull? Thanks

Who2

Never wrestle with pigs wrote: »

I have 14ac on out farm. I usually block graze this over summer with about 14 suckers and a bull. Calves would be born in dec/jan so would be strong. I can split this into 5 handy. It's good dry ground. Question is would I run the same numbers on it or would I be better off with 10/12 cows and the bull? Thanks

if it's an out farm chances are realistically you throw your eye on them driving past. If your getting that number on it over the year and they are doing ok well your not doing too bad. The other side is if you do split it up easily you should be able to carry another couple or even creep graze the calves. You'll see a serious difference in the grass quality and a better thrive on the animals.

cacs

Never wrestle with pigs wrote: »

I have 14ac on out farm. I usually block graze this over summer with about 14 suckers and a bull. Calves would be born in dec/jan so would be strong. I can split this into 5 handy. It's good dry ground. Question is would I run the same numbers on it or would I be better off with 10/12 cows and the bull? Thanks

I have the same ground split into 0.8 ha paddocks and I plan to graze 17 cows plus a bull plus four stores no problem

locha

I stared dividing fields up last year and it was a revelation. On one 23 acre field of new grass I ran 37 bullocks and also took some bales. Had it split into 4/5 divisions. Now gearing up to do a lot more of it. You are limited by your water which takes an investment for a permanent solution. While it takes work and management the saving is on the meal bill.

Buford T. Justice XIX

Never wrestle with pigs wrote: »

I have 14ac on out farm. I usually block graze this over summer with about 14 suckers and a bull. Calves would be born in dec/jan so would be strong. I can split this into 5 handy. It's good dry ground. Question is would I run the same numbers on it or would I be better off with 10/12 cows and the bull? Thanks

I changed from setstocking a number of years back and immediately could up stocking rate by 20% for the exact same inputs.

I'd say keep the same numbers at least and cut bales with surplus grass grown. Next year you'll have a better idea about keeping extra numbers or use the extra silage(from grazing height, not silage height!) as a boost to stock when they come in or before selling from the shed. It's not far off grazed grass, tbh.

Panch18

Buford T. Justice V wrote: »

I changed from setstocking a number of years back and immediately could up stocking rate by 20% for the exact same inputs.

I'd say keep the same numbers at least and cut bales with surplus grass grown. Next year you'll have a better idea about keeping extra numbers or use the extra silage(from grazing height, not silage height!) as a boost to stock when they come in or before selling from the shed. It's not far off grazed grass, tbh.

Set Stocking can be a great way to get stock out of a shed and do as little damage as possible if the conditions aren't perfect.

We will often leave cattle off in most/every field and then mix them after a few weeks when weather is suitable and then are settled

We set stock some of our young cattle as well where we are looking to grow frame rather than flesh - they do very well on it

We tried it with factory cattle as well and it works great up until end of june and then they hit a wall and stop triving - they need a change at this stage

Sillycave

Panch18 wrote: »

Set Stocking can be a great way to get stock out of a shed and do as little damage as possible if the conditions aren't perfect.

We will often leave cattle off in most/every field and then mix them after a few weeks when weather is suitable and then are settled

We set stock some of our young cattle as well where we are looking to grow frame rather than flesh - they do very well on it

We tried it with factory cattle as well and it works great up until end of june and then they hit a wall and stop triving - they need a change at this stage

Would u find your young stock hitting a wall too and in June with set stocking?

I said

Paddocks,paddocks and more paddocks.pigtails and reels only way since I started doing it.Set stocking used to drive me bananas when trying to get cattle into the yard to dose or treat one of them.Now it's only a matter of moving a reel and they follow ya.Thrive is also way better.

memorystick

Going to strip graze for this year and then stick in paddocks. I have to shore first. Are 3-4 acre paddocks ok or should I go smaller? I can subdivide these for the dirt half of the season and then relax for the second half. I wouldn't be over dry but a good grass farm. Not able for too much poaching. Sound

Bass Reeves

Strip grazing is as bad if not worse than set stocking as cattle keep eating sweet regrowths. Even if you can split it into 3-4 divisions you will see a vast improvement in grass growth and in weight gain.

Buford T. Justice XIX

Bass Reeves wrote: »

Strip grazing is as bad if not worse than set stocking as cattle keep eating sweet regrowths. Even if you can split it into 3-4 divisions you will see a vast improvement in grass growth and in weight gain.

You need to back fence to keep animals off the regrowth. Prefer paddocks for that reason and divide in two.

Cavanjack

Is there a way of working out paddock sizes (can't seem to find one anywhere) for live weight per ha. Let's say 40 yearlings @400kg or 40 @550kg. what size paddock should they have to keep them going for 3 days. I'm sure there is a rough formula somewhere but can't seem to find it.

charolais0153

Cavanjack wrote: »

Is there a way of working out paddock sizes (can't seem to find one anywhere) for live weight per ha. Let's say 40 yearlings @400kg or 40 @550kg. what size paddock should they have to keep them going for 3 days. I'm sure there is a rough formula somewhere but can't seem to find it.

They (400kg yearlin )eat 2% of LW a day so that'd be 320kg of grass. You want to let them in at roughly a cover of 1500kg/ha so for them to last 3 days you'd want a field .64 ha or just over one and a half acres

patsy_mccabe

Another huge advantage with paddocks and temporary fencing is with sucklers, you have a quick get away if a cow with a new-born or even the bull start to attack. I had the odd mad cow here over the years and you always felt safer herding them from the other side of the white wire.
One man operation rounding them up also. Just run a line along the hedge about 10 meters out.

Westernrock

charolais0153 wrote: »

They (400kg yearlin )eat 2% of LW a day so that'd be 320kg of grass. You want to let them in at roughly a cover of 1500kg/ha so for them to last 3 days you'd want a field .64 ha or just over one and a half acres

Should it be 2% dry matter? So 40 400kg yearlings would want 320kg dry matter per day and 960 over the three days?

So they'd go in at cover of say 1500kg DM/ha and come off at around 500?

Just trying to get that straight in my head!

Thanks

charolais0153

Westernrock wrote: »

Should it be 2% dry matter? So 40 400kg yearlings would want 320kg dry matter per day and 960 over the three days?

So they'd go in at cover of say 1500kg DM/ha and come off at around 500?

Just trying to get that straight in my head!

Thanks

Ya they're going into a cover of 1500kg DM/ha but they're only getting .64 of a hectare ofit

Bass Reeves

Cavanjack wrote: »

Is there a way of working out paddock sizes (can't seem to find one anywhere) for live weight per ha. Let's say 40 yearlings @400kg or 40 @550kg. what size paddock should they have to keep them going for 3 days. I'm sure there is a rough formula somewhere but can't seem to find it.

I would not get two worried about paddock sizes being right. If you have existing paddocks or small fields move water trough so you can split it in at least two and if you can increase it to four all the better. You can always work the paddocks sizes afterwards depending on numbers.

freelander1991

40 yearlings x 400 KG = 16000 KG of live weight

16000 KG X 0.02% =320 KG/DM (Grass intake at 2% of live weight)

320 KG/DM = DAILY DEMAND

Say you have a 1 hectare field with a cover of 1600 KG DM / HA (8-10 cm grass height )

1600 KG DM / HA ÷ 10000m² = 0.16 KG/DM per m² ( 1 hectare = 10000 m² )

320 KG/DM ÷ 0.16 KG/DM per m² = 2000 m² ( area needed to be grazed )

So if you have a paddock that is 30m wide to get the length divide 2000m² area needed to be grazed by the 30m width of paddock.

2000÷30=66.66 meters ( length of paddock )

30m wide X 66.66M long = 2000m²

So the area required each day 10000m² ÷ 100% = 100 (1%)

2000÷ 100 = 20 % of 1 hectare (1/5 Hectare )

or in old money

2.48 ÷ 0.20 % = 0.496 of an acre ( 1/2 acre) ( 1 hectare = 2.48 Acres )

Cavanjack

Ah it's gone too technical for me now. Going to chance 50 yearlings on 7 paddocks of roughly 1.5 ha each if it ever dries up.

Robson99

Cavanjack wrote: »

Ah it's gone too technical for me now. Going to chance 50 yearlings on 7 paddocks of roughly 1.5 ha each if it ever dries up.

50 would be a lot on that area come August

Who2

Robson99 wrote: »

50 would be a lot on that area come August

Well fit for fifty, I run 50 cows on three acre paddocks for three days, no hassle. If they are out in less, what's the hassle it's when they take 5 or 6 days and are nipping the regrowth that you'll have the issue.

Cavanjack

Robson99 wrote: »

50 would be a lot on that area come August

About 15 of them are bulls which will be pulled out in July anyway so should be ok.

Robson99

Who2 wrote: »

Well fit for fifty, I run 50 cows on three acre paddocks for three days, no hassle. If they are out in less, what's the hassle it's when they take 5 or 6 days and are nipping the regrowth that you'll have the issue.

50 cows on how many acres??

Who2

Robson99 wrote: »

50 cows on how many acres??

3 acre paddocks, I said the same the first time too.

Robson99

Who2 wrote: »

3 acre paddocks, I said the same the first time too.

Can you not answer the question. Op said 7 x 1.5 HA. You haven't said his many paddocks EITHER time

Who2

Robson99 wrote: »

Can you not answer the question. Op said 7 x 1.5 HA. You haven't said his many paddocks EITHER time

To be honest I couldn't really be bothered to answer the question.