What to Do When the Grass Gets Ahead of You
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- What do you do when pasture grass growth gets ahead of your grazing? In our climate, it is too wet & cold to make dry hay until early June, and the grass always gets ahead of us, past prime grazing stage and pushing up seed heads. I present five options for what to do. The best one for you depends on your climate, herd, and growing conditions.
-We do not offer farm tours or accept visitors
-We do not sell from the farm
-We do not ship our farm's products
-We do not sell live animals
Mailing Address:
Just a Few Acres Farm
PO Box 269
Lansing, NY 14882
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We're new to pasture management. Our farm we bought had been cut for hay for years and not much was ever put back into it. So we shocked the neighbors who used to cut it by refusing to let them cut it anymore and instead started brush-hogging it, fertilizing it with manure and chicken litter and then brush-hogging it again. Then we started strip grazing our goats, sheep and now cows over it and took up just enough in hay ourselves to get through the winter while the herd was on pasture all winter, rising through what was left. We've repeated this for 3 years. The first pasture we started on is now so lush with grass that it doesn't even look like the same half bare weedy patch it was and we're getting most of the rain to absorb instead of run off like it did before. We're now working on the second pasture that was overgrown with dock, thistle and buttercup. I hand pulled thistle for 2 years 3x during the growing season and then walked every windrow when we cut our hay and pulled out the thistles that I had missed hand pulling. Ask that made a huge dent in the back half of the pasture being solid thistle. But we did choose to spray with 2-4D as 25 acres was too much for me to keep pulling it all and the dock & buttercup were spreading. We are now looking into ways to lime & fertilize 25 acres that are more affordable and don't require expensive equipment like we had to pay to use on the first pasture, since costs are going up and we don't have a lot of our own equipment. Before we got this farm, I didn't know how much I had to learn about grass. Videos like this are so very helpful. Thank you :-)
That is an excellent success story! Thanks for sharing it.
your information is going a long way, even to us " regenerative farmers" and "permaculturalist" Peter . This one stands out! thank you.
Hi Pete. I always enjoy your videos. At 73, I am probably in your father's generation. I haven't done much with my little 20 acre farm, for a few years, but I would like to get back into farming, just for the fun of it. So please keep the good videos coming. I learn some good farming practices, for when I do get back into "fun " farming. Thank you again.
Great information!!!! Most people driving by see cows in a field and never realize the logistics behind what they see!!! Best wishes for good weather to keep your fields producing!!! Stay safe!!
Watching the clearly happy cows, bucking and getting excited and running onto the new field is my favorite part of these videos.
Absolutely excellent explanation! You are growing soil! We have dairy goats. Not enough to keep the growth down in spring but too many for the fields when our cool weather grasses slow in mid summer. So we rotational graze and mow once at high at boot or early bloom stage. This puts plenty of organic matter on the ground, but not enough to choke the grasses. Each year the grasses are thicker and healthy with no added nutrients. Grazing is indeed an art!
Me in southern Nevada desert jealous because your grass grows at an annoying rate and mine I grow like I do a garden 😂 Grass even turning green is work here
Great job. We need to keep the natural order of things going as much as possible!
Great tutorial Mr. Pete! The bottom line is figure out what works best on your farm and go with it. Any thing on the grill today???
Thick pork chops today!
@@JustaFewAcresFarm I like it! 🐖
You are such a smart farmer! Thanks for caring about the environment too, by not wasting plastic if you don't need to. We see many of those "marshmallow " farms nearby here in lower NY state. It is a waste (but they do make me laugh because they really do look like giant marshmallows :D )
Using one of the five examples you talked about will give you the quality of beef a person looks for when purchasing meat for the freezer. This is another reason to purchase from local farmers, you're going to get the best tasting, highest quality beef around. This is true with poultry and pork, also. Good video, Pete.
As always Pete ,really enjoy all your videos..thank you.
Always a lot of great information! Your approach to farming makes total sense to me. For years, when I was younger, farmers did nothing to manage pastures. The cattle or hogs or sheep or chickens were just turned out on a "pasture" area and stayed there the whole grazing time, to the point that the "pasture" soon became a basic wasteland of no grass. You want good feed, quality feed, at all stages of the animals growth. I think your approach gives that. Years ago you had to keep the area under the wire clean and not let anything touch. Is that not the case now? The best to you and Hillary❤.
I'm from just outside of Watertown, NY. Seeing your farm and its luscious grass reminds me of home and my grandpas farm growing up.
I live in Florida now and I'm always telling my wife how much more thick and soft the grass was back home.
Love your channel. We're looking into finally buying some land (if the market drops) and using it as farmland to get the USDA advantage. I can't wait to get back to my roots.
And it wasn't full of fire ants! 😁
New grass, new video. Muuu and thanks!
Farming sure is an Art Pete and from what I've seen you are the "Whistler" of farming and besides I just love your Philosophy on farming and life too.
Thanks for this Pete I learn something every time I watch you .
We had such cold temps, it stalled everything out. The soybeans I custom planted for other farms sat in the ground 2 weeks prior to emergence, but I did some scouting today and everything looks great.
I’m just not going to get my own crops in until the 1st week of June, it’s the way it is. We would normally have put up some haylage, but it’s just not going to happen. Sometimes you have to force yourself to sticking with what’s best for soil development. If it costs me some this year, it’s to prevent an overdraft in the future. I’m going to let the tonnage of my fertility package develop. It is what it is. It’s regenerative agriculture my friend!
You are really therapeutic to watch Pete. Thank you.
My main complaint with balayage is that my neighbor dairy farmer doesn't clean up very well and on windy days my fields end up with shredded plastic from his bales. That plastic gums up a haybine in a second if you don't catch the plastic.
Great to see the MSU shirt. Very appropriate to wear when discussing agricultural topics, as we were the first land grant university and a big ag school. It is amazing how complicated grazing is. If you could only predict the weather.
A couple of my farm's are suffering through our very wet weather in Australia , last flood lost 200 head of cattle all the pigs and 2500 sheep not to mention the crops and it still hasn't finished but you push on and control that which you can control.
Wow Peter, that is a huge loss. Best of luck.
i grow veggies and i'm always learning new things. i now have cows as well and the learning continues. it's something different every year and i LOVE it !!
Always cracks me up seeing the cows follow Pete. Really enjoy learning the mechanics of farming. The many challenges and unknowns keep it interesting for you and your viewers
Your dexters look so happy to be at that grass buffet.
Very thought provoking. Most people don’t realize that farmers have to know so much.
My daughter (2yrs old) and I just "clamped" down on our cows paddock size to deal with this exact issue this morning. We will see how moving every other day goes. It was her idea. Luckily Pete agreed or we would have to go fix it.
Very interesting discussion. I remember the old question, "why bother with second/third cuttings"...and answered by "what's left in the haymow" in March. Always an educated crap shoot. Have a great haymaking week.
Dear Pete, thank you so much for your very good videos. Have a great day. With kind regards Torben Gram from Denmark
You have one spoiled batch of cows on your hands. It cracks me up to hear them tell you to get a move on!
The UPPER MANAGEMENT (Patty and the board of directors! 😄) is saying hey buddy pick up the pace!
I believe you just explained why most farming communities have at lease 1 church & 1 bar in town. The church is there to pray that you have done the right thing & the bar is there so you can have a few drinks so you can stop worrying if you did the right thing. You said it can be overwhelming if you're new at raising cattle. Well I'm here to tell you is pretty overwhelming for this guy that has never owned or plans to own a cow. Good luck & thanks for taking us with you on your farming. Now let's go to the bar I'm buying 1st round.
Thank you so much for all your great input on things. Your always very thorough and that's greatly appreciated
Another great informative video! My daughter and I really appreciate your "old time" methods in a fast paced world! Thanks again!
@@mwilliamshs let's think about this. Farming 70s style like he does compared to modern farming. It's pretty simple
If you don't get it just move along and troll someone else
@@mwilliamshs I apologize, I grew uo on a 80 cow dairy where u moved slower and enjoyed the whole farm life, now a days it's only about money and to watch Pete still operate and succeed under the "old ways" is amazing.
Yes beef eggs chicken and pork is life but it's great they get a good life and are respected and loved
@@mwilliamshs to me it means money over respect and quality of life. Yes they are our food, but they deserve respect and a happy life until that point
When I was less than 5 years old, we had 2 cocker spaniels named Rusty and Peanut. Good information again Pete. Thanks
It's good you're always trying to educate. I've been sending links or advising small homesteaders that I watch (some just starting out) to look into your videos since you give some good tips and are trying to teach whether it's about cattle, pigs or chickens.
This is the best, clearest discussion of grazing that I have found yet! I am getting sheep soon and was feeling overwhelmed reading books and articles but after hanging on every word of your video I think I can do it. Thank you!
Please be aware that the principles that Pete has outlined still broadly apply to grazing for sheep but they eat grass quite differently (nibbling action close to the soil) and strongly prefer much shorter grass length to graze. This will likely result in a need to take areas out of grazing to make hay or baleage regularly through the summer and into Autumn (depending on the weather). An alternative that might help is to what we call "topping the grass pasture" with a rotary mower that can mow and leave a long stubble (4-6inches).
This slows down the plant from heading out and keeps the pasture "short" and encourages new grass shoots to develop. Given time (2 -5 Years) you will observe a change in the type of grasses growing in your pasture as it changes to shorter forage length and much more dense growth pattern to suit the management you are using.
Note: one side effect of this change of grass species is that any sheep grazing pastures left to produce hay will not normally produce the same tonnage of grass for winter feed as hay or some form of silage compared to a pasture normally grazed by cattle.
Love the way you explain the why's and how's in everything you are trying to do. Enjoy all the video's you put out. Educational and very entertaining. You have a good day Sir and thanks...
I have to chuckle every time these cows holler. It is so funny and the best part is I am smiling!
I am with u pete really said when go by farms and see plastic everywhere to much pollution for this guy!thanks Pete!👍👍👍
Buenos dias my friend's!!! Happy Sunday
Same
Go Michigan State Spartans. Born and race not too far from there about 20 miles.
Nice shirt Pete GO GREEN
I had no Idea there were so many options and that the weather is a huge factor but with all your research and knowledge how could you make a wrong a decision I really enjoy your videos thank you Pete for all your information have a wonderful Sunday ( favorite part C"ome on Cows)!!!!!
Thanks for your patient, in depth explanations.
I love watching your videos you give alot of good and useful information.Keep it up. good luck!!!!!
We are only 3.5 hours west of you in Jamestown, NY. We know all about NY weather in the spring.. lol. Love your channel
Hey Pete, the "IH SCOUT" is coming back, only it's going to be electric. Check out the resent videos on RUclips,
Pete, always a pleasure to "be on the farm" with you and your bride. When your travels make your way to Alaska, the welcome mat and coffee is ALWAYS ready for you.
I really enjoy these videos. The world needs more of you Pete
Thanks so much Pete. My partner and I purchased 72 acres in March and are trying to educate ourselves as much as possible throughout this year to be prepared for next year when we get some cattle. Appreciate your detailed sharing of knowledge!
Great video, Pete, and very informative. I love the "art" involved with farming and the "well, let's try this next time" aspects greatly appeal to me as a future farmer. Steve
God bless the farmers.
Pete The (cow) Piper. It's great watching the cows follow you through the fields.
I'm flabbergasted by the amount of knowledge that goes into farming. A knowledge, once lost, might cost us dearly as humanity.
Happy beasties. Nice to see the kids coming to visit and check you out.
Great video Pete 🚜
Go Green!!. Michigan State University was formerly Michigan Agricultural Collage (hence the green color) and has an excellent College of Ag. & Natural resources, not to mention a great Veterinarian school.
Thank you for the video. We grazed our dairy cows but only used the paddock for pasture for as long as can remmber. Turn the cows on a day pasture and then a night pasture.
🐼 Big Bear Hugs from a 68 yr old grandma in Kirby, Texas, USA 🐼 ❤ 🎀 ❤
I haven't seen anyone have so much fun, and enjoy time with the Cows, as you do! Good for you -
You're a good teacher.
I just LOVE your happy cows! Bev in Maine
HI Pete, from NZ. Thanks for taking us through pasture school! Have you thought of having Farm field days and Farm Seminars? Great video. I think I can apply this wisdom to other animals also!
So good to see Peanut running in the pasture with the others. 🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄🐚
Pete.
We love the jokes. Keep’m in.
Hi Pete, very interesting video. I can understand what you are doing. It’s a challenge in projecting the future based on history. Kind of scary because you cannot control the future totally. Like you said the more you understand to deal with the unknown the better you get at projecting the unknown. One of my many past jobs was helping clients to do budget and forecasting for their respective businesses. This was the art part you talk about, very exciting, being able to determine the future with some level of reliability. Take care Pete and have a great day.
I love how they follow you then you trying to jump on a horse and push them into the direction you want them to go. Enjoy your video's trying to catch up on your older ones.
Another video packed full of good information. I'm always learning new things from your videos..👍
grass, grass - happy dance!
Pete, I’ve had two neck surgeries. I’ll save the details for brevity. My head and neck now have a mind of their own, seemingly; and they’re stuck where they were left by surgeons. I suffer a great deal daily. Thus, I spend a good part of my day watching you (and others I who put out trustworthy content) and reading. Your thumbnail today shows Hillary with what indicates that she might be suffering as do I. My hopes and wishes are with her, if she’s pained up like I am. However, I see that you don’t mess with her too much. She seems kind, but tough, too. Thanks for your vids, both of you. Much love.
Like the Allen Savory system!
Again, thank you for your wisdom
I wish we had more land to raise dexters on... you really make me want to raise them! so much information you provide... your videos are extremely educational... and entertaining... love the dad jokes!
Darn! I saw the MSU shirt on this second viewed video of yours, thinking that maybe your farm market you go to might be within my travels, but alas, there is a Lansing in NY as well as an an Ithaca (of course). Just a want-to-be here practicing soil regenerative methods on my wildlife and hunting recreational property and a nearly lifetime gardener growing what we can, if you get the pun.
So far, I'm enjoying the content. Thanks for sharing.
Hello Pete, Love your explanation of 5 ways to graze. I'm in my second year of hobby farming with sheep, chickens, and 1 Jersey cow. I really appreciate your videos on grass, pasture chicken, all the nuts and bolts of farming you have been working on for years. Sharing your experience helps me to understand and do a better job. Thanks so much!
Happy 🐄, GoOD On !!!
Lots of options. Who knew grass height was so important? Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
We have 2-4 acre pastures that we rotate. We typically just let the trample happen in the spring and clip the grass/weed off and let it lay. Sometimes if a pasture gets really tall and nice we make hay but not often we do that.
Be thankful for your weather you could be where I am so hot and humid it's hard to breath sometime ha ha
Great video, on a farm, problems always pop up unexpectedly.
Hello Pete and Hillary looks like your having fun and that's the most important. Have a great day.
You are a real farm boy Pete I love listening to you .
I always learn something new as I watch your videos. Thank you!
And I like how your cows love you.
I work in recycling thank you for your plastic conscience not much of it gets recycled.
Thank you for the hay lesson!
I hope to be bailing my own hay one day. Love your videos. Its a great break from negativity and everything else on the internet.
Very much agree about the conscience burden of balage plastic. I think most round here have managed expectations about hay quality.
You have a great day too Pete.
Another informative video! Thank you!
What no dad joke today 😢
But great video over all.
Love the Michigan State shirt. Graduated in 1986 with an Ag Econ degree. Really enjoy your channel. Love the lifestyle you’re living.
Learned alot ! Go Spartans.
So enjoy your videos!!❤
Thanks for describing the options and more importantly the thought process behind them.
Love your MSU SHIRT. First time I’ve seen it.
Why they're hopping around when moved its cute.
Very informative Vlog Pete & Hillary... Thank You for sharing...
GBY BOTH ALWAYS 🙏❤️💙🤗✝️
You do a few things the "Pete Method", but for the most part we're a lot alike. I do very little, VERY, without good reason. Pros and cons and planning. I'm not what you'd call impulsive to say the least. I'll never grow hay or cattle but I love learning. And you explain things extremely well. The grass growing seems to be the least of your worries.
What a great video. I would love to talk to you more indepth. I have decided to turn my crop land into pasture and get cattle. I have to say for several reasons. You being one. I'm really nervous about what type of cattle and paddock size etc. I have to get equipment to hay. I have a tractor and some basic stuff. I'm really concerned about growth [pasture] and cattle herd size. I'm planning on 12 to start with 40 acres being converted. My 13 year old is very excited, main reason and hopes of sales. Thank you always Pete for the information. I will need all the help I can get.
Love all your detail and knowledge! I remember. Your house renovation and it seems you always know what to do! 👌👌
Thank you Pete, Great overview.