I rotated my small herd to fresh grass today. Here are some pictures from the paddock change. We have been very fortunate in Wisconsin with rains this year so far. The rotational grazing also really seems to be increasing my carrying capacity. I don't know if it is mostly the weather this year or pastures responding to a few years of this...probably a combination.

Temperature was about 90 today but heat index was over 100. One thing I like about Herefords is they don't let a little heat stop them when they see some good grass.

picture 1: Coming out of the shade thru the gate when I called them.

picture 2: Getting into it.

picture 3: I like aggressive grazing cows.

picture 4: Even the calves get into the grazing.

picture 5: Calves in the fresh grass.

picture 6: My bull T-21 with his head down as usual.

picture 7: A new Tundra heifer I bought out of ND and was concerned about earlier this spring is really getting with the grazing program. I am looking forward to seeing her T-21 calf next spring. Will be T-21's first registered calf. She still hasn't quite slicked up like most of the others but she is getting there.

picture 8: A before (foreground) and after (on the other side of the gates and fence) of about 75-80 Cow-Days/acre grazing. There is about 3 or 4" of grass left in most areas of the paddock they are leaving. This should be enough for the grass to come back strong, This just finished their  second time thru this paddock.

I will run the mower over the paddock in the background tomorrow (have to change the mower gearbox when the sun sets tonight) to control the weeds. But not as much weed pressure as there has been in that paddock due to earlier mowing. A quick run over should help keep the ones that are there from going to seed.

I think with the Wisconsin grass this season the calves should wean as heavy or heavier this year than last.

FWIW. Jim at Dawn

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