Greg Judy discusses his methods of turning cropped fields into lush pasture

It is not an easy feat to take previously cropped land and convert it into a lush pasture. This video shows that steps it takes. For more grazing info go to greenpasturesfarm.net

[@africanhomestead]

Another great video, Greg! I’m the guy that interviewed you at Heifer Ranch during your recent regenerative grazing workshop. I noticed that on the land I cleared in Liberia, where there was once dense (impenetrable) 12 ft. bush, as soon as the sun hit the ground again, grass started germinating and growing everywhere! This is ground that hadn’t seen much light in a long time was soon covered in grass. I’m planning to keep sheep and goats rotating on it until the trees, bushes and scrub give up and let the grass take over. Then I plan to get some forest muturu cattle established and rotating. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your willingness to share your experience and wisdom on KZbin!

[@Tate.TopG.]

The for the videos. Great job

[@adolthitler]

If you have enough grass start running a few cows with the sheep and goats. Variety will help the soil and the grass.

[@karenbarger6642]

The African Homestead So interesting to hear from another country/environment ...I hope you post more on your progress! Good luck to you(-:

[@mx500a4]

I have learned more from you in just a few videos than I have in 2 years asking my neighbors. I just started farming so this is all new to me.

[@thatkarelguy]

God.... these cows look so healthy. I’ve seen Greg’s stuff for years and every time... amazing

[@Amaranthian450]

The last two videos have seemed to be made just for me... thanks a lot for answering my questions with videos. I really want to move to the regenerative practices with my herd. I run about 100 pairs so that’s a good amount to do some trampling I believe. Thanks green pastures farm!

[@kevinschwab521]

Mr Greg Thank you for all the great info Sir

[@timadams2042]

Nice looking cattle Greg. Very content looking. Bet it makes you feel the same way!

[@emilmoldovan1789]

Absoluty amazing this field, and your cows look fantastic!!!!

[@jhuelsmann9430]

Thanks for sharing you hard learned knowledge on raising grass fed cattle. I hope more people follow your example, and that one day I might too.

[@brentonjoseph1913]

Thanks for the Video Greg. Lovely cattle you got there. Amazing how the pasture is so full of life. Fat cows are good cows!

[@johnrambo2473]

Folks I would have to agree. Those are some beautiful cows.

[@gmoac]

beautiful mr Judy. Congrats from Argentina

[@VCOOGAN]

Beautiful animals! God bless the farmers!!

[@IceLynne]

That's some beautiful animals! Fantastic field and a pleasure to see.

[@chelemichele1524]

Beautiful animals.. Have a wonderful tomorrow 🌻🌻🌻

[@robertkrysiak1207]

those Cows are real beauties!!!

[@LOVEisTHEultimateLAW]

greg blow my mind each video, thank you very much

[@megsmith3526]

Your videos are so practical! Thank for showing us what to look for, for reminding us to be patient 😀 (so hard). We for some reason need to hear you say, move your cows, and don’t let them over graze over and over and over! We have 31 cows and bad soil, bad pasture. It gets discouraging some days to move them so much and still have to be paying for lots of hay. I can hardly wait to see green pastures like yours! Thank you for teaching so we’ll!

[@lanceklessigregenerativeag7901]

As always, awesome video! I love the type/frame/gut fill on your cows! Super Efficient and profitable mommas that defy what the industry says we need to have (1500# or greater) brood cows that are fed lots of hay or supplements. Way to Greg and thanks for sharing! Sure appreciate how you lead by example.

[@willieclark2256]

Every time I start thinking to myself "I really need to get rid of this thing" I try to remind myself of you saying 'Manage for what you want, manage for grass'

[@EightJane]

Gorgeous looking cows. This is such a great video

[@mdsloads]

I’d admire you. You have a very healthy herd and wish I had the resources to do the same.

[@servihomestead4324]

This is great and encouraging information. I only take medicine for myself when I really really need to, and I'd like to raise our goats and sheep the same way.

[@ninjabeatz905]

Those cows are awesome, they know where the best of the crop is

[@manny-perez]

Great video and as usual a wonderful education!

[@pudendajohnson1932]

Your cows look great. They look nice and healthy. Good job.

[@PaulaJoDavis]

WOW! Those ARE some fat cows! I'm very impressed with your management systems and your overall knowledge of how to raise fat cows! Thanks so much for sharing with all of us! Blessings from Louisiana, Missouri!

[@NS-pf2zc]

My cows loved giant ragweed! One time I put them in a super weedy paddock with 6 ft giant ragweed, and they went for that first! When they left it was mostly all trampled or grazed.

[@wallstreethomestead5979]

Hello. Beautiful livestock! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. 😁

[@oldmango8606]

well done and done well.....again

[@triciahill216]

How did the fescue seed that competed with the weeds and grew in get in the soil? Thank you in advance, Greg.

[@marioherrera945]

Blessings Greg I love watching your videos With pastures like yours for 25 bovine What size of paddocks you would recommend

[@triciahill216]

Good Morning Greg - History of conversion field: Corn taken off in fall of 2021, shredded corn stalks spring 2022, grazed weeds late summer 2022, mowed what was left after cattle grazed in early fall 2022, rolled out hay (with GJBU) winter ‘22/‘23, broadcast spread clover seed March ‘23, and cattle came off early April 2023. Currently, grass and weeds are shooting up in residual hay (turned mulch) swathes where hay had been unrolled. Questions: 1) How mature would you suggestion we let the new growth under the swathes of mulch get before grazing it? 2) Does it much matter if we put the cattle or sheep on it first? (The areas of the field that were not covered with rolled out hay are very weedy.) Thank you.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

I would put cattle on it first. Make sure the ground is dry enough to graze it. Old crop land being converted to grass takes awhile to get good sod under it to hold up cows.

[@triciahill216]

Hi Greg - Update on cropland conversion pasture: The clover seed we broadcast in March has taken and some of which is going to seed. However, some of the clover leaves have a white color to them. A quick Google search yielded the possibility that the white leaves are an indication of a fungi, Powdery Mildew. (We did use an organic clover seed, which wasn’t treated with a fungicide.) Questions: 1) Is this safe to graze our cattle and sheep on? 2) Should anything be done to treat the clover? 3) Will this condition cure itself? 4) Any other suggestions? Thank very much for any help you can provide!

[@JohnMarsing]

"80% of the cost in running cattle is in the hay" wow, didn't know that

[@chiefetwful]

I need some advice regarding a field full of grass burs and how to get rid of them without spraying chemicals.

[@yeahok2790]

Mow before they seed and keep it mowed. It’ll die out.

[@gmathis4829]

Maybe I'm a Smidge bit Biased, but the Shorthorns in there look best. So many memories of visiting Central Missouri, and the Sneed Family and their Shorthorns.

[@jonstevensmaplegrovefarms3754]

on current cash flows on row crops not hard to convert acres back to grass land. 4 months of letting plants grow and the plants and soil do there thing its unreal how fast our soil can heal!! I can see less row crop acres every year as the herd grows. also replacing bean acres with cereal crops brings a lot of options back to the farm.

[@tracygarns9611]

Beautiful grass and cattle! Do you know of anyone here in Pa. who is stockpiling grass for winter successfully? I don't know how our humidity compares with yours. Does high humidity affect the ability to keep high quality grass?

[@neverdonehomestead3596]

Check out Shawn and Beth Dougherty: onecowrevolution.wordpress.com/ . They are stock piling and grazing year round in eastern Ohio.

[@anthonyc362]

Just got word that my Sonoma county cow is ready. The cow will go to the local abattoir soon. The cow has eaten nothing but grass a some hay, nothing else. So excited! I've been ruined after eating grass fed pasture raised. Corn fed just isn't the same.

[@Ariel-xz8lg]

Those are the most beautiful cattle I have ever seen. I just love hearing you talk about them. If we wanted to be sure to have the forage that they need to keep healthy, what would we plant? I also heard Chicory was good for a natural wormer..your thoughts?

[@evanyoung952]

As Greg stated in the video, you don't need to plant anything. Rotate the cattle and allow an adequate recovery period for your climate and species, nature does the rest

[@jasonroach1000]

Lol

[@heartlandHeritageFarm]

Thanks my friend

[@danielshomestead7236]

How long do you let your pasture set after grazing?? Thank you for all the information you share!!

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

It all depends on rainfall and regrowth. Fast growth = fast moves, slow growth = slower moves.

[@CliffsideStables]

I’m not sure Greg if you’ve already done a video but if you haven’t would you film the ear tagging process you use. Thanks, Tim @ Cliffside Acres

[@elizabethhestevold1340]

Beautiful ❤️🇺🇸 🇩🇰 Remind me off my childhood.

[@billiepayne9026]

We just purchased acreage that was previously soybeans. The ground is so soft and squishy right now. What should we do first to get it ready for cows? It’s February in North MS. Some days are sunny and warm, the next day is cold and raining.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Once the ground gets firm, drill some cover crops on it for grazing this year. Plant your permanent grass species in early fall. No clover, come back in February and broadcast clover over the top of new seeding.

[@triciahill216]

@@gregjudyregenerativerancherIf money is tight, could letting the field go to weeds over the growing season and then rolling out hay for the cattle to graze over winter also work? We don’t have our old cornfield in fence yet and are wondering if we should try stay a head of the weed seeds by mowing until we get the field fenced? Thank you.

[@triciahill216]

Hi Greg - Will corn stalk trash rot down and the land level off if we graze cattle (with rolled out hay) on a harvested corn field. Or, would you recommend disking down the the corn stalks and then grazing the cattle on rolled out hay? Thank you in advance.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Yes the corn will decompose into the soil. Feeding hay on top of it will speed it up.

[@glockky1]

How are you dealing with broom sedge on overgrazed pasture with low ph?

[@brandonkrause6401]

feed hay on it lol

[@grassfeeding6073]

Broomsedge is decent feed if you graze it when it's green and vegetative. Can't speak for Greg, but I look at my base saturation before I worry about pH. If your base saturation is out of whack you'll see it in the pH, as it's more of a symptom than something to address directly. Lime is a cheap option if you need the calcium, but overuse can cause an issue.

[@brandonkrause6401]

@@grassfeeding6073 I agree. You might need a little lime and potash to get your base saturation a little more in line. Especially if your potassium is extremely low you will see that many plants will not do well until at least the organic matter content is raised or the chemistry is adjusted. but spending money on lime and potash will put you in the hole quick and you might find it hard to get that money back.

[@grassfeeding6073]

@@brandonkrause6401 I agree, not a cheap option to fix depleted soils. Sometimes it makes sense to do so, sometimes it doesn't. Importing nutrients through purchased feed is a very good option if you need the feed anyway.

[@NickShay]

Do you rotate through your entire footprint all winter? How high is the grass by the time it starts growing again? Do you allow the cattle to graze it down throughout the winter before you supply hay?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

We rotate through all farms twice during the winter. This is extremely helpful in keeping your animals healthy and out of the mud.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

What a beautiful herd. Your management is very impressive. What ratio of bulls to cows do you use?

[@boslaton7521]

Very Informative

[@leelindsay5618]

Not even in my potted plants do I have bare soil. I've been trying to express to my neighbors that the bare soil is part of their problem. Even in suburban lawns, they don't need to be de-thatched, they need better microbes and more worms (less chemicals).

[@Ceodayone]

Do you ever seed your pastures with an assortment to make a salad bar?

[@TheMacs1]

What breed of most of this stock is these cows?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

South Poll cattle breed

[@TheMacs1]

Thanks!

[@edieboudreau9637]

All good to know.

[@blacktranch]

On how many total acres do you run how many cows? I’m just south east of OKC and am interested learning more about this type of land management. We run 1000 cows so it must be feasible on a larger scale. My ears are definitely perked up listening to you talk about how you manage your land.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

I have a bull customer in Southern Texas that came to our spring grazing school that is using our methods with 2000 cows in one herd. His results are great. My friend Ian Mitchell Inness from South Africa has grazed 4000 cows in one mob with extreme success. Ian and I will be teaching a grazing school at our farm in Missouri on May 7-9th.

[@tolbaszy8067]

Greg, you need a drone! The close ups are OK for a few seconds, but the extended head high flyovers are nauseating! Great content, as usual! Thanks!

[@julisteck9548]

Greg, have you considered the benefits of planting diverse native grass species on bare ground? See Hamilton Native Outpost FB and website for info on this. Also on Kyle Vickers show. video.kmos.org/video/native-plants-wvb0o0/

[@johnmirbach2338]

how long do you keep your cows as far as breeders are concerned ??? 🤔

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

As long as they breed back and give us a good calf

[@johnmirbach2338]

@@gregjudyregenerativerancher thanks✌😎

[@danbusse4089]

Greg, What do you do about areas in the pasture that get too many weeds? I have areas that are being over run with Foxtail grass or Horse Nettle. I put the sheep on those areas, but they avoid them, and it gets worse the next year. Do I need to mow those areas, or what? Thanks

[@foseninfo3585]

Just clip them one time when the foxtale gets unpallatable. Cut nettle down when needed.

[@foseninfo8954]

@@foseninfo3585 After some reading: horse nettle could be beneficial for animals.

[@miguelmcwilliams7015]

What is on their back? @ 5:51 @6:19 @ 6:30 , something tells me it's not cotton oil from an ultrasound.

[@RichBurris2]

How much plant seed is transferred between pastures through the poo?? Would some plant variation come that way?

[@foseninfo3585]

None, a bit trough hooves.

[@annwithaplan9766]

Love watching the vids. Shared on Pinterest, too. : )

[@updownandallaround]

Greg, in your opinion, would the South Poll genetics do well in Northeast Indiana (Zones 6a/5b)?

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

I would make sure that the South Polls you buy had the ability to grow hair in the winter time. We have sold bulls and cows into Minnesota with no problem, but I made sure that they has the Gene's to grow a bit of hair. Some South Polls are very slick hides and will not grow enough hair in the winter for colder northern states. A good breeder should be able to pick out the right ones for your area.

[@updownandallaround]

Greg Judy Regenerative Rancher - Greg, thank you for the reply, much appreciated!

[@thelordschurchfarmandranch6694]

How many adults do you run on this one farm

[@Winterascent]

Grain for flavor!? What!? Grain feed beef is what has no flavor. It's the grass fed stuff that gives you the rich beefy flavor.

[@Russells2323]

Watching cows graze is therapeutic.

[@downbntout]

What are Happy lines?

[@jmortsail]

Something about the way you talk reminds me of Bob Ross

[@brendachisholm2325]

What kind of grass is that?

[@foseninfo3585]

Guess fesque.

[@cherryfarms2135]

I don’t buy that they kill the weeds. I would like to see a result of grazing weeds. Nice looking cattle!

[@jayunruh6694]

Why do you leave your calves bulls?

[@foseninfo3585]

He dont.

[@rexmoody8203]

What breed are your cows

[@foseninfo3585]

South poll.

[@chiledoug]

I guess it is the breed but that pasture wow I used to live right up the road..wish I still lived there..I know where I would get my beef and lamb

[@edhuber3557]

I'm puzzled. Crop ground conversion to pasture... looks at least Class3 & too flat for HEL (so not some CRP graze out deal for landowner). You said 'got control of', so I'm guessing it's a cash rental...so maybe landowner turned ~$125-150/ac crop rental down for pasture rates? As owner, I get $30-40/ac yearly for pasture or hay ground up by Grundy/Mercer (& I pay for posts/wire, and N2 every ~5years for hay ground) …. are you giving over $125/ac rental rate for grass? I can't believe keep-em-moving intensive graze gives such a differential. What is your cow/acre grazing rate? Guess I don't get it.

[@gregjudyregenerativerancher]

Landowner was sick of his land being destroyed by cropping it. There were erosion ditches that you could drop an atv in. The fields soil was dead from all the years of chemicals being applied to it. Today it is a beautiful diverse field that is full of soil life and I have an ecstatic land owner. Sometimes money is not everything, especially when your land is being destroyed to get it.

[@abusadoruci]

What breed is this herd?

[@andreafalconiero9089]

South Poll cattle, mostly.

[@johnmirbach2338]

😁👍👌✌🖖😎

Please show photos of the MEAT! Pleaaaaaase. :)

[@martysaskatchewan740]

You should check out Jim Elizondo..non-selective intensive grazing. His stocking rates are unheard of..so are his net profits! That aside...you've done a phenomenal job ! High fives! I run my cattle the same way..natural ..no needles no grain no worries!

[@davidhickenbottom6574]

You might not feed hay this year.

[@brandonkrause6401]

Thos are some big cows on grass XD

[@jackpage8831]

Anyone who says cattle need to be grain fed isn’t worth talking to

[@wendyscott8425]

I recently went to a restaurant where the waiter bragged that the beef there was grass-fed, but I looked up Harris Ranch online, where he said the beef came from, and the website bragged about how they had invented the process of grass feeding and then grain finishing. I ordered a filet mignon, and though it was tender, it didn't have much taste. I've been buying grass-fed beef at Trader Joe's (along with milk and yogurt from grass-fed cows and pasture-raised eggs), and it's pretty tasty and only a little more expensive than the other beef products.

[@davidhickenbottom6574]

I was watching another channel the other day and they were going to look at some grass-fed beef in North Carolina the farmer was a great guy but he didn't have slick hided cattle flies are all over those dudes

[@JohnMarsing]

Leviticus 25... 1 And the LORD spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD. 3 Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; 4 But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard.

[@Ariel-xz8lg]

I did that thinking I was in obedience...My lot grew back alright, weeds, thistles, briars, some creeping thing plant to the point that I gave up. I did not have the tools or machinery to try to get it under control again. My lot is 95% useless..

[@1charlastar886]

@@Ariel-xz8lg Put in hogs or goats. They will clear it for you. Hogs root out brambles by the roots. Goats like much more weeds than grass.

[@gregmf9427]

Your cough is quite concerning. You should have it checked out. Sounds like a familiar lung issue

[@troypuckett5502]

Cattle look great. Fat, fat, fat.