Pasture Rotation for a small Dexter Herd

We've got 4 cows and 7 acres for grazing and hay. It doesn't quite feed year round (we buy 1-2 tons) but here is how we try to get the most out of our grazing using hard and temporary electric fences.

[@alittlesouthwindfarm3074]

Just got a Dexter and glad to see current videos of family who has them!

[@adixranch2023]

What a great family! Love your Lil farmer! Lol. We just purchased Dexter cattle and well! Love them!!!

[@AaricHale]

You guys got a really nice farm !

[@cozycowfarm]

Thanks. We really love it here.

[@AaricHale]

@@cozycowfarm What state are you in ? Were in Indiana .

[@cozycowfarm]

@@AaricHale In Washington State. Unfortunately for the pastures, we are on the dry side of the mountains

[@TheCajunHomestead]

Great video, really enjoyed. Hoping to get some cows back on the old homestead in the next couple years ,

[@cozycowfarm]

Good luck as you work to bring in some cows! Are there any specific breeds you have in mind? And do you hope to primarily raise beef? or to milk?

[@TheCajunHomestead]

Raise the beef to eat, the Black Angus is a very poplar bred down here, they handle the heat real well.

[@anna-koenimitlivogallehend9107]

Lovely video, I also chose Dexter as my first cattle.

[@Spiked2005]

Looks like the rotation needs to be quicker, the grass height in the video looks very short, delaying a quicker recovery time. Thanks for the video

[@cozycowfarm]

You are right for a quicker rotation being ideal! For us, within our climate, regrowth is not the primary goal but decreasing weeds (which our cows will not eat unless there is no other option). We do not get substantial regrowth at any point in the season (this year we had essentially no rain from April through August and with no rain, you get no growth). Since this video we've increased rotation rate to try to aid pasture health.

[@SCc8154]

Thanks for the info, very helpful video! I am curious why I have always heard you need one acre for each full size cow or a half acre for a dexter, mini Hereford, or mini Jersey. Why does everyone say that? I'm glad I saw this video because I am currently looking to buy land with the intentions of putting 6 or 7 Dexters on 5 to 10 acres. I guess I need to rethink this.

[@cozycowfarm]

It is highly dependent upon where you live. If you contact your local ag agent extension office they often can advise you on how many lbs of cattle can be supported in your region. We live in an arid region, and we get spring growth but it doesn't rain much after early to mid June and doesn't start raining again until end of August or September. So, we have virtually no summer growth (without supplemental watering...and no water-rights...and don't want to use our well for that anyway). Our annual rainfall is at 20"/year.

[@cozycowfarm]

We also hay off our fields to support them during the winter. So...our current setup--haying and pasture...makes it so we can probably support 2-3 (with one being a calf)...currently we have 6 and one on the way, but soon will butcher our first steer.

[@SCc8154]

Thank you for the response. I live in Tennessee in an area that gets around 55 inches of rain. Only a few inches of snow but usually plenty of rain. I need to do more research for my area. But thanks again for the great information.

[@cozycowfarm]

Sounds like optimal cow territory. Ask local farmers which months they need to supplement with hay. Should give you an idea for how you may want to rotate pasture. If you have paddocks next to each other you can have a central water trough and rotate pastures easily.

[@marklepage4334]

I ve done that before forget to close gate always makes it fun nice little farm

[@BuckInfinidy]

Nice video

[@stephenpagett2848]

I would suggest you are not moving them often enough.

[@cozycowfarm]

It's a balance we have yet to figure out. At this time we push the land this hard to knock back weed populations. While more frequent movement would allow the grass to grow back faster, the cows choose to eat the weeds absolutely last, so tall, healthy tumble mustard, alyssum, and others are left behind while the grass gets trimmed first. We hold the cows on it until they snip down the weeds harder. On a side note, we've learned that while Dexters DO eat weeds (one of the often espoused special benefits of dexters), ours only do so when they have no other choice!

[@stephenpagett2848]

@@cozycowfarm I appreciate that fact that you responded to my comment and I hear you. Good luck with all your endeavours.

[@Joe-rr3ip]

See "Just a Few Acres."