What is swathe?

Answer 1

Swath grazing is when dry mature cows are allowed to graze swaths of oats, barley, winter wheat or winter rye during the early winter or late winter/early spring. They are on the field and only allowed access to the swaths a little at a time through a method called strip grazing. Temporary electrical Fencing is used, and is shifted once daily according to the number of cows, forage quality of the swaths, and size of the cows; the Fencing is located perpendicular to the direction of the swaths. Swath grazing is a method of winter grazing to minimize the amount of time spent feeding cattle in winter, as well as labour and time spent in late spring cleaning out the manure in the drylot. Here the cows are working for you, cleaning up the swaths as they go, and you are only spending 20 to 30 minutes moving the electric fencing to fresh grazing every one or two days for the cowherd.

Note swath grazing really only works for dry brood cows with no calf. If younger stock like heifers or steers or lactating cows are grazed, they need supplementation as often the forage in the swaths are not enough to meet these animals' dietary requirements. Shelter and water must also be met, though if there is fresh snow the cows can get water from eating snow. In most cases fresh water should be supplied daily.