Is it better to slash long winter grass before grazing cattle?

Why is cattle ranching successful in Brazil?

Because cattle can be grazed for 365 days a year, and most often feed doesn't have to be put up to sustain cattle through a cold winter or a season where there's little to no grazing.

What impact did the severe winters of 1865 and 1866 have on the cattle kingdom have?

It was actually the Great Winter of 1886-87 that affected the cattle kingdom. Thousands and thousands of cattle died during this Great Winter due to starvation. Many ranchers failed to put up winter feed for their cattle, and they also did not have adequate knowledge of stocking rates or carrying capacity for the grasslands that they had their cattle grazing on, so instead of having lots of pasture for winter, there was no pasture for winter because the grasslands had been overgrazed so bad. Ranchers suffered greatly in the huge losses of their cattle herds, and the cattle suffered from lack of feed.

What are examples of transhumance?

Transhumance refers to the seasonal movement of livestock between fixed summer and winter pastures. Examples include the migration of sheep herders in the Alps who move their flocks to higher elevations during the summer for grazing, and the movement of pastoralists in Mongolia who migrate with their livestock to find better grazing grounds as seasons change. Another example is the movement of cattle herders in the Sahel region of Africa, who travel between the grasslands and dry areas to optimize grazing resources throughout the year.

When do cattle drives happen?

Cattle drives typically occur in the spring and fall, depending on the region and climate, as these seasons are optimal for moving cattle to greener pastures or to market. In the spring, drives often head to summer grazing lands, while in the fall, they may return for winter shelter. The timing also aligns with traditional ranching practices and the availability of resources for both cattle and cowboys.

What do you plant for your cattle to eat in the winter?

Most cattle in the north are fed hay, silage and/or grain during the winter. However, for parts of the world where winter means no snow, most cattle are still out on green pasture. In some colder parts where snow is but a dusting, cattle are stockpile grazing old, dried growth of the previous year.

What ended the open range?

Over-grazing was a problem, but it was officially destroyed by the severe winter of 1886-87... cold temps killed cattle. The cattle that didn't die directly from the weather died indirectly from it because there was no grass for them to eat since it all froze.

How many miniature Zebu Cattle can graze on an acre of prarie land in northern arizona if the Pasture grass and soil is excellent and cattle will be supplementally fed in the winter?

In excellent pasture conditions, an acre of land can typically support about 5 to 10 miniature Zebu cattle, depending on factors like forage availability and grazing management. Since these cattle are smaller than standard breeds, they require less space and food. If supplementally fed during winter, this number could be on the higher end of that range, ensuring their nutritional needs are met year-round. Proper management practices will maximize the health and productivity of both the cattle and the pasture.

Do cattle need salt lick in the winter?

No

What factors led to the end of cattle drives after 1885?

The end of cattle drives after 1885 was primarily due to the expansion of railroads, which allowed for more efficient cattle transportation to markets without the need for long drives. Additionally, overgrazing and the subsequent depletion of grasslands, combined with severe weather conditions such as the winter of 1886-1887, led to significant losses in cattle herds. The rise of barbed wire fencing also restricted open range grazing, making traditional cattle drives less feasible. Together, these factors contributed to the decline of the cattle drive era.

What is Bale Grazing?

Bale grazing, similar to swath grazing, is a winter grazing method designed to keep the cows on pasture or on the field and out of the drylot for as long as possible. Bales of straw or hay are used in this grazing practice, and set out so that the cows have access to a certain amount of bales for a certain amount of time. Electrical fencing, like with swath grazing, is used to minimize waste and only allow the cows to clean up what they are given. Bale grazing can be used throughout winter, since the cows have easier access to the bales in deep snow than they would with swaths.

Prospect of cattle raising?

Cattle raising may get more corporate as small family farms disappear and the corporate farms increase in size. There is less money that can be made in cattle, so it has become mostly a hobby than a business, however a business can still be made in cattle, so long as you come prepared. Outside income has to come in in order to keep the farm going, as there just simply isn't enough in it to depend on raising cattle as a full-time job. If you want to make it a full time job, you gotta have at least 500 cows to look after. But that also means hiring someone to help you calve out, feed, spread manure, etc. And very, very few people will be wanting to stay on long-term to help with all that. Cattle raising may become more low-cost especially since farmers and ranchers are trying to find ways to be more sustainable, more economical, and more profitable with more of a positive margin in raising cattle than in the past. This means making the cows work for you instead of you working your rear off for them. This also means lessening winter feeding time and keeping them out on pasture longer; integrating winter grazing techniques such as swath grazing and bale grazing as well as stockpiling. Being more economical and sustainable also means turning the tractor on much less than before, buying much less expensive feed and fertilizer, and as a result purchasing far less fuel. Manure hauling may become non-existant as cows are being made to put their body wastes out onto the field themselves instead of making their owners do it for them. Summer grazing practices will and are being implemented to make better use of our pastures and ranges, such as rotational grazing, seasonal grazing, strip grazing, mixed grazing (grazing cows with sheep or goats for instance), leader-follower grazing etc. Selling calves to the feedlot may not become necessary, as the niche market for grass-finished beef may grow with consumers demanding a healthier product than they are today. Feedlots may become non-existant with this sudden boom in grass-finished beef. Going back to the cows themselves, there will have to be more stricter culling practices in place to raise the kind of cows that will do well on a diet of grass-only and don't need extra feed. The breeds and compound breeds will stay the same, but finding those that have better forage convertability and do not need as much feed per acre will aid in the higher sustainability and economics of the farm. Overall, if you want to raise cattle you gotta have a darn good plan. This includes some of the things I just listed above, as well as other things I didn't mention such as financial plans, market plans, marketing, etc.

What is Swath Grazing?

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.