More (Smaller) Cows Per Acre = More Sustainable Farming

More Cows vs. Big Cows –

photocredit: http://sbs.bur.st

This from Kit Pharo's Newsletter;

I just noticed that one internet discussion site has been having a very lively discussion about the benefits of running more smaller cows compared to running fewer big cows.   Yep, this is one of the groups that has been known to do some serious Pharo Bashing in the past.

For over two decades, Pharo Cattle Company has been promoting the concept of running more smaller cows to increase profitability.   If your ranch can support 100 cows that weigh 1400 pounds, it can support 120 cows that weigh 1100 pounds.   That is 20% more cows producing 20% more calves – on the exact same forage resources.   Because smaller cows can wean a higher percentage of their own weight, I can guarantee the smaller cows will ALWAYS produce more total pounds than the bigger cows.   On top of that, the calves produced by the smaller cows will ALWAYS be worth more per pound!   Think about that…more total pounds that are worth more per pound.   Folks, this is a no-brainer!

Most of the members of this discussion site seem to be able to grasp this concept.   However, there are a few seedstock producers doing their best to justify the BIG cows that they have.   One said, “Our best registered cows are in the 1400-1500# range ...but they are for producing bulls.”   Another said, “I have a cow that weighed 2100 lbs when her feet were trimmed.  I am going to say that my cows range in the area of 1700 - 2000 lbs.”

It is up to you.   Your cows don’t care if you are profitable or not.   Making a very good profit in the cow-calf business has never been easier than it is right now for those who have enough courage to break away from the status quo, herd-mentality way of thinking.   Contrary to what the so-called “experts” have been saying for the past 40 years, there are huge benefits to running More Cows verses Big Cows.

Easy, Fast Lawn Mowing With Cattle

Cheap and Easy Lawn Mowing with Your Steers

(Fertilizer No Extra Charge)

OK, my mother finally suggested it. And this year, our cattle have taken the job of mowing (most of) our lawn.

We have a large front and back yard. It would take 2-3 hours to mow all of it, and this was once a week during the worst of the year.

Our old mower had hit the shop the last couple of years during that worst time. Once with a broken rod, and another with electrical problems (bad starter). So the grass got long and shaggy. I suggested that since we were short on grass for the Bull and steers we had up at the house, we just let them have it. A section away from the house, just for trial. (We keep the Bull and grass-fed steers up near the house for pampering/finishing until the Bull is ready to go back with the cows and the steers are ready for harvest.)

Since they crop it close, we couldn't care. It's just lawn, anyway. And the manure is an extra. We found that the first time through, they do a great job, since there aren't any patties (much) left from the last year. Otherwise, they leave little tufts here and there. The rave results, and the improved weight of those guys, was a good seller to expand the activity.

This year, I was about to take out the mower for the first time, and my mother seemed to be astonished that I was going to mow so much, almost insistent that I let the Bull and steers do that job. So I listened to her and strung the polywire around anything we didn't want rubbed on or trimmed (a couple of out buildings, the thornless blackberries, and the dwarf fruit trees). One trick was to park an old trailer on edge of the gravel lot and wire on an insulator rather than attempting to drive a post there. And we have an oil pipe welded to a tire rim that takes up the slack in a similar area.

I still get the job of mowing around those low trees.

These bovine boys are so trained to that polywire, I don't even have to charge it all the time. If it's a wood building, I found that the polywire can go right on it, so I need less posts (as long as I keep it tight).

And this is part of our rotation by the house. They eat all this off close, and then I let them into another pasture they haven't been in for awhile. I don't have to water them in our back yard as there's a big pond there - and they trim right down to its edge, a plus. While I don't let them mow the pastures that close, lawn is still lawn.

When they are done, I take down the polywire and go through to clip off the high spots (as mentioned above - tufts) After that we leave it to grow high again. And mow anything I couldn't get to near those out buildings.

Then the lawn sits to grow up again until it gets back up to about 6-8 inches. Meanwhile, I trim off the edges and make it look like it's cared for  - and the Bull/Steers crowd gets it again.

This continued until June, when the Steers are shipped and the Bull is back to other quarters with his harem. But these boys keep the lawn trimmed through the most abundant growing season. (Later I can also let in the cows and their calves, as one of their pastures is right "next door", but have to string a double polywire to keep the calves out of the road. And it definitely is charged at that point.)

What do our neighbors think? Well, they find it amusing. We have Belted Galloway/Angus crosses, so it's a bit picturesque, especially with the yellow polywire as an "accent". And I always trim the roadsides and ditches. The cattle take care of trimming the trees and shrubs (not the evergreens by the house, which are toxic), so the lawn keeps an interesting "ambiance" all summer.

And visiting family knows what we are doing - and usually get a half from one of those steers, so usually stay mum if they have any complaints or comments. (Or get a return comment that they can come over and take over the mowing anytime they like.)

One side-benefit is our mole population gets a work-over. Not only does the pulsing effect (and fertilizer) make for more luscious lawn, but the cultivator action forces the moles to dig deeper.

FWIW - your own mileage may very. Don't try this with your corn-fed feeders, but grass-finished steers, momma cows, their calves, and grass-fed stockers seem to do fine.

PS. If you aren't close enough to take advantage of our locally-grown Grass Fed Beef, consider U.S. Wellness. They are another Missouri farming operation which sells more than just beef. (I hear their cheese is excellent!) And have next day delivery.

How your beef is raised, mostly.

Even this video was surprising to me, and I've been raising cattle and around farming most of my life.

We raise grass fed beef, which is the easiest and probably lowest input way to raise cattle. All the cattle's "waste" output goes directly back onto the land. Cattle are checked twice daily and any that need special treatment are moved nearer the house for extra care and attention. 

However, check out how this feedlot operates. Quite fascinating.