Woodbeef
Yes, the cross fences are used to control the grazing process. My cross fences are T-posts with double hot wires and by most accounts are considered somewhat movable. The idea of using T-posts is to section off equal sized areas for paddocks. For additional control or to change the grazing pattern in a paddock, I'll use the little step-in posts with a hot wire as you suggest.
I'm also able to use cross fencing to keep the cattle out of certain areas like wood groves which are also personal woodlots, and out of swampy areas. Nothing better than cutting up trees while wading through a year's worth of cow pies. Also, its very important to keep cattle away from dried wild cherry tree leaves because they contain cyanide. In both the woodlot and swamp areas the cattle like to lounge around while making a concentrated manure mess.
Cowboydoc
I've heard about the EQIP program, but thought it required a large amount of acreage in order to participate. There hasn't been much discussion about the program at the cattle meetings I've attended here. Usually, I'm not one to look to the government for funding anything, but as you know, putting in large rotational grazing facilities involves investing a serious amount of money. That's one of my main reasons for using an experimental approach. You know the old adage, "If you want to make a small fortune in the cattle business -- start with a large one." I'd like to only lose my t-shirt and not the entire shirt off my back.
Do you know why Uncle Sam is so interested in supporting rotational grazing programs? Does the USDA feel guilty? Is the government trying to make ranchers and non-grain producers feel better, and make up for years of giving most of the subsidy money to grain commodities and other agribusiness special interests? Are they working with the FDA on the national obesity problem or what? I expect that folks like Dekalb, ADM, and Monsanto won't be too supportive of rotated grass finished beef programs. Other than a 10-year requirement, what are the other strings? I think the CRP was a 10-year program, but had several strings attached. For EQIP, do you have to pledge your first born to the feds? Does it sound like I'm looking for some catch in my government's EQIP program? I have no problem with the 10-year commitment. One doesn't make a sizable investment and expect to be out in the short term. Like you, I plan to be in it for more than 10 years anyway.
I've looked at the big producer issue. I'm somewhat lucky in that I live within 500 miles of 70% of the US population and lots of big city snooty restaurants. Also, I live close to some well-heeled communities where they are very health aware and strongly support local agriculture producers. Both the restaurants and the clientel want what you have.
Are you BQA licensed or do you private sell or participate in any of the special beef sales? Do you use a cattle sale broker? With 1800 head on graze, I'd bet you a cold drink on a hot day that you could increase your average sale prices by at least 4%-5% just by being BQA licensed. At least those are the numbers presented by the USDA experts around here and backed up by BQA stocker sales to feedlots, mostly in Pennsylvania. Conversations I've listened to suggest that the same numbers, and better, carry over to pasture finished cattle. Special sales and brokered deals can probably generate even better prices.
Its been my observation that most rotation-grazed pasture finished beef cattle aren't seen or sold at your local sale barns or stockyards. If you are grazing those 1800 critters in Iowa, I'd seriously doubt the buyers from IBP would do much better than normal fat cattle prices. Has it been your experience that the big packing house buyers from Sioux City, KC and elsewhere are paying top prices for high quality cattle? Or do they have their hand on your wallet like they did when we operated our feedlot? If so, put 'em in a panic by casually letting them know that you're looking into placing your cattle in a special sale, going private, or using a snooty restaurant broker. Watch their eyes light up. Help them remember that grass-fed finished cattle require an 18-24 month investment instead of 12-14 months using growth hormones, antibiotics in stressful crowded feedlots. In short, remind them that clean meat is worth more in the marketplace these days. They know that, but they just aren't quite ready yet to admit it publicly.
Regarding protein tubs. Are you giving protein supplements as free choice or only putting the tubs out periodically. In the past, I used protein periodically to improve my TDN when the hay was less than desired. How much daily gain improvement are you seeing by using increased amounts of protein? Free choice protein for 1800 head of cattle is a lot of protein. They gobble that stuff up fairly quickly. Have you tracked the cost and bottom line improvement? Are you running purebreds, purebred crosses or standard cattle?
Paul
You made some excellent points about mini bales and that's exactly why I'm researching this issue. Handling and transport wouldn't be that hard, because there wouldn't be that many bales involved and more bales can be loaded on a round bale transporter or bale wagon. Yes, the extra twine would be something of a cost factor. Unrolling more bales might be a hassle. I'll probably use a round bale feeder when I have to in the winter, but would probably have to put a couple of bales in each ring.
My little 3 cylinder 27 HP tractor only cost me $2,000 and had less than 800 hours on it. It's cheap to operate too. Sometimes, A 4WD tractor would be better for me in these little Virginia hills, but so far no problems using the smaller machine as a utility tractor. It's also great for getting into tight areas with the brush hog, mower, blade, rake, etc. Around here a used 100 HP tractor with a FEL that's worth owning goes for upwards of $10,000 and that's without 4WD. Bigger machines also eat more fuel and have higher maintenance costs. Parts availability and after-sale service and support does rank right up there as a main concern with new and uknown baler manufacturers.
And, when its all said and done, I may end up with a 4x4 or 4x5 unit. I'm just trying to consider all the different cost options at this point. If I do belly up to the EQIP trough, then maybe I can spend more funds on machinery. What can I say. I'm a prostitute. I work for money.
Ed
