Rocky Terrain - cattle grazing

[Mousehog]

We are hobby farmers, and wonder if there could be a grass or grain that can be planted in the rocky sections of our farm? We are picking up fallen timber, and we can mow/slash most of it, but some rocks are fixtures.
Any advice appreciated.

 

[sandman2234]

I live in sandy Florida, but am looking at a place in SW Arkansas, and running cows on that rockpile is one of the options. I will be watching for good replies also!
David from jax

 

[ponytug]

We are hobby farmers, and wonder if there could be a grass or grain that can be planted in the rocky sections of our farm? We are picking up fallen timber, and we can mow/slash most of it, but some rocks are fixtures.
Any advice appreciated.

A little more information would help a lot.

You don't say where you are. Where is the property? What is the rainfall? What is the rock? What is the soil such as it is? What does it assay for in terms of N/P/K, and micronutrients?

Last, and by no means least, what kind of cattle do you want to run, and what is their breeding?

In general, your animals and your grazing practices will have the most impact. Some breeds thrive on rough pastures, and others fare poorly. Sometimes fertilizing with limiting micronutrients can make an enormous difference in fertility of your soil. Have a look at

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Is More Cattle Grazing the Solution to Saving Our Soil?

In a scrubby pasture in deep southwest Georgia, reclaimed from growing pesticide-drenched cotton, Allan Savory—ecologist, philosopher, TED speaker—stoops to …

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Emerging land use practices rapidly increase soil organic matter - Nature Communications

Agricultural practices can degrade soil conditions through the loss of organic matter, a situation that will be exacerbated with growing populations. Here, the authors show that converting cropland to management intensive grazing can rapidly improve soil quality and increase organic matter...

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We rotationally graze belted galloways precisely because they are hardy and do exceptionally well on rough forage. We have used them to eradicate many invasive species and improve the pastures. Like many things, it is a process.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Mousehog]

Thank you Peter. We are running Dexters which have proven hardy. I like the BG's and that was one option but we couldn't find any.
These Dexters climb handily up the hills and over the rough terrain. Right now we have kangaroo grass growing. The cattle eat prickly pear before they touch that stuff.
We get maybe 650 mm rain yearly, but it has been very dry for South East Qld.

We have currently cleared fallen timber off a 20 acre portion of our 60 acre block. We have mowed/slashed grass down in a bid to improve pasture.

 

[LHF2019]

We run run a herd of Dexters mixed with a couple Jerseys. Rotationally grazing them will give you a good idea on what they will favor. I would look at grass and legume seeds you can buy local to spread as you clean up. There is a lot of "weeds" that cattle will eat that you may not even consider a food source but is very nutritious for them. Both breeds of ours will strip the leaves off from multifloral rose which is a invasive species.

 

[ponytug]

Thank you Peter. We are running Dexters which have proven hardy. I like the BG's and that was one option but we couldn't find any.
These Dexters climb handily up the hills and over the rough terrain. Right now we have kangaroo grass growing. The cattle eat prickly pear before they touch that stuff.
We get maybe 650 mm rain yearly, but it has been very dry for South East Qld.

We have currently cleared fallen timber off a 20 acre portion of our 60 acre block. We have mowed/slashed grass down in a bid to improve pasture.

Rain is always an issue. Dexters are another great breed for rough pasture. You might look up Cameron Woolfe Belted Galloways (contact info here) We used his bull (Wilkamdai Zikomo) for a number of years with great results.

I'm not wild about prickly pear, but I hear that getting a flamethrower out and burning off the needles is one way to go.

My understanding was that kangaroo grass was a reasonable feed when young, but favors rotational grazing for best effect. So, mowing is a big help.

My bigger picture question is whether you have considered Silviculture, or planting some of the native trees that provide excellent forage in off years, and improved grass production via shading? IIRC, there are a couple of species indigenous to your area that are quite valuable once established.

I guess overall, I would be tempted to find trees that do well in your rocky areas that are either of value themselves, or are of value for shading the soil and fostering better grass growth, or best of all trees that can be used as fodder. Round peg in a round hole idea. If grasses don't grow well, grow something else that does.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Mousehog]

Hi LHF we move our cattle around in the first instance to get them to eat the grass so we can get at the fallen timber, and secondly to give them food. Our Dexter bull jumps for joy (we stay well clear) when they are moved.

Peter, agree with you. We are culling the very spikey cactus and thinning the rest, leaving some of the marginal areas for drought fodder (pear). I favour something low growing so the big rocks show.

Most days I go out and tug fallen timber off one section, pile it and pick it up. Husband mows (and mows). We love our little life.

I will check out the BGs. Ta for the link.

 

[ponytug]

You are welcome. Always nice to have your own bit of heaven.

We got to know Cameron's mother over the years and my impression is that they know lots of folks in the Aussie belted Galloway community.

We get by on closer to 300mm, and are just coming off three years averaging 250mm of rainfall.

All the best,

Peter