swales in animal paddocks/ rotational grazing etc?

the idea didn't really hit me until I heard it in the podcast here: http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/tag/sheep its about an hour in.

so has anyone done it? I am wondering animal damage to the swales? or just bigger swales for the bigger heavier animals? what would you plant on the berm of the swale as being in the animal area?

pics welcome (: thanks!

I just got finished marking out the contour lines in my pasture and am ready to dig swales to do exactly what you mentioned. I am planning on rotating sheep, pigs, and chickens/ducks/geese/turkeys in the grazing paddocks in between (not necessarily in that order). I am going to plant fodder plants (leucaena, moringa, bamboo, etc.) and fruit/nut trees (mulberry, mayhaw, pecan, etc) on the berms. I'm planning on fencing off the swales/berms, with the idea being that the sheep will browse the overhanging fodder once it matures, and the pigs and birds can graze the fallen fruit and nuts. I would also be interested to hear what other people are actually doing in this regard as well. If my memory serves me, I believe the PDM has the swales fenced off in a grazing cell design.

HI There, are you still interested in Tagasaste Seed. I have obtained a Permit from the USDA APHIS & have several pounds of seed available here in Spring, Tx  (Houston)
I have several trials going indifferent regions with Cattle ranchers, Sheep & goat farmers as well.
Kym - 270 484 6585
korrock@att.net

Kim,

Any chance I could get some Tagasaste seed from you?  25 to 30 seeds will give me an idea of whether they will work here or not.  I live in far west TX near Big Bend National Park.


I will definitely pay you for postage, etc.  Just let me know.

Thanks,

Kevin

Kevin,
Yes of course I've got seed here for you to try. korrock@att.net
270 484 6585.
I planted about 40 sites last week on a ranch in the Sierra Diablo Mtns, 20 miles NW Van Horn & have others doing trials for me. I was on my return from the Chihuahua Desert region of MX, where I've got trials as well with Cattle Ranchers there.
Tagasaste as an evergreen, with Alfalfa feed value For wildlife, Cattle, goats, sheep, monarch butterflies, bees & Hummingbird as a supplement source of forage & pollen is why I'm hard to establish. It is proving interesting to say the least, but I have enough interest & support that we will work it out