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tall grass grazing

 
                                      
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I've been reading a lot about tall-grass grazing and mob-stocking, and I'm really fascinated. I'm currently managing a micro-herd of 2 cows and 7 sheep. I've found that the cows like the grass best in the "pre-boot" stage, 12-14 inches, as tall as possible without starting to bud. Once the grass is buding, I can't get them to touch it. I'm giving them only 2,000 sq ft per day, and I don't think I can go that much smaller, so I don't think I can really simulate the mob effect with 2 cows. Does this just mean that I just can't graze tall?
 
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Hi, can you tell me what "mob-stocking" is?
 
pollinator
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Cows have to learn mob grazing. I gather that some breeds conform to it smoother and faster. Perhaps a scotish highlander or another primitive breed could help your other cows learn?

The trick would be to feed them something that leaves them wanting more... so you better get a bunch of hay (enough to feed them well) so that they won't freak out and jump the fence from hunger as what would probably happen if you just put them in there with tall grass. From what joel said I think it helps to have cows that already know what's up to help the other cows learn.

I'm no expert on it, but i believe part of how it works so well is that under all that tall grass, there is some pre boot grass that is protected from too much heat from the sun and is in an ideal state to be eaten, there is just not as much of it and the cows have to work to get it!
 
Anonymous
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Hmm... I did not know that about cows, interesting, thanks
 
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