It won't work here

There is a phrase spoken at many venues and dinner tables that can stifle a conversation or cripple the enthusiasm of well-meaning people or ideas.  I have found this puzzling phrase is based on a mindset more than from actual experience.  The words, “you can’t do that” or “that doesn’t work here” seem to slice up anyone trying to think outside of the box.  Some of us stubborn, passionate SOBs’ actually like when those words get ushered, as it sets up a challenge to prove the naysayer wrong.  I have been so challenged on the winter grazing idea working in New York.  Its funny to address this question on January 1^st, 2008 when I open up a new paddock with 12 inches of stockpiled native grasses for my “industry” normal 25 head beef cow/calf herd.  Two weeks ago, we were under a foot of snow, but today its mostly gone and easily accessible for grazing.  The snow cover wasn’t that big of a deal either as “smart” cows and their offspring happily foraged and rolled little snowballs as they went to grab a bite of green.  The free choice hay in the paddock provides a backup in case of inclement weather and they have access to a bedded pack pole barn for MY piece of mind and if it gets really nasty.  The odd part is that even with all these comforts I provide, they still prefer the “winter” grass and a secluded spot next to a south faced hedgerow for shelter. 

My wallet smiles everyday they pass on the big bale menu to graze. My friends’ Jim Gerrish, from Idaho and Greg Judy, from Missouri have preached to me that this stockpiled system can work anywhere and I have become a believer.  It wasn’t without a little skepticism on my part, until I was able to go to Greg’s farm and see for myself his “little” cows and his knee-deep stockpile.  He plans for a 12 month grazing system and I only plan for 7 months, which is about to change.  Jim’s mindset, book and “good” numbers on the cost of making hay sure woke me up to the fact, that for me, making hay was a losing proposition.  I should be concentrating on the animal part of the operation and buying in my feed.  Besides, buying in feed, put through an animal yields valuable fertilizer to grow more grass without all the equipment and fuel costs.

 This way of doing business doesn’t just happen; it took some planning and mentoring from my peers.  I had to plan on acres going fallow in August, to be ready in December.  It took some work to get a herd of small, beefy, efficient type cows calving in sync with nature, that only require a maintenance diet in the winter.  It also takes some weekly adjustments and forethought as the weather dictates.  Up to now, this strategy has allowed me to feed my cows for .65/head/day, which I think is commendable.   I foresee in the coming weeks, we will be socked in with lake effect, at which point I will give up the grazing ghost, but not a day sooner then I have to.