FARMSTEAD SCHOOL
An Educational Collaboration between:
RE:FARM + A&H Urban Farms
There
This is a paddock in a native grass pasture that has been rested for over 100 days. On this 154 acre lease, we’re running 55 cows and their calves. The result of that high stocking rate is not a barren landscape, it’s the opposite! A lush pasture with diverse grass species and legumes (look at that common vetch!) without spending a dime on seeds!
The result of high-density mob grazing for 12 hours in the paddock shown above. Even graze of all plant species, and even distribution of manure and urine (natures fertilizer). As you can see we left plenty of grass behind, and the cows trampled quite a bit of forage onto the ground. That results in higher water infiltration and retention rates due to retained root structure and plant matter residual from not overgrazing. Leaving forage behind and letting your land rest is how we make you money! Your pastures and soil will be more resilient than your neighbors pastures that are set-stocked.
We put our cow herd in small paddocks like this (1/4 acre paddock shown) for short periods of time (12-24 hours depending on the size of paddock) to encourage the cattle to evenly graze not only the grasses/legumes they prefer, but also weeds and forbs. This encourages more plant diversity and a more resilient ecosystem.
This style of grazing management means we can control pasture growth, create a more resilient system with deep roots, soak up more water, and grow more grass with every pass on the farm. It is possible to achieve this with just an electric fence, a high stocking rate of animals, and some sweat on our end. If you’d like your overgrazed, abused, or unused land to look like a food plot, all you have to do is sit back and cash our checks!
Not Convinced? Here’s a link to the USDA/NRCS website on the benefits of Mob grazing for pasture health
Still not convinced? Here’s video explaining how it works from the NRCS.
WE can improve your land value and cash flow BY USING HIGH-DENSITY MOB GRAZING.
INTERESTED?
Schedule a day for us to visit your property and inspect 4 things:
Water (is there a way for our livestock to get clean water on the property?)
Forage availability (how many cows can your land support?)
Fencing (how much fencing will we need to provide/build?)
Is there a corral/loading area, or will we need to supply/build one?
Meet with us to discuss your needs and objectives
Areas where you want us to focus on your property?
Areas you do not want us to use on your property?
Do you need us to move cattle off your farm before specific hunting seasons?
Agree on a rent price per acre, per year, and the length of the rent contract.
OUR CRITERIA
Land must be within 30 miles of 73572.
There must be a source of clean water on the property
Minimum 3-year written rent/lease agreement, with the right of first refusal to buy the property if you choose to sell during the lease.
WE ARE FLEXIBLE. We are your partners - we win when you win, and are willing to work with you to make something happen.