Getting Livestock Out to Grass After Winter: A Farmer’s Guide
There’s nothing better than seeing cows and sheep back out on fresh grass after a long winter. It’s a big moment in the farming year, but it’s not as simple as just opening the gate and letting them at it. A bit of planning and keeping an eye on a few key things will make the transition smoother for both stock and pasture. Continue reading for the perfect guide to ensure you are prepared and how the Herdwatch App can help you this Spring.
Timing is Everything
The first question every farmer asks is: When can I let them out? The answer depends on the weather, soil conditions, and grass growth. If it’s too wet, you’ll poach the ground, and if there’s not enough grass, you’ll end up supplementing with silage or concentrates. A good rule of thumb is to start with a few hours a day, letting stock graze lighter covers first to get their stomachs used to fresh grass again. In Ireland, Farmers have had a long winter and have only gotten a glimpse of spring in the last week.
What to Watch Out For
Here are a few things to keep in mind when turning stock out:
- Lush Spring Grass & Bloat – The first flush of grass can be rich in nitrogen, which can lead to bloat, especially in cattle. If they’ve been on silage and meal all winter, introduce them gradually to avoid any digestive upsets. This is why farmers tend to release their cows to pasture gradually by introducing them to grass for a few hours a day.
- Grass Covers – Ideally, you want fields with a nice mix of leafy grass and some fibre. Fields with too much heavy cover can lead to poor utilisation, while very light covers won’t sustain stock for long.
- Poaching & Soil Damage – If it’s been a wet winter, be careful with heavier fields. Poached land takes ages to recover and will set back growth. Move animals regularly to avoid hammering any one area.
- Worm Burden – Youngstock, especially calves and lambs, are at risk of picking up worms from pasture. A dung sample can help you decide if a dose is needed, rather than just dosing blindly.
- Water Supply – Check that all troughs are working and that pipes haven’t been cracked by frost over the winter. Especially in Ireland we had increased amounts of snow this winter during the time livestock was housed indoors.
- Fencing & Gates – Before letting stock out, walk the fields and check for any damage to fences. There’s nothing worse than chasing a bunch of stir-crazy cattle around the parish because of a broken wire!
How Herdwatch Can Help
Managing livestock and grassland efficiently can make a huge difference in keeping animals healthy and making the most of your pasture. Here’s how the Herdwatch Farm Management App can help you stay on top of your entire operation:
- Grass & Pasture Management – Track grazing rotations, measure grass growth which is now integrated with the Pasture Base system, and avoid overgrazing.
- Medicine & Treatment Records – Record doses and treatments instantly, ensuring compliance and better herd health.
- Breeding & Weight Monitoring – Keep tabs on youngstock performance and make informed culling/breeding decisions. The Herdwatch App can now be synced with multiple weigh heads. Read More Here
- Movement & Compliance Records – Easily log cattle movements and keep everything in order for farm inspections.
- Real-Time Farm Data – Access everything you need on your phone, anytime, anywhere on the cloud based system.
Getting livestock back out to grass is one of the best parts of farming after a long winter indoors, but a bit of planning makes all the difference. Keeping an eye on grass growth, animal health, and field conditions will help you get the most out of your land while keeping stock in top condition. And with tools like Herdwatch, you can stay on top of everything without the paperwork headache.
Here’s to a great grazing season ahead! Join over 20,000 Farmers using the Herdwatch App this Spring!