Overgrown Grazing

[Olliestar]

I have the opportunity of renting a field that has not been grazed in years. It's extremely overgrown and as it is the wrong time of year to top it I was wondering how safe it would be to fence of small areas or strip graze it as it is. I am just a bit concerned about the risk of colic. Does anyone have any advice.

 

[webble]

What is the grazing like? Is it older dead grass or ex dairy type?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If it's grass it should be fine strip grazed, like standing hay (foggage). Just check that there aren't any poisonous weeds hiding in amongst the long grass.

 

[Olliestar]

What is the grazing like? Is it older dead grass or ex dairy type?

It's old and untouched, quite dense and clumpy underfoot it that makes sense. Doesn't seem to be any ragwort. Hasn't been grazed by cattle and definitely not anything else for a very very long time. It is predominantly grass that's grown long and died back.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Can you strim and rake a section clear then strip graze into that?

I’d be worried about hidden hazards and debris hidden in the long grass, but if you strip graze into the foggage you can check each time before you let them on the new grazing.

 

[Horseysheepy]

Can you strim and rake a section clear then strip graze into that?

I’d be worried about hidden hazards and debris hidden in the long grass, but if you strip graze into the foggage you can check each time before you let them on the new grazing.

Good point!

I remember the horror of finding a set of chain harrows 'knitted' and well hidden into the long grass on the headland of a field I was planning to graze.

 

[SEL]

I agree on checking for hazards and weeds but mine have just been turned out on grass that sounds just like this - last grazed in March and I don't top fields.

The longer grass gives protection to the soil underneath and my 3 will be on this until around March. They start by taking all the nice bits, which then exposes the dead looking mat of grass underneath and to prevent starvation () at some point they do need to eat the less tasty or brown stuff. So far no colics and they all drop weight nicely.

 

[Burnttoast]

Just be aware of the possibility of moulds on the dead stalks @PurBee knows more about this than me but the consumption of many types of mould can cause liver damage.

 

[Olliestar]

If it's grass it should be fine strip grazed, like standing hay (foggage). Just check that there aren't any poisonous weeds hiding in amongst the long grass.

Can you strim and rake a section clear then strip graze into that?

I’d be worried about hidden hazards and debris hidden in the long grass, but if you strip graze into the foggage you can check each time before you let them on the new grazing.

Oh yes, good plan!

 

[irishdraft]

Should be fine once you've checked for possible hazards, my horses winter grazing is all like this, it's surprising how quickly it gets grazed down.

 

[PurBee]

Just be aware of the possibility of moulds on the dead stalks @PurBee knows more about this than me but the consumption of many types of mould can cause liver damage.

I’d check for blackish dusty mould specks on the stems and seedheads of the standing tall grasses, and if its clear of that, would graze.

The previous years mouldy old growth should be stomped down by them grazing the taller stuff.

 

[rabatsa]

I brought 12 acres back into use that had been left for a few years. I used an electric fence and moved it very slowly along the field, giving about a foot of fresh ground a day. When enough had been grazed/trodden on I put up another electric fence as a back fence so that the area did not become too fouled up.

It did take a few years to get perfect grazing but my land was wet and covered in rushes and thistles as well as grass. I also got some sheep which helped clean up the ground. One of my equines loved thistles and soon taught all the others to enjoy them as well, so much so that the thistle were eaten in preference to the old grass on each fence move.

 

[pistolpete]

I brought 12 acres back into use that had been left for a few years. I used an electric fence and moved it very slowly along the field, giving about a foot of fresh ground a day. When enough had been grazed/trodden on I put up another electric fence as a back fence so that the area did not become too fouled up.

It did take a few years to get perfect grazing but my land was wet and covered in rushes and thistles as well as grass. I also got some sheep which helped clean up the ground. One of my equines loved thistles and soon taught all the others to enjoy them as well, so much so that the thistle were eaten in preference to the old grass on each fence move.

The back fence is a brilliant idea. Think that would really help prevent the delicate root systems being destroyed and help grass stay useful for a lot longer.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Just be aware of the possibility of moulds on the dead stalks @PurBee knows more about this than me but the consumption of many types of mould can cause liver damage.

Was going to say this.