Strategic Feeder Placement and Observation of Cattle Behavior
At 11:53 in
I've been doing it wrong....But nobody is teaching this about farming!
What happens here
Once the feeder is in the new paddock, observe the cattle as they immediately approach and consume the minerals. Strategically place the feeder in areas where you want to encourage soil improvement. For example, if there's a spot with less desirable plants or 'weeds' (like Sericea Lespedeza, a legume that fixes nitrogen but is less palatable), position the feeder there. The cattle will gather around the feeder, trampling the less desirable plants with their hooves and depositing nutrient-rich manure and urine, which stimulates the growth of healthier grasses. This method works in conjunction with rotational grazing and the application of 'Super Soil' (a microbial inoculant) to enhance soil microbes and nutrient cycling.
Goal: Leverage cattle behavior and feeder placement to improve pasture health and soil fertility.
Tools and materials
- ATV Honda — Moving the feeder
- Super Soil Super Soil — Re-inoculating soil with microbes for nitrogen fixation and improved fertility
- Tractor with Sprayer — Applying Super Soil to the pasture