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A Welsh family at Newton Farm in Scethrog, near Brecon, faced a challenge last winter when they implemented bale grazing for their suckler cows to improve soil health and reduce the housing period. Despite the heavy rains, the Rodericks successfully managed their first winter using this technique, with minimal poaching and good summer recovery.
For the upcoming winter, they have prepared bales for a second bale-grazing period, in addition to strip-grazed silage bales and fodder beet that they have been using since 2016. With 100 cows, 20 in-calf heifers, and a Stabiliser multiplier herd, the Rodericks have found ways to cut down their winter housing period from 24-26 weeks to four-to-six weeks by being flexible in their outwintering approach.
Their system includes using fodder beet and silage bales, bale grazing on deferred grass leys, housing for certain conditions, and a backup crop of rape and turnips to extend grazing if needed. The Rodericks are part of a knowledge exchange program supported by McDonald’s UK and Ireland, which is looking into the benefits of bale grazing for soil health improvement.
The cost of bale grazing for the Rodericks is 85p per cow per day, with feed coming from grazed deferred grass and hay. The key benefits of bale grazing include reducing the risk associated with establishing summer crops and offering an alternative outwintering option.
To ensure a successful winter outdoors, the Rodericks have learned valuable lessons in being adaptable, having a backup plan, selecting appropriate genetics, maintaining cow condition, using back fences and drag troughs, trimming hedges, moving stock efficiently in wet conditions, selecting suitable fields for grazing, and using external wires for fencing.
For bale grazing, they recommend taking bales to fields with more thatch and sward density, unrolling hay bales to reduce compaction, and grazing downhill on flatter fields to minimize topsoil loss. They also emphasize the importance of slowly transitioning rumens to beet and using ring feeders to prevent waste.
Overall, the Rodericks have found success with their outwintering approach, combining bale grazing, strip grazing fodder beet, and other techniques to improve soil health and reduce the winter housing period for their cattle.
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Maria Sanchez completed her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of California, Davis, in the USA. Her studies focused on plant genetics and biotechnology, with an emphasis on developing disease-resistant crop varieties. Maria has contributed to several research projects aimed at improving crop resilience to climate change and is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Plant Breeding.
