Cows vs. heifers...

We brought the cows and heifers home from fall grazing last week.  There comes a time in the fall when the cows need to be removed from the pastures.  We are very conscientious about our grass.  If the grass is abused/overused one year there are lasting effects for many years later.  The date the cows go out to pasture, how often they may be rotated through a pasture and when they come off pasture along with the exact number of head of cattle are all closely monitored by ranchers.  The sustainability of our grass is the foundation of a successful cow herd. 

When the cows are taken off the pasture we turn them out on cropland.  The crop has been harvested (wheat, corn, other), but there is often regrowth and grass in the areas that cannot be tilled and planted.  We are able to extend our grazing season, therefore, shortening the amount of time the cattle are confined and fed during the winter by several months each winter.

It is a win-win situation for the cows and for us.

 

The cows had about 4 miles to walk home.  We let them walk down the road at their own pace.  I "escort" the cows by driving ahead of them and making sure oncoming traffic slows down. 

There they are following me home.

In reality most of those cows would find their way back to the ranch all on their own.

They learn that routine really fast.

The lead cow is usually one of the older mamas.

Here is a perfect example of the cows knowing where they are going.  See them all in a line (or several lines).  I love that even though they could be wandering anywhere they want those cows know the best thing is heading home and getting fed each day by the guy in the tractor.

And here are the heifers...

They are bunched up and the guys are behind them on the 4-wheelers making sure they head the right way.  The heifers haven't learned the way home yet since this was their first year out to pasture. 

And the heifers only had 1 mile to walk.

Straight down the road with no turns.

Next year it will be a completely different story when we bring them home.

They will be all lined up following each other back to the ranch.