Cycling the Cows Through the Yard

In early spring we try to not mow the grass for as long as we can.  If we lived in the suburbs, this would not fly.  We'd have angry neighbors and the president of the HOA leaving letters on our door.  We don't do this because we are slothful.  We don't do this because we don't care what the yard looks like.  We do this because our cows love the to eat the winter grass and white dutch clover that fills the yard.  There's no sense mowing it when the cows can clean it up.

To cycle them through the yard, we have portable fencing and I'll move it around the yard each day, making several paddocks.  This is accomplished by an electric fence system that is powered by a battery.  The one in the pasture is solar powered.  If you mistakenly touch this thing, it will make you yell uncontrollably.  It's kind of funny after the shock has worn off.  The cows have all touched it and they respect it.

Once they have completely eaten all the grass down to a level height, it is time to make another paddock in the yard and move them.  But I have three cows and it was just Tricia and I.  I was busy making the new paddock and so there was only one person to hold 3 cows.  The math wasn't working.  So what to do?  With one lead rope, you can clip it to one cow and run the rope through the rings of the other two cows' halters.  Then I can pull down the wire in the existing paddock and quickly build the new one without worrying about the cows running away.

Tricia thought of that idea.  It seems like she's over-seeing a chain gang!

It is a win-win situation for all involved.  The cows eat the grass, delaying my obligation to do it.  They are able to enjoy the grass in the yard to allow the grass in the pasture to come up without being eaten down to the ground.  The cows also poop in the yard, fertilizing the soil.  When April comes around I will mow the grass, leaves, and poop into rows.  Then I'll rake it all up and incorporate it into the soil in the garden.

Cows make great lawn mowers!