OT- fall pasturing.. getting them back out?????

OK, we have a newly aquired pasture. Just finished the worst of the fencing through the low wooded boggy area(what a joy that was), gates are hung. Seeing as it is so abundant with forage yet, I would like to bring some or all the cows over there yet this year until snow. Land owner is really hoping I can as he wants to have is grazed down so he can spend time taking out any old wire, post, and whatever may be out there in the tall grass that will be exposed, thinking that it will be a greener lusher , safer, pasture next year. It is 32 acres, we have no corral built, I only have 12 cows, with calves a bull, and a few replacement heifers. Not sure how many would go yet. My question is, does any one have any advice for me as to what to do right off the bat so that I willbe able to get the cows out of there. Some are tame, some are not. If i have to I will spend the cash to build some sort of corral as I apparently have this pasture indefinatly and at no charge. I was thinking Maybe a 12'x 36', or would a little wider be better. Would I grain them daily right off the start so they get used to coming into the corral for a treat. Not sure how long fall willlast but am thinking I should be able to keep them there until mid-late november? Would cattle panels work for the corral with RR tie post evey 4', and keep the top edge at 6'? Any suggestions or advice will really appreciated, heck a picture of 6 would be even better. This pasture is adjacent to the tillable I have rented at that farm and the whole 80 will be fenced by next fall so the cattle will have the additional 48 acres of crop residue to graze after harvest.

A corral will make it easier to confin them as yer loading. An yea the panels will work very well with the post you described. The feed idea works well too. Last month I sold a steer, lured him into the corral with a little grain then sat the grain pan in the front of the trailer and got out and just watched him walk in. SIL was shaking his head. Said he never saw a cow load so easy. If you feed every day they will get used to it real fast and will be ther while you are. If you spend a little time just watching em eat and maybe talk to em a bit they will get real used to you fast and be much easier and safer when it's time to handle em. Mine will come to the fence and eat grass from your hand.

Rick

I always want to but never have built a permenent corral at my off farm pastures but all I use is corral panels that I haul to the pastures in my stock trailer. I will go over every few days and get them trained to come into the pen using a bucket of corn or bale of alfalfa. The wild card is always gathering up the calves.

Four to half a dozen portable panels funneling against the fence and leading into your trailer.

Bring the cows into the "funnel" then drag it around closed behind 'em.

If you go slow and don't get 'em all excited, they'll walk right into that trailer.

Allan

You might consider using corral panels for a pen. They are easy to set up and you can move them if necessary. Get some with the lowest bar no more than 10 inches from the ground or a cow can get her head under the panel and will lift it off the ground and go under it.A 24 x 36 pen might be better since you will need a trough or two in it. A little feed along will get the herd used to a new pasture and keep them coming into the corral so you can catch them when you want.

Calves can go under them as well, esp if you pressure them to much.

Ask me how I know?

John

A catch/load pen doesn't need to be built near-about as good as does a working corral. Years ago, my dad, a neighbor and I started freeze branding our cattle. There was a local 'market' for the freeze branding, but many of the smaller producers didn't have adequate facilities. We built a portable corral; Dad and the neighbor bought one inch square tubing; I built the panels and we shared the proceeds equally. It took only a few minutes to set the thing up and it would 'work' about 30-40 head. For what you're doing, cattle panels will work, but imho, crossties on 4 ft centers is overkill. I would definitely feed them inside the pen.....

setup a covered stock trailer with a small feed bunk in front, have ramp down, doors open and make a habit of morning or evening inspection of stock by putting some feed in bunk. Sheep, calves, couple dry cows will get thier treats and you can pat them. On locker day, shut the back door and drive to butcher shop or home barn before freeze. If the pasture has some old iron in it- watch for cows swallowing it, might need stomach magnets. Another way to clear pasture after fencing- get a load of cheap cull sheep and turn them loose for a couple weeks. Loose a cow and that lots of $$, a couple old ewes not that much $$. For final disposal, check the local Mexican, Indian, Arab community and arrange for a sale at set time for their big celebration meals, some of them will buy live and pickup, do their own butchering. Local Syrian group used to buy sheep live and take with them so they could have a public seen Halal kill. Dorper sheep are good brush and weedeaters, the little Shetlands and Churros also good weedeaters RN.

how far from where they are now to this pasture?if its close just feed them off the back the truck for a week or two untill they get used to coming when you honk the horn.lead them down the road to new pasture and they will follow right along.ive moved as many a a hundred head of steers this way for four or five miles, if its out where theres no traffic to speak of of course

Panels will work very well for a trap and you won"t need any posts. BTDT!

we herd all of ours with a cake feeder and a horn, works like the pied piper, we make a pass feed them and leave--after awhile they get in line---not recommended if'n you want to keep your truck pretty since the cows have a tendency to bump into it.