Fall Grazing Tips

This sight will be common within days. 

Think of each blade of grass as a solar panel. The panel charges the plant's growth. In fall, with less light available for growth, grass needs more ​surface​ ​area​, than summer months, for the same regrowth—if the amount of moisture remains a constant. Gordon S. (Premier consultant and raises 200+ ewes on grass) prefers to move when grass length is 4" (a good practice to use in general). 

This leaves the plant enough solar collection ability to regrow without drawing from its roots (drawing via the roots reduces available energy for spring growth). 

Also consider fencing off shaded areas. While essential during summer months, they attract heavy traffic which leads to bare, barren dirt (not good). 

Solutions:

• Increase rotation speed (i.e. less time in one area). Less time grazing (one location) = more grass available for collecting sunlight. 
• If an area is already overgrazed, fence it off. Same practice for shaded areas—if it's cool, fence off the trees.

For fencing out of the way areas, consider using a solar fence energizer. 

In either case, we use netting to accomplish this. It is quick to install and easy to move. Fall rains bring soft soils so nets with double-spikes are preferred by many (though we find single-spike just as effective on our farm). Though if we graze later into the season, nets with drivable posts (DP) would be advised (hard/frozen soils).