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intro, question

W

WBowling

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Joined
Apr 21, 2013
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KY
Hey guys,

I'm new to the forum, but was hoping someone might be able to help me out with a question...

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with herding cattle in an open range situation. My part of the world has a lot of unused grassland in large chunks, but it is relatively low productivity (reclaimed surface mines). To my way of thinking, a situation like this could be tailor-made for herding.

I am most interested in finding out if operations anywhere else are being operated in this fashion, and if so, where I might be able to find more information.

Thanks for any help you're able to provide,
Will[/b]
 
Hey Big Muddy, thanks for the reply!

I expect labor will be the biggest expense. I would be hesitant to use electric fence for a couple of reasons.

First of all, most of the land is in corporate ownership (large land companies). They are generally pretty hesitant to provide long-term leases - I'm a big advocate of electric fencing, but I hate to start sinking fence posts on land that I don't own.

Second, many of these areas are really remote. I hate to sound distrustful, but I would sleep better with someone on hand to keep an eye on things and make sure the cows don't end up in the wrong trailer.

My thinking is that I could amortize the labor cost over sheer numbers of cattle. I think that some sheep ranchers use a similar method on BLM land, but I'm having a hard time finding details about those operations.

As to water, most of these areas have some water sources. It wouldn't be ideal, but you could walk the cattle back to water on most sites without losing too much production.

Thanks again!
 
I herded cows on open range but we had drift fences at choke points to keep most in the allotment area they were to be in, we used salt to help distribute the cattle... herding actually works better with sheep, they flock together and you can move your sheep camp along with them with horses. Winter grazing they will eat snow, if no snow you need to haul water.
 
I'm sure you will get more replies, things are a little slow here with people calving.
Isn't it the Basque that are famous for herding sheep?

The fencing i was meaning is temporary type where it could be put up ahead and taken down behind the herd. Probably still need something to yard the herd at night so they don't wander.
 
WBowling said:
Hey guys,

I'm new to the forum, but was hoping someone might be able to help me out with a question...

I was wondering if anyone had any experience with herding cattle in an open range situation. My part of the world has a lot of unused grassland in large chunks, but it is relatively low productivity (reclaimed surface mines). To my way of thinking, a situation like this could be tailor-made for herding.

I am most interested in finding out if operations anywhere else are being operated in this fashion, and if so, where I might be able to find more information.

Thanks for any help you're able to provide,
Will[/b]
Click to expand...

Welcome to our community! I am sure many here of our members will get you on the track in finding an answer to your question! Good luck!
 
Out here sheepmen hire herders to keep an eye on, water and move the sheep everyday. They live on the range in a camp wagon and go from the high mountains in summer to the desert in the winter. Most are Peruvian or Mexican and come on 3 year contracts with a work visa. The ranch that hires them pays for airfare up and 1-six week trip back home during the contract. The ranch provides "room and board" plus about $700-1200 a month depending on experience. I know outfits who have had the same herders for over 20 years on many different 3 year contracts. A company i think called Western Livestock Service does all the paperwork for visas and gets the herders to the ranches. I may be wrong on the company and will check.

Cattle associations hire range riders to keep cattle from drifting off of their range out here. They go back to a line cabin or the main ranch at night. Then try to push cows back during the daylight. Out here, when it gets hot, cattle really graze and move a ways during the night when it cools off some. Then shade up by 10 am and wait til early evening to do it again. Might be tough to keep them all squared away on your lease without a perimeter fence. Hope this helps. A guy can accomplish a bunch if he's willing to work hard and see what works best for him. I wish you the best and hope you become a regular.

H'
 
leanin' H said:
Out here sheepmen hire herders to keep an eye on, water and move the sheep everyday. They live on the range in a camp wagon and go from the high mountains in summer to the desert in the winter. Most are Peruvian or Mexican and come on 3 year contracts with a work visa. The ranch that hires them pays for airfare up and 1-six week trip back home during the contract. The ranch provides "room and board" plus about $700-1200 a month depending on experience. I know outfits who have had the same herders for over 20 years on many different 3 year contracts. A company i think called Western Livestock Service does all the paperwork for visas and gets the herders to the ranches. I may be wrong on the company and will check.

Cattle associations hire range riders to keep cattle from drifting off of their range out here. They go back to a line cabin or the main ranch at night. Then try to push cows back during the daylight. Out here, when it gets hot, cattle really graze and move a ways during the night when it cools off some. Then shade up by 10 am and wait til early evening to do it again. Might be tough to keep them all squared away on your lease without a perimeter fence. Hope this helps. A guy can accomplish a bunch if he's willing to work hard and see what works best for him. I wish you the best and hope you become a regular.

H'
Click to expand...
Moutain West is another one that helps bring in herders too
 
My first thought, as was mentioned previously, was that sounds like a sheep deal. If it isn't, and water isn't a big issue, there is no reason to not start stringin' the hot wire. If your concern is cattle retention, I would suggest some west-Texas cows with a "little" ear. Don't know how horse or dog savvy you may be, but if you can get a deal landed; just stock the front half, because there will be some "civilized" northern cows needing a new home in August.
Some of this post is BS, but PM about the electric fencing.
 

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