Red Robin
Well-known member
I'm curious. When in South Dakota last fall, the shade seems sparse at best. I am wondering how many folks here can graze in the summer without any shade at all. Is it related more to heat, humidity, breed of cow?
Shade
- Thread starter Red Robin
- Start date
Jinglebob
Well-known member
We just went thru' this under a different thread RR. One of Ben's. I can't remember what the name was tho'. :x
Clarencen
Well-known member
I don't have shade here. I think my cows would seek out places where there is a free circulation of air rather then look for shade. Some years back, my brother and I did lease a couple of pastures that had deap draws and some trees. Sometimes the cattle did stay in the shade during the heat of the day, sometimes they were on the hill tops. We did not see any notable difference in preformance there than here at home.
Cattle most likely seek out an environment similiar to where they were raised. From my observations, I believe the same is sometimes true of the plants and grasses they select to eat. We have bought cattle that were raised in other areas, with different plants and grasses, it appears that sometimes they graze plants that my home raised cattle would not touch. Often they do not do as well until they have been in my environment for a year or so and have been accustomed to what grows here.
That is just my thoughts, but I really don't know.
Cattle most likely seek out an environment similiar to where they were raised. From my observations, I believe the same is sometimes true of the plants and grasses they select to eat. We have bought cattle that were raised in other areas, with different plants and grasses, it appears that sometimes they graze plants that my home raised cattle would not touch. Often they do not do as well until they have been in my environment for a year or so and have been accustomed to what grows here.
That is just my thoughts, but I really don't know.
Clarencen
Well-known member
Cattle, like the buffalo like to graze and move into the wind. This is to fight flies and to cool themselves. We confine them with fences so they often bunch up along fences or fence corners during hot weather, this is contrary to their nature.
Soapweed
Well-known member
We hardlly have any shade at all on our ranch. The cattle seem to not miss something they never had. :wink: Our cattle usually spend the hottest part of a summer day near the windmills, where besides being able to get a drink, they are often able to stand in a run-off puddle. If they are not at the windmill, they will have walked into the wind to the far side of the pasture. It is just their nature.
Faster horses
Well-known member
Our cows seek ridges in summer, not shade. We have pastures with
shade and pastures without shade. They still go to the ridges. And
they do like to lay around the water as Soapweed said. When
in Missouri in 1993, I saw Charolais cattle submerged in a pond.
I've never seen that in Wyoming or Montana.
One thing interesting that an old hand told Mr. FH years ago,
when trailing cattle on a warm day, when you go by a draw or
low spot with a breeze coming down through it, the cattle will try to go
into the breeze. Guess I never wondered why they did that until
this thread. Now I have a good idea.
shade and pastures without shade. They still go to the ridges. And
they do like to lay around the water as Soapweed said. When
in Missouri in 1993, I saw Charolais cattle submerged in a pond.
I've never seen that in Wyoming or Montana.
One thing interesting that an old hand told Mr. FH years ago,
when trailing cattle on a warm day, when you go by a draw or
low spot with a breeze coming down through it, the cattle will try to go
into the breeze. Guess I never wondered why they did that until
this thread. Now I have a good idea.
Red Robin
Well-known member
It looks like it has more to do with humidity than temp. I looked up Bens thread on shade, thanks JB. Anyone in humid areas graze without shade? Texan, Txag? Haymaker? Lilly?Mike? Etc
the_jersey_lilly_2000
Well-known member
Nope we don't, we have too many trees to ever be able to graze without shade. LOL
Shade is a must have deal, with the humidity we have here. And yes....they do get in the tanks and stand too, one or two at a time. usually the same two or three together. Not all of the cows do this.....I think there's probably 7 or 8 of em that like to do it. The others just lay in the shade under a tree.
Smart cows.......graze more at night around here. And the bulls work at night too.
Shade is a must have deal, with the humidity we have here. And yes....they do get in the tanks and stand too, one or two at a time. usually the same two or three together. Not all of the cows do this.....I think there's probably 7 or 8 of em that like to do it. The others just lay in the shade under a tree.
Smart cows.......graze more at night around here. And the bulls work at night too.
Aaron
Well-known member
Between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., you are typically hard-pressed to see our cattle in the open. Unless a good wind comes through, they will stay in the bush and do nothing until nightfall.
IL Rancher
Well-known member
I don't have any fields that don't have acces to shade but I have fields with no shade in them... Mostly the cows have to leave the field and than go over to an alley that is lined with hedge trees.. Need to plant some trees. Generlaly not an issue until it gets in the mid 80's but if it is humid it is worse... Much worse as the eal humid days seem to have no breeze. These are the days tht the well doesn't stop running, you take the float off thet anks and just let it go depending on what field they are in and what they are eating..
We have a couple puddles/ponds that the cows will stand in when it gets real hot.. Usually they are pretty dry by the time July roles around and they don't use them but sometimes we get one of theose 3 inch an hour rainstorms come through and fill them up for a few days... Cows love the big old puddles than..
We have a couple puddles/ponds that the cows will stand in when it gets real hot.. Usually they are pretty dry by the time July roles around and they don't use them but sometimes we get one of theose 3 inch an hour rainstorms come through and fill them up for a few days... Cows love the big old puddles than..
young gun
Well-known member
Aaron said:
that is because your hefords are too busy fighting the bull dogs :wink:
Aaron
Well-known member
young gun said:
There's a breed that CAN handle bulldogs?!
Aaron
Well-known member
Nevermind that last comment. Searched and figured out who 'young gun' is. Always with the hereford jokes and jabs that tall, lanky fella....
I agree with you that the humidity is probably more of a factor than the air temp. Some of the really humid mornings, cattle will shade up early and stay there most of the day. A few days later, after we have some drier air move in, they'll be out grazing at the same time of day, even though the sun is more intense and the temp is higher.Red Robin said:
I've got a few places that don't have enough shade. Cows just pile up under what little shade there is and it's probably 130 degrees in the middle of the bunch - I've never figured that one out.
Shade is nice to have, but given enough time, I think they'll acclimate to what they've got.
