As we get ready to move our 5 bulls from the "bull pen" pastures this weekend off to their respective breeding groups and other parts of the farm, I'm reminded that we're currently at the height of fly season and bulls appreciate the opportunity to use young trees for scratching posts. Just because the cows may not cause excessive harm to young, desirable trees doesn't mean that bulls won't. Case in point in the picture below from our ranch in Argentina. These pines were ~ 5 years old and 10-15 feet tall when one of our bulls decided he was going to show off for the ladies. As a result, we now have some not-so-straight pines scattered around the silvopastures.
The culprit (Mr. Bull)...
Note: just because this is the Southern Hemisphere doesn't mean the results would be much different in the Northern Hemisphere!
Tags:
Brett,
I am pretty sure in the northern hemisphere the trees would have been bent in the opposite direction.
good info Brett, thanks for posting
Brett Chedzoy said:
I snapped this picture last evening of two of our bulls here rubbing off some winter fuzz on a dead larch tree, and it reminded me of this old post on the importance of recognizing the potential for certain animals to cause more damage than others when grazing amongst vulnerable trees.
Started by Emily Macdonald Mar 20. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Can anyone share experiences with willow fodder for sheep? What cultivars did you use? Good sources for obtaining cuttings? What density did you plant? How did it work out? Did the sheep like…Continue
Started by Travis Hermance Mar 18. 0 Replies 0 Likes
I am clearing my woodlots for silvopasture in the Mid-Hudson River Valley in New York State. Can anyone recommend a good mixture of grasses and legumes that are more shade tolerate for my new…Continue
Started by Robbie Coville Mar 15. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Months ago I had read that woodland graziers tend to have higher acceptance of forest management activities: logging, thinning, mechanical interventions, prescribed burning, chemical treatments,…Continue
Started by Brett Chedzoy. Last reply by Joshua Greene Jan 2. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Hopefully some of you have found the time to attend either the "SilvoPro" training this week in PA or maybe even the International Agroforestry Conference in Ireland. Look forward to some updates…Continue
© 2024 Created by Peter Smallidge. Powered by