This Sustainable House

Posts Tagged ‘grazing’

One of the disadvantages of living in a rural area, at least in Australia, is the flies. They lay their eggs in animal manure, and as a result can be legion in an area in which one is surrounded by animals. In the case of TSH we have the cattle, pigs and chickens, as well as the sheep & horses surrounding the property.

To add to the problem, the flys aren’t just annoying but can cause issues with the stock through biting. We therefore need to control them.

Control can take one of three possible routes, or a combination thereof. These protocols are chemical control (pesticides), trapping and biological control. At TSH, chemical control is always the last resort, or act of desperation, and therefore doesn’t apply to this scenario. So we are left with trapping and biological control.

Before I go any further, let me point out an important fact… I’m a lazy sod! I don’t believe in doing something if someone, or something else, would like to do it for me. I am therefore naturally inclined towards biological control. In this case, Biological control will take two paths. Read the rest of this entry »

In an earlier post I mentioned that I had created a pair of ‘sacrificial paddocks’ for the cattle. Well recently the cattle have been moved out of these paddocks, and one has been sown to a spring pasture mix (comprised of forage brassica, plantain and clover). This video highlights how the paddocks were sown, without the use of any mechanical apparatus apart from a rake, and how they are growing.

And they said it couldn’t be done…

The 'Gang' in their new Paddock

In an earlier video post I talked about the paddock clearing operation in order to create a new 0.5 acre paddock at TSH. Well the job has been done, due in no small part to a wonderful WWOOFer Laetitia and the help of a particularly tenacious neighbour.

As you can see from the photo on the right, the cattle have taken to their new homes like ducks to water, though it is obvious that I need to have a few more ‘lessons’ with the tape measure… those posts were supposed to fit a 14′ gate between them!

Anyhow, the paddock really is quite wonderful and will, I’m sure, be a grand new home for our small herd. Must be like a holiday for them…

The next step is to prepare the adjoining 0.5 acre paddock, followed by the lane way to the diary shed (also to be built). We then have two additional areas to clear to set this ‘complex’ up. Anyone have any excess energy?

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I know that the above phrase normally goes the other way around, but in this case I noticed the curse first…

A couple of months ago I decided to revegetate a sacrificial paddock. A sacrificial paddock is one in which the animals are maintained for longer than would normally be prudent.  This would normally be a landcare nightmare but in this case a small area was chosen, which was already significantly degraded, which could be intensively revegetated following the animals.

I chose to build 2 sacrificial paddocks near the front gate for this purpose as the soil in that location was already bare hardpan, and their location would be ideal for quarantine/holding/calving paddocks moving forward. They are approx. 0.2 acres in size each.

A pair of the mischevious maruaders...

The plan to revegetate was to cover the soil with straw to a depth of about 1-2cm, and then Read the rest of this entry »

Building a sustainable property involves more than just plants, it also includes technologies and animals. At the moment TSH has a number of different animal species with the two most ‘useful’ being chickens and cattle. Dexter cattle actually. And it is these beautiful creatures that this post would like to introduce. Please say ‘hi’ to Congo and Dalila.

Congo and Dalila joined TSH approx 8 weeks ago and are settling in fine. Dexter Cattle were chosen, as a breed, as they are a miniature breed of cattle which are dual purpose, ie good for both meat and milk. Being a smaller breed they are ideal for a small block with more individuals per tonne of animal. They also have a beautiful temperament.

Both are pure-bred animals registered with the Dexter Cattle Association Incorporated. Congo is a ‘short’ bull, and Dalila is a ‘long’ heifer… she is also in-calf. Keep an eye out for more on these beautiful creatures and on our arrival… he/she is due in August.