This time of year, a lot of our pastures turn yellow. Goldenrod has moved in thick, and the herd has been grazing right through it. We didn't plan it that way, but it's ended up teaching us a lot about how these fields want to grow.
Goldenrod blooms late, after most other flowers are done for the year. That makes it one of the last big food sources for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators before winter. On a warm afternoon the whole field hums. A pasture can feed a lot more than just cattle.
We really haven't mowed much at all this year. Mostly there just hasn't been time, and it turned out we didn't need to rush out and do it. It's worked out really well, and these pastures have turned into beautiful places for grass.
The cattle do most of the work. We graze them close together and keep them moving quickly. Each pass, they eat what they like, trample the rest, and knock the goldenrod down. Over time, clover and good grass fill in between it, and the pasture comes back a little better every time.
A big part of what makes that possible is the no-fence collars our cows wear. With traditional electric or temporary fencing, moving a herd through tall grass and goldenrod would take a lot of weed-whacking just to run the fence line. The collars let us move the cattle fast through heavy growth, and they've opened up these goldenrod pastures in a way we couldn't have managed before.
The result is healthier soil, more wildlife, better pasture for our herd, and better beef for your table. If you'd like to hear when we have beef and other products available, join our email list for updates.