From the Barns: Leap into solar

Our 2023 growing season continues to be a challenge, but perhaps everyone is successfully adapting, because I don’t hear as many pity parties as during some growing seasons. Although, the row croppers always seem very unhappy about some conditions. We do need rain, but somehow it seems to miss us even though rain has been close by at times. Actually, all of our pastures have regrown after each graze, very much surprising us at times, considering the droughty conditions.

I am not foolish enough to declare us drought-proof, but we are very nearly there. A good rotational system with proper management of forage turn-in height and turn-out height, along with adequate rest is imperative to reach that goal. A huge factor these days, with the summer sun burning down, is that those pastures with healthy forages will have soil temperatures 20 degrees cooler than any overgrazed pasture. That 20 degrees poses a completely different scenario for regrowth, especially in drought conditions. After a very hard half-inch rain last weekend, those paddocks also retained the full half inch with no runoff and a minimum of evaporation.

I often also like to mention that proper density — number of pounds of cattle in a grazing group for each acre — with proper management, can result in a near-perfect graze. If the density introduced to a paddock is correct, the cattle will leave a very uniform height of 4 to 8 inches of forage and will accomplish that in one to three days. The paddock will look like it had been mowed by machine.

If the graze extends to a longer period of time, uneven forage will be left behind. Their favorites will have been grazed down and less favorite forages left longer or not grazed. That situation, however, can be easily remedied, either with the use of temporary fencing to make the paddock smaller to fit the desired density or by increasing the number of animals and therefore the density. We find that we can achieve the near-perfect graze with a density of 25,000 to 35,000 pounds per acre. On hot dry periods, it is easy to be fooled by the forage near the watering area. One needs to get away from there to see the true picture.

In June, we took the leap into solar. We installed 11 panels on each side of our machine shed roof. The idea being to get the earliest sun in the east panels and the latest in the west panels. It was turned on June 13, so we had just 18 days on the June bill. My electricity bill for June was 9 cents. I am actually looking forward to my July billing and seeing where we are in saving up for winter or extended periods of cloudiness.

I can be a little discouraged at times, but my attitude changes in a hurry when I walk into the machine shed and hear that fan running to keep that inverter cool. With both state and federal incentives, as well as the actual production, the payback period should be no more than 18 to 20 months.

I took some R & R time in June to visit two of my daughters in Milwaukee and Rockford. On the way home, I diverted to Andrew Paquette’s place near Kankakee and was treated to views of a great grazing operation and beautiful Polled Hereford cattle. Andrew and his father have selectively developed an outstanding herd of near-perfect udders and feet and docility, as well.

The paddock system is extensive and well utilized and would make a perfect spot for a very informative pasture event. Andrew is also making plans to convert some ground to winter grazing and also do more rolling out of round bales for winter feed right in his paddocks to help soil health. It was a very worthwhile and enjoyable three-hour visit. It was very dry there at the time, but Andrew reports copious amounts of rain since. Good to hear.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition, the voice of regenerative grazing in our state, is seeking a part-time executive director. If you or someone you know would be interested in such a position, for details and how to apply contact Christian Lovell at christian@ilgrazinglands.org. Also, don’t forget to register for one of our informative Grazing Schools coming up on Sept. 7-8 in southern Illinois and Sept. 15-16 in northern Illinois.

Enjoy some fair time with family and stay safe and sane!