Paddock Layout and
Design
Before Building Fence
Guideline #1: Flexibility
Before Building Fence
Guideline #1: Flexibility
Guideline #2: Walk pastures
and use maps
Before Building Fence
Guideline #1: Flexibility
Guideline #2: Walk pastures
and use maps
Guideline #3: Have at least 11 paddocks
Paddock Layout Design
Fixed or Flexible
Before Building Fence
Guideline #4: Use a psychological barrier
Perimeter: Good perimeter fence
Internal:
Low cost electric
Train:
Stocker cattle
Before Building Fence
Guideline #4: Use a psychological barrier
Perimeter: Good perimeter fence
Internal:
Low cost electric
Train:
Stocker cattle
Guideline #5: Similar paddock production,
not size
Uniform Production is Key!
• Each Paddock in the System should contain
enough land to produce Approximately the
same forage DM (Dry Matter)
–
–
–
–
varying soil types
paddock size
productive capabilities
forage species
Before Building Fence
Guideline #6: Fence with the contour
of the land
Before Building Fence
Guideline #6: Fence with the contour
of the land
Guideline #7: Walkways on higher,
drier soils
Before Building Fence
Guideline #8: Limit access to streams
Before Building Fence
Guideline #8: Limit access to streams
Guideline #9: Plan now for water supply
Before Building Fence
Guideline #8: Limit access to streams
Guideline #9: Plan now for water supply
Guideline #10: Plan for access to
emergency areas for drought, floods
and mud
Number of Paddocks in System
• As the # of Paddocks increases the level of
Management also increase!
• The length of Grazing period should be…SHORT
• Move Livestock Before Grazed Plants Regrow
– Vary by season
– 2 - 3 days -- Spring
– 4 - 5 days -- Summer
Paddock Size VS. Grazing pressure
(livestock # & weight)
• # of Paddocks is determined by Grazing
pressure…Which will affect Paddock Size
• Small enough to be Grazed Before
Regrowth
• No Ideal number…11 often used in 3 day
systems giving 30 days of Rest (works well
for legumes)
Paddock Layout
• Square Paddocks -- as near as possible
– uniform grazing
– lower fence cost/acre
• Wagon wheel designs are the Poorest
– poor utilization
– poor manure distribution
– Increased fencing cost
How Many Paddocks Are Needed
• No. of paddocks =
Days rest
+1
Days grazing
• 15 day rest/ 3 days grazing = 6 paddocks
• 15 day rest/ 5 days grazing = 4 paddocks
• 30 day rest/ 3 days grazing = 11 paddocks
• 44 day rest/4 days grazing = 12 paddocks
How Big Should the
Paddocks Be
?
What You Need to Know:
1) Amount of feed animal needs from pasture =
[(A X B) - C] X D
A = Total body weight of all animals
B = DM requirements per day
Beef & Sheep - 2.5% - 3% of body weight
Dairy - 3.5% - 4% of body weight
C = Supplemental feeds (silage, hay, grain)
D = Length of grazing period
What You Need to Know:
2) Available forage from the pasture =
[(D - E) X F] X G
D = Forage height in paddock
E = Remaining stubble
F = DM yield per acre
Range - 100 - 500 pounds of
DM per inch of growth per acre
G = Utilization rate (75% - 90%)
Beef Example:
[(37,500# X 3%) - 0] X 1day =
1,125 pounds of dry matter (DM) needed
A = 30 beef cows @ 1250 pounds each =
37,500 pounds of body weight
B = DM requirement/day 3%
C = 0 = No supplemental feed
D = 1 = One day paddock
Beef Example (cont.):
[(8” - 3”) X 300#] X 75% =
1,125 # available DM
D = Pasture at 8” tall
E = 3” remaining stubble
F = 300# DM
G = Utilization rate 75% (25% wastage)
Beef Example (cont.):
Therefore, 1 acre with 1,125# of available DM
will supply the DM requirements of the 30 cows
for one day.
Dairy Example:
[(135,000# X 4%) - 1800#] X 0.5 days =
1,800# dry matter (DM) needed for 1/2 day paddock
A = 100 dairy cows @ 1350# each =
135,000 pounds of body weight
B = DM requirement/day 4%
C = 1800# grain mix
D = 0.5 = One half day per paddock
Dairy Example (cont.):
[(8” - 3”) X 300#] X 85% =
1,275 # available DM
D = Pasture at 8” tall
E = 3” remaining stubble
F = 300# DM
G = Utilization rate 85% (15% wastage)
Dairy Example (cont.):
Therefore, approximately 1.5 acres with 1,275#
of available DM will supply the forage requirements
of the 100 dairy cattle for half a day.
Sheep Example:
[(37,500# X 3%) - 0#] X 1 day =
1,125# dry matter (DM) needed
A = 250 ewes @ 150# each =
37,500 pounds of body weight
B = DM requirement/day 3%
C = 0 = No supplemental feed
D = 1 = One day per paddock
Sheep Example (cont.):
[(8” - 3”) X 300#] X 75% =
1,125 # available DM
D = Pasture at 8” tall
E = 3” remaining stubble
F = 300# DM
G = Utilization rate 75% (25% wastage)
Sheep Example (cont.):
Therefore, 1 acre with 1,125# of available DM
will supply the DM requirements of the 250 ewes
for one day.
Case Farm
- Existing
114 acres
Case Farm Intermediate
Plan
6 areas
Case Farm Final Plan
10 paddocks
and flexible hay
grazing area
Safety First!!!!!
Call Before You Dig!!!
1 - 800 - 362 - 2764