Herd behavior

Appropriate animal impact is a main area of focus at DS Family Farm. We are constantly trying to balance herd size with available forage over an area that will experience appropriate herd impact. The goal is to keep the herd happy while at the same time, animals are confined to an area of the pasture that receives the correct amount of impact. We are focused on positive animal impact to the pasture that includes:

• Hooves breaking crusted soil
• Old standing forage is stomped to the ground
• ALL plants in the area experience grazing pressure
• Manure and urine (nutrients) are distributed evenly

Cattle have a natural instinct to form a herd. It is the movement of animals in a herd that provides the valuable impact to the land that improves soil health, plant health and ultimately the health of the herd. It is an amazing design of nature, a regenerative design by our Creator.

Natural Herd Behavior

Through numerous past posts, we have highlighted the benefits of herding animals and the positive impact in healing land. Here we would like to share with you a sample of the social side of the herd. In daily interactions with our cattle, we have a unique relationship with most individuals in the herd. At the same time, we take for granted the relationships we observe between herd mates.

The following video will give you a glimpse of the social side of a cattle herd. As always, we invite you to stop by the farm to visit and see what really goes on in our pastures.