Although electric fence and posts were moved every couple weeks, posts had a nail-like tip that was relatively easy to drive into the frozen ground. Moving fence took considerably less time than baling, hauling bales and feeding baled hay, Volesky said. Volesky thinks the concept has practical application in Nebraska but suggests trying it first in a small area. The Sampson Range and Pasture Management Endowment helped fund this research. IANR research found meadow hay that is cut, windrowed and left in the field provided 1.17 pounds of average daily gain to weaned calves.
Calves perform well and windrowing saves the cost of hay baling and hauling.
Windrowed hay in a wintry Sandhills meadow.