Hayson Ranch

05/15/2026

Found these beauties in the pastures this morning. Regenerative ranching is definitely increasing beneficial insect populations here.

12/21/2025

Anyone out there know much about or have experience with virtual fencing? I see the advantages with big acreages, but wonder how it would work for multiple day moves on smaller acreages. Also, which brands are most reliable. At what point do you put collars on calves in a cow/calf operation? I’m really showing my ignorance on this subject! So much to learn!

12/19/2025

Here is an update on our new grazing plan. The past few years, we rotationally/strip grazed around the entire ranch. Our recovery periods ranged from 40 to 60 days. We ran out of grass around January 1st and fed hay for about 2 1/2 months. We only let them graze about 40-50% of the forage. This year we only rotated around 1/2 of the ranch, but because we let them graze down to a few inches, it slowed the rotation down and we had similar recovery times. We actually found that the regrowth was leafier with closer plant spacing. The other half of the ranch, we stockpiled all year. The idea is not only to build up “standing hay” to feed in the winter but to let the forage mature to a point where the plants use their energy to feed soil microbes instead of for growth and reproduction. We will see with soil samples this spring how well we built soil organic matter. The concern some expressed to us is that the stockpile would not have enough nutrition for our cows. If we only stockpiled warm season grasses I think that would be true. But because cool season grasses, fescue, rye grass, even clover grew into the stockpile this fall, nutrition seems to be good. The stockpile is so thick, that we are giving less than an acre per day. It looks like we will be able to graze until late January, saving lots of money. As you can see in the pictures, body condition on the cows is doing well.

11/30/2025

Thats one way to do it.

Im not a big fan of feeding out of bale rings, but sometimes it just makes sense.

11/24/2025

Rain or shine!

11/23/2025

11/22/2025

The girls have transitioned well into the stockpiled forage. I cant wait for Spring to get here!

11/20/2025

The girls found some clover along the edge of the stockpile. Score!!!

11/16/2025

This 2024 Model caught my eye this morning. She was confirmed bred in October and is set to throw her first calf this Spring. We sure are excited about her future.

Anyone else using the Idexx Alertys OnFarm pregnancy tests?

We have used them for a few years now and find them to be accurate and convenient.

11/16/2025

They made him work for it this morning! Carson had to re-teach gate entry and exit procedures. Academics were completed with a stern point, and the girls heeded his instruction. Good Job, Carson!