WELCOME TO
STURGEON CREEK GENETICS
Tire Tank
This project was very important to us because we have no water lines on the farm. Sturgeon Creek circles the property making it nearly impossible to get water lines dug. For this project, we first had to rebuild a pasture pond that was very old.
Once we greatly expanded the pond and raised the dam, then we were able to run a water line that is gravity fed to our tire tank.
The tire tank was strategically placed so that it could water 60 acres of pasture so that we can rotationally graze.
As you can see from the photo, 4 different gates allow entry from 4 different directions.
The tire tank plumbing is essentially the same as a toilet. It has a float valve so that it will not overflow. It also has a cleanout valve underneath in case the entire tank needs to be cleaned.
Under the tire tank is geotextile fabric, number 4 gravel, and then lime on the top. At all times of the year, the surface is always solid.
Fence Line Feeders
These fence line feeders were created at Eden Shell farm in Kentucky. We built three of them. As you can see on the picture to the right, we are able to feed six 4x5 rolls at time. Where the hay sits is an elevated section of concrete keeping the hay above the cattle. Under the hooves is geotextile fabric, number 4 gravel, and lime. This keeps the cattle standing in dry ground all winter long. It also makes for a great bedding area for young calves.
This design allows for very little hay to be wasted. It also keeps boss cows from dominating younger females as well.
Gutter - Cistern Project
Rotational Grazing
Several years ago, after attending a grazing seminar, we adopted rotational grazing practices. The concepts are relatively simple. Cut your pastures into sections, rotate the herd regularly into new sections. Don't allow the cattle to graze the grass below a certain level.
Many benefits come with these practices. For starters, you gain more days being able to graze. Why? The grass essentially has a chance to get ahead of the cattle.
If you've ever mowed your yard, you have realized that the lower you set the deck, the longer it takes for the grass to jump back. The same applies to grazing. When the grass is left 4 inches and above, the recovering time is much faster.
One of the other huge factors is the endophyte in fescue.
Whenever we let grass grow in our pastures, the cattle are able to pick the parts of the grass that doesn't contain the endophyte.
We know endophyte fescue has huge negative impacts on the cow. It effects the blood flow which raises the internal temperature, resulting in cattle having a harder time getting bred and or staying pregnant.
Pictured to the right are real pictures of our pastures without lime or fertilizer.
