“Young people need to learn from experienced farmers,” said Greg Judy. He encourages all farmers to build their passion.
Greg Judy runs a profitable, managed grazing operation at Green Pastures Farm. He uses pasture stockpiling so his livestock collect their own winter feed. Known by many as The Grass Whisperer, Judy manages his pastures for healthy soils, drought resistance and diversified forage. His ruminants improve land, soil and water quality without the use of fossil fuels. Judy explained his pasture management practices in the keynote address at the 2015 Northeast Organic Farming Association of Massachusetts Winter Conference. His presentation was called “Managing our Farms in Synch with Nature Heals Land and People”
Sanne Kure-Jensen
Judy views himself as a “steward of the land and the animals.” Green Pastures Farm does not own a tractor. Judy described livestock in feedlots as “fossil fuel consumers.” Feedlot meat producers use fuels to plant, fertilize, harvest and transport corn, soybeans and other feed. They use more fuel to remove and spread animal manure.
Diversity matters to Judy. He values livestock, plant, wildlife AND soil species diversity. He said, “For every new species you welcome to your farm, you make room for eight more.” Judy views an ecosystem like a spider web. Remove any strand and you weaken the whole web. He welcomes spiders in his fields; to Judy, that means his ecosystems are healthy.
Judy varies the number of livestock per acre and the time on each pasture with the time of year and field conditions. During periods of active growth, Judy mimics bison grazing patterns using portable electric fencing to contain and move livestock. Dense herds of mothers, calves and young bulls graze on the top third of plants. Judy then moves them to fresh pastures. Livestock that eat plant tops are less likely to pick up parasites and other pests typically harbored in the lower third of plants.
Intensive or mob grazing improves soils by depositing a sufficient density of manure across a relatively small area. Livestock hooves break up dead litter at the soil surface and trample pastures, ensuring good manure-litter-soil contact, which speeds decomposition and minimizes nitrogen loss to the atmosphere. The manure-litter-grass blend adds balanced organic matter to soils, increases drought resistance and feeds microorganisms, arthropods, insects, dung beetles, worms and pasture plants.
Judy works to change the notion that trampled plants are wasted because livestock did not eat them. He said, “Soil animals will eat them and pay you back with huge dividends in future grass sward.”According to Judy, “For every leaf or blade of grass trampled, two return.”
Recovery time varies with the time of year. Judy will not bring his herds back to a pasture until the plants have recovered sufficiently.
Herd density should correspond to the grazing season. When plants growth slows down or in winter, Judy reduced herd density and maximizes quality intake so his animals perform at their peak.
Green Pastures Farm does not use chemical fly control as this creates toxic manure paddies and kills soil organisms. Instead, the farm fields have tree swallow boxes to encourage natural insect control. Swallows swarm over Judy’s herds. Swallow can eat up to 8,000 insects per day. Manure paddies from untreated animals can have over 460 worms per paddy. (Judy and his intern counted the worms to verify their numbers.)
Overseeding pastures is not cost effective according to Judy. He explained, “Nature’s seeds are best. Let her plant them for us. Man’s seeds are not as good.” Rather than over-seed pastures, Judy encourages plant diversity and welcomes wildflowers in his pastures.
Green Pasture Farm works to retain all the rain that falls on the farm. By avoiding bare soils, they prevent erosion and protect water quality. Plants and healthy, un-compacted soils absorb nearly all available rain that falls for slow release to plants. Small streams feed on-farm ponds.
Livestock need access to clean, fresh water daily so they gain weight every day and are less likely to get sick.
To restore a hillside field of dry, old grass above a dry stream, Judy briefly grazed his animals there. The cows walked back and forth five to six times, pooping and peeing. He moved the herd promptly to prevent any rutting or erosion. A few weeks later, the area was green and lush. The dense vegetation prevented erosion and protected water quality when rains refilled the stream.
Judy’s pasture management works well with his livestock genetics. He said he “does not want giraffes with long legs.” Judy prefers short, stocky breeds with “big guts and with little, bitty legs. I select animals that can be fat and ready in 24 months.” Judy’s animals eat 3% of their body weight per day. Judy sells consistent, high quality product to his customers. Culls go to sale barns.
To help prevent or break pest and disease cycles, Judy rotates different species through his pastures. He loves hair sheep that “eat like goats on steroids, but they stay in.” Sheep are great for weed control and invasive plant management. Judy coppices invasives like Autumn Olive and lets his animals graze the new shoots.
As part of his diversification, Judy is experimenting with permaculture. He does not plan huge landscape changes or earthmoving but has begun planting trees for food – both for livestock and people. Judy removes cedar trees from pastures but leaves a few thorny trees. The thorns protect the bark from livestock allowing the trees to grow into mature shade trees.
Judy said local Conservation Districts offer dozens of varieties of tree seedlings for as little as 30 cents/tree. Judy planted honey locust trees on a savannah. The locust beans are 33% fructose and make great livestock feed.
“Young people need to learn from experienced farmers,” said Judy. He teaches widely and encourages all farmers to read everything they can and build their passion.
Judy also works to educate consumers. Green Pastures Farm offers scheduled farm tours. Guests learn to appreciate nature and understand where their food comes from.
Judy recommends all farmers “be proud of what you do. Tell your story, every chance you get!” When he travels, Judy tells anyone seated nearby that he is a “grass farmer” raising livestock and explains his practices. He explains why his farm practices deliver a better product and why consumers should be happy to pay extra for grass-fed meats. Judy urges grass-fed meat producers to “Be a price setter, not a price taker.”
Maybe we should call Judy “The Worm Whisperer.” He is passionate about worms and their castings or black gold (ideal fertilizer). Judy explained that worms live up to seven years. One worm can produce 1.2 million ancestors in his 7-year life span. In ideal conditions, worms can produce 100,000 pounds of worm castings per year. Green Pastures Farm has up to 25 worms per square foot. Like spiders, worms are an indication of healthy soils, pastures and ecosystems.
Learn More
View videos of Greg Judy describing spring grazing management, moving livestock for maximum animal performance and speedy pasture regrowth at Green Pastures Farm here.
Hear Steve D'Agostino of "WICN Business Beat" interview Greg Judy and NOFA/Mass Winter Conference Coordinator, Cathleen O'Keefe here. The trio discussed building a profitable farming business while caring for land health.
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