CRESTWOOD, Ky. — Derek Lawson is head beef cattle farmer at Foxhollow Farm in Crestwood. Foxhollow is a 1,300-acre, diverse sustainability and biodynamic agribusiness operation.

Among other ideals, it is committed to raising high-quality grass-fed beef using the most sustainable, animal-friendly farming practices.

It is Foxhollow’s strategy to pasture-raise cows that produce natural soil-enriching fertilizers as they move throughout the grazing areas. Pastures are stated to be of high-quality grasses grown without pesticides or commercial fertilizers.

Lawson said they have 30 paddocks for grazing which they separate with  temporary poly electric fencing. The smallest pasture division is 16 acres. The farm grows fescue, alfalfa and orchard grass. In warm seasons, the cattle graze in crabgrass and Bermuda grass.

The farm advertises: “The cattle are not confined in feedlots, but are allowed to graze upon lush, open pastures. A diet of nutritional grasses with no grains keeps our cows healthy and free of antibiotics and hormones.”

Lawson is a graduate of Murray State University and is completing his master’s research thesis on rotational grazing. He has worked at the farm for just under a year. He said he uses a holistic planned grazing system.

“I rotate cattle daily to small sections. They get just enough food, to until the next day,” he said. “This increases grazing efficiency, soil fertility and forage production. Our grazing pastures consist mostly of alfalfa, orchard grass and fescue grass.”

Lawson, who manages more than 300 cows, added to Dr. Amy Radunz’s five cow-herd winterizing tips (see related article) as follows:

•Body condition: “We keep a constant eye on animals. It has to do with the animals’ fat cover and we tell by looking. Carbs is what puts on condition.”

•Forage test: “We had not done any yet. But forage samples are sent to a lab.”

•Culling: “I cull harder than some for performance. I do both spring and fall calving. I also look for attitude in my cows.”

•Heifer replacement: “You need 10 to 15 good heifers. Right now we are still buying a couple of heifers to finish, but the majority are born here.”

•Winter feeds: “We start counting in the spring. We keep track of how many bales are being fed. In the fall, we see how many bales we fed last year and predict how tough that will be. For 30 to 90 days we figure one bale per head, per hay feeding day.”

He added. “Start early in the year to stockpile feed and graze the herd up until the grass is dormant.”