Greg Judy Talks Drought and Silvopasture

Greg and Jan Judy of Clark, Missouri run a grazing operation on 1400 acres of leased land that includes 11 farms. Their successful custom grazing business is founded on holistic, high-density, planned grazing. They run cows, cow/calf pairs, bred heifers, stockers, a hair sheep flock, a goat herd, and Tamworth pigs. They also direct market grass-fed beef, lamb and pork. Greg's popularity as a speaker and author comes from his willingness to describe how anyone can use his grazing techniques to create lush forage, a sustainable environment and a successful business.

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August 17, 2020

4 Comments

Bill Beaman says:

August 7, 2018 at 1:30 pm

Thanks for an excellent video. I think silvo-pasture is an excellent idea. I would be wary of honey locust trees. Deer and cattle love those pods. I believe (no expert) that the pods contain honey locust seed and the ruminants do an excellent job of spreading the trees. So good, that while deer hunting the past few years I’ve seen pastures lost to thick stands of honey locusts. The thorns are wicked and the trees are hard to kill. thanks again.
- Greg Judy says:
  
  August 7, 2018 at 1:57 pm
  
  Bill you are absolutely right about honey locust trees spreading. With proper management we are controlling them. Our sheep devour the smaller trees before they get a chance to hardly grow. Its best to have an animal that will eat it and produce healthy meat from it.
  
  Honey locust groves are considered “Honey Holes” for deer. They can attract deer better than a food plot and the beans last all winter long for valuable winter feed.
  
  I labored for many years cutting and painting costly herbicide on these trees. I got pretty good at killing them. Now we just control the ones we don’t want with livestock that eat them, while making money from trees that used to cost us money to eradicate. It all comes back to management of our resources.
  - Elizabeth Judy says:
    
    August 22, 2018 at 9:20 pm
    
    Do you know if the sheep will eat the thornless honey locust tree or just the thorny kind? Love your blog!
    - Greg Judy says:
      
      August 24, 2018 at 11:23 am
      
      Elizabeth,
      
      Our sheep will aggressively ho after all Locust trees. We have been coppicing them for years and grazing the new tree sprouts. The baby Thurn trees are the first thing they eat when turned into a new pasture.

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