Cows naturally follow a daily rhythm, with periods of activity spread throughout the day and more rest during the night.

The graph below shows cow behaviour over a 24-hour period on one of our grazing farms in Australia. As the sun rises, cows become more active, spending more time grazing and less time lying down. A second peak in activity typically occurs later in the day. After midnight, activity gradually decreases, and most cows settle down to rest.

When setting up ABC Grazing, we aim to align gate times to the next paddock not only with the farmer's daily routine but also with the cow's natural behaviour patterns. That's why many farms in cluster Oceania schedule their first grazing period between 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM, taking advantage of the cows' natural increase in activity at the start of the day.

By working with the cow's natural rhythm, we can help encourage better cow flow and make the most out of the pastures.

What grazing times are you using on your farm?