Moving the Herd Twice Daily: How Rotational Grazing Builds Soil and Nourishes Grass-Fed Beef

This is the first in a series of blogs highlighting the daily work of our farmers and herds at Misty Brook.

If you visit Misty Brook Farm on any given day, you’ll likely find Ken out in the pastures guiding one of our beef herds to fresh grass. Last week in the Elwell Fields, we joined him as he moved a group of cattle from one section of pasture to the next. It’s a scene that plays out all across the farm, and while it may look simple, this steady rhythm is at the heart of how we care for both our land and our animals.

Why Move the Herds Twice a Day?

Instead of leaving the cows in one large area, Ken sets them up on smaller sections for a short, intense grazing period. They eat a wide mix of grasses, clovers, and whatever else is growing, while their manure fertilizes the soil and their hooves press seeds and nutrients back into the ground. By the time they move on to fresh pasture later that day, the first section is already beginning its recovery.

This cycle happens in every field where our herds graze. Over time, the result is healthier soil, stronger grasses, and animals that thrive on a constant salad bar of diverse forage. It’s a regenerative process that builds fertility, sustains the land, and supports our 100% grass-fed beef program.

Weather and the Summer Growing Season

This spring and early summer brought rain nearly every weekend, giving the pastures a strong start and providing the cows with abundant, lush forage. As summer has gone on, conditions have turned drier and grass growth has slowed.

Because we rely on pasture, this can be a challenge — but Ken’s daily rotations help ensure the beef herd stays well supported. On other parts of the farm, irrigation from our ponds helps keep pastures growing, and thanks to hay reserves from last year’s strong haying season (plus extra cuttings earlier this year), we can supplement as needed. Even in a dry spell, the cows continue to receive fresh grass and balanced nutrition.

What This Means for Our Beef

Raising certified organic, 100% grass-fed beef in Maine takes dedication. Ken’s commitment to moving the herds twice daily is what keeps the animals thriving through shifting seasons and weather. The cattle are looking excellent heading into fall, and we’ll begin processing beef sides in October.

Looking at the Bigger Picture

While this story focuses on Ken and the beef herd, he’s not the only one guiding animals across our pastures. Every day, our team works together to keep multiple herds and flocks moving. Ken does the lion’s share with the beef steers and dairy heifers, and also manages the pig moves. Tierney manages a nurse mom group with both dairy and beef cows and calves, and also coordinates the chicken rotations. Brendan usually manages the daily moves for the dairy cows, Becca oversees the sheep, and Katia manages another nurse mom group. Together, it’s a coordinated effort that keeps the land fertile, the animals thriving, and the farm ecosystem in balance. We’ll share more about these other herds in future articles.

Reserving a Side in 2025

We have a limited number of beef sides available this fall through January. Sides are priced at $7.45/lb hanging weight, plus $65 slaughter & $1.10/lb hanging weight for processing. Each side generally hangs around 220 lb and yields about 145 lb of cuts. A $300 deposit reserves your side. To place your order, call Katia at 207-437-4719.

For cooking guidance, visit our Cooking & Storage Tips page to learn simple methods that bring out the best flavor and texture from our grass-fed meats.

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