Mobile Shade at Henson Farm
Farming runs deep at Henson Farms in Williamsville, Missouri. “I’m fourth generation,” says Jeff Henson, whose great-grandfather purchased the family’s land in 1913. More than a century later, three generations of Henson’s still live and work on the farm. Jeff and his brother manage the family’s 300-acre row-crop and cattle operation, along with Henson Farm Supply—a […]
Farming runs deep at Henson Farms in Williamsville, Missouri. “I’m fourth generation,” says Jeff Henson, whose great-grandfather purchased the family’s land in 1913. More than a century later, three generations of Henson’s still live and work on the farm.
Jeff and his brother manage the family’s 300-acre row-crop and cattle operation, along with Henson Farm Supply—a farm goods store founded by their father in the 1950s. “My Dad founded the farm supply store in 1957 and incorporated it and the farm,” notes Henson. “My brother and I run everything now. He handles most of the day-to-day at the store, and I run the farm and fertilizer side.”
The farm supply store sells everything from hay equipment to bush hogs to fertilizers – serving as a hub for the surrounding rural communities.
Back on the farm, Henson runs 400 to 500 head—mostly black-hided cattle with a few Charolais-cross and red cattle. He began rotational grazing in 1997, one of the county’s oldest grazing systems, still going strong nearly three decades later.
“We started out with 65 acres and 30 pairs,” says Henson. “Now that system covers about 300 acres and supports 90 cow/calf pairs, rotated every three days through 15- to 20-acre paddocks.” The pastures are a mix of fescue and orchard grass, along with 100 acres of Bermuda grass for hay and grazing.
Additionally, Henson runs four more cow-calf herds through a similar 3-day rotation and three herds on a 7-day rotation through fields about 20 miles from the home farm.
“We started out with 65 acres and 30 pairs,” says Henson. “Now that system covers about 300 acres and supports 90 cow/calf pairs, rotated every three days through 15- to 20-acre paddocks.” The pastures are a mix of fescue and orchard grass, along with 100 acres of Bermuda grass for hay and grazing.
Additionally, Henson runs four more cow-calf herds through a similar 3-day rotation and three herds on a 7-day rotation through fields about 20 miles from the home farm.
The Need for Shade
As his grazing system expanded, Henson saw a need for shade in paddocks without trees. “When I started the grazing system back in the late 90s, it was the NRCS’s stance that cattle didn’t need shade,” he recalls. “Well, you need shade in southeast Missouri—there’s just no getting around it.”
Of course, the NRCS has changed its stance on shade backed by multiple studies revealing improved production, conception rates and health of cattle with access to shade.
Researching the best mobile shade for cattle, Henson ultimately invested in two SH1200 Shade Haven mobile shade systems, aided by EQIP funding. “I move the Shade Havens daily, about a hundred feet at a time,” he explains. “I put them in areas I want the cattle to use more. It seems to be doing exactly what I wanted.”
Each Shade Haven is equipped with an oiler/scratcher unit for grooming and fly control, adding another layer of comfort and herd health. “Even if they’re not under the shade, they’ll walk over to use the scratchers,” Henson says.
For Henson the Shade Havens improve both pasture utilization and cattle performance. They’ll also play a key role as he divides his paddocks into smaller paddocks. “I would like to focus more on the cattle and push them a little harder,” he adds. “That’s where the Shade Havens come in. I actually plan on purchasing two more.”
