Herdetider

Herdetider is a term used in Nordic agricultural contexts to denote scheduled times associated with the care and management of a herd of livestock. The word is rooted in Danish and Norwegian language traditions and is often used in farm planning to refer to the daily or seasonal timetable that governs movements, milking, grazing, and veterinary checks.

Etymology and meaning: The term combines words for herd and time, reflecting its function as a timetable that structures when and how livestock are moved, fed, watered, and tended. It emphasizes predictable routines to support efficient herd management.

Usage and practices: In practice, herdetider cover routines such as morning and evening milking, rotation of grazing blocks, feeding windows for hay or silage, transport between pastures or housing, and regular health or welfare checks. Establishing clear herdetider can help synchronize labor, optimize resource use, and improve animal welfare by ensuring consistent handling, adequate rest, and access to water and shelter.

Regional context and English equivalents: The concept is most commonly found in Danish and Norwegian agricultural literature. In English-speaking contexts, similar ideas may be described as a herd management schedule, milking timetable, or grazing and care timetable, though terminology varies by region and farming system.

Notes: Herdetider are practical planning tools rather than fixed standards. Practices differ by species (cattle, sheep, goats), climate, pasture availability, and farm scale, but the underlying goal is organized, humane, and efficient herd care.