2018 Envirothon Special Topic Pastureland Management D E L A W A R E

Transcription

1 2018 Envirothon Special Topic Pastureland Management D E L A W A R E

2 Pastures Land composed of introduced or domesticated native forage species that is used primarily for the production of livestock. They receive periodic renovation and/or cultural treatments, such as tillage, fertilization, mowing, weed control, and may be irrigated.

3 Pasture Facts 2012 Grazing Land Statistics in Delaware Permanent pasture: 8,154 acres Pastured woodland: 2,219 acres Cropland in grazing rotation: 6,658 acres

4 Pastured Livestock Beef Dairy Horses Goats Sheep Primary goal of livestock is to provide meat, milk, wool, and recreation.

5 Livestock Biology Cattle, goats, and sheep are ruminants. They have four stomachs and undergo a special digestive process to break down the tough and coarse food they eat. When they first eat, they chew the food just enough to swallow it. The unchewed food travels to the first two stomachs, the rumen and the reticulum, where it is stored until later. When the animal is full from this eating process, it rests. Later, the animal coughs up bits of the unchewed food called cud and chews it completely this time before swallowing it again. The cud then goes to the third and fourth stomachs, the omasum and abomasum, where it is fully digested.

6 Livestock Biology Horses are a non-ruminant herbivore. Non-ruminant means that horses do not have multi-compartmented stomachs as cattle do. Instead, the horse has a simple stomach that works much like a human s. The equine digestive tract is unique in that it digests portions of its feeds enzymatically first in the foregut and ferments in the hindgut. The horse s digestive system really should be thought of as being in two sections. The first section has similarities to the pre-caecal digestive system of a monogastric animal such as the dog, man or pig. The second section is more like the rumen of a cow.

7 Livestock Biology Different grazing animal species have different forage preferences: Cattle generally prefer grasses over legumes. Cattle consume approximately 65 to 75 percent grasses, 20 to 30 percent broadleaf weeds and legumes, and 5 to 10 percent browse (shrubs or trees). Cattle harvest forages with their tongues, so very short forage height can limit bite size. With low levels of available forage, the amount that can be collected with each bite is small, and the animal will have to walk further to take more bites, allowing less time for chewing and ruminating. Horses are more selective than cattle, tend to spot graze, and bite off forage very closely. Horses consume approximately 70 to 80 percent grasses, 15 to 25 percent broadleaf weeds and legumes, and 0 to 5 percent browse.

8 Livestock Biology Different grazing animal species have different forage preferences: Goats select higher-quality leafy forage than cattle during grazing. They consume the more nutritious parts of coarse weeds, brush, grasses, and legumes. Goats consume a wider range of plants than cattle and tolerate bitter tastes including plants containing large amounts of tannins. The biting action and small mouths of sheep and goats allow more selective and lower grazing than the tearing action of cattle. Goats consume approximately 20 to 30 percent grasses, 10 to 30 percent broadleaf weeds and legumes, and 40 to 60 percent browse. Sheep consume approximately 45 to 55 percent grasses, 30 to 40 percent broadleaf weeds and legumes, and 10 to 20 percent browse.

9 Forages and what they provide Edible parts of plants, other than separated grain, that can provide feed for grazing animals, or that can be harvested for feeding. When animals take in food of plant origin, the energy contained in those plants is used for maintaining body functions (respiration, blood flow, and nervous system functions), for gain of tissue in growing animals, and for products (milk, wool). The synthesis of protein in the animal s body, which forms muscle, organs, soft body tissue, and animal products, should be the main objective of animal nutrition. Different kinds of animals and various breeds have different nutritional requirements during the year and acquire different values from forages and supplements.

10 What do Forages provide? The bulk of dry matter in plants is made up of three groups of organic compounds: Proteins Carbohydrates Fats Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the fuels that animal cells are capable of converting into various forms of energy. This energy is used for mechanical work of muscles, synthesis of macromolecules from simpler molecules, and for providing heat.

11 Forages In deciding what species or group of species to plant in your pasture, consider the animals that graze there, the soil conditions, and the ratio of grasses to legumes. Wet soils greatly limit the selection of grass species, as do extremely droughtsusceptible soils. The following is a list of several grasses and legumes that can be grown in Delaware. Tall Fescue: Suitable for beef cattle, non-breeding sheep and goats. An endophyte-free variety can also be used for breeding sheep and horses. Prefers high-fertility soil. Persistent grass, adapted to all of Delaware. Orchardgrass: Suitable for all livestock. Can grow in poorer soils than many other grasses. Persistent grass.

12 Forages Timothy: Suitable for all livestock. Short-lived and not drought-tolerant. Perennial and Tetraploid Ryegrass: Suitable for all livestock. Probably the highest quality grass. Can survive in wet soils, provided standing water does not persist. Short-lived compared to many perennial grasses. Does best when mixed with a legume..

13 Forages Reed Canarygrass: Suitable for beef cattle. Can survive in wet soils. Choose only low-alkaloid varieties (Palatin, Venture,and Rival). Drought-tolerant after establishment. Red Clover: Suitable for all livestock. Short-lived (two or three years). Does not do as well as alfalfa in hot, dry weather. Ladino Clover: Suitable for all livestock. Can survive in a wide variety of soils including wet areas. Good companion legume for most grasses.

14 Forages Alsike Clover: Suitable for all livestock except horses. Occasionally causes a photosensitivity in livestock. Grows on wet soils but is short-lived (three years). Alfalfa: Suitable for all livestock. Can be planted in combination with most grasses. Does not tolerate wet or acid soils or continuous grazing. Works well in intensive grazing programs. For most pastures, it is best to select one grass and one legume species. Experiences in Delaware indicate that tall fescue and orchardgrass work best. The best choice as a persistent legume for general use is ladino clover. Certain situations may warrant the inclusion of alfalfa or red clover.

15 Yield Distribution: Grasses & Legumes Cow/Calf Demand

16 Questions?

17 Pastureland Management: Our Goal: Manage Pasture Plants and Soil in the Most Sustainable Manner given the Farmer s Objectives

18 To Reach Our Goals We Use These Tools

19 Some Useful Definitions Stocking rate: The number of animals or animal live weight assigned to a grazing unit on a seasonal basis. Usually described in acres per animal unit or per animal. An animal unit is equal to 1000 lbs. Carrying capacity: The stocking rate that provides a target level of performance while maintaining the integrity of the resource base. Stock density: The number of animals or animal live weight assigned to a specific pasture area for a specific time period.

20 Some Useful Definitions Grazing management plan: a site specific conservation plan developed for a client which addresses one or more resource concerns on land where grazing related activities or practices will be planned and applied. Rotational Grazing: one portion of pasture is grazed at a time to allow the remaining portions of the pasture to rest. Pastures are typically split into small paddocks and livestock are moved from one paddock to another. Resting grazed pastures give forages time to recover and maintains productivity in the long term.

21 Need to Know Some Basics to do a Grazing Plan 1. How much does each head of livestock need to eat per day in pounds of Dry Matter? 2. How much does each acre of pasture average in production? 3. How is that production distributed? 4. What is the Forage-Animal Balance of the specific farm/ranch (Carrying Capacity)?

22 NASS Reports: Most Livestock Operations in the East Region of the U.S. are beef cow/calf operations. The average herd size is 23 cows with an average pasture size of 41 acres. We will say that the average mature beef cow will weigh 1200 pounds for our discussion. We will use these as our basis for doing some Grazier s Math today. These calculations are assuming using quality feed

23 What is a cow/calf operation? Permanent herd of cows is kept by a farmer or rancher to produce calves for later sale. Some operations sell the calves after they are weened and are less than a year old. Often time these calves go to feedlots. Other operations raise the calves for one or two years before selling them for meat.

24 Grazier s Math Foundations Calculating Animal Demand Forage Intake Rate in % of body weight Dry Cow 2-2.5% Lactating Cow 3-4% Dairy Cow 2.5-4% + grain Stockers % Sheep 3.5-4% Horse 2.5-4%

25 Grazier s Math Foundations Calculating Animal Demand Lactating Beef Cow Weighs 1200 pounds X eats 3 % of its body weight = 36 pounds of dry matter needed per day.

26 Grazier s Math Foundations Calculating Forage Supply In the East Region the Average Annual Pasture Production for a Cool Season Grass and Legume Mixed Stand Per Acre is about 3 tons per acre This is assuming the forage is not grazed to the ground, that is grazing to a 4 inch height. How is that production distributed?

27 P a s t u r e Y I e l d P o u n d s/tons Yield Distribution: CS Grasses & Legumes Cow/Calf Demand Cool-season Grass Red & White Clover

28 Production vs. Needs for Our Operation

29 Grazier s Math Foundations Calculating A Forage-Animal Balance What is the Forage-Animal Balance of the specific farm (Carrying Capacity)?

30 Forage/ Animal BALANCE Balance = PASTURE SUPPLY ANIMAL DEMAND > 1

31 Managed Grazing Balances the Animal s Demand with the Forage Supply Steps to determine the balance Determine the forage supply - pasture Determine animal demand needed intake See if they balance. If not, To Balance - Increase forage supply or Decrease animal demand for the balance

32 The Forage /Animal Balance of Pasture is determined by 4 factors PASTURE SUPPLY BALANCE (MUST 1) = Yearly Forage Production (lb) X ANIMAL DEMAND Seasonal Utilization Rate (%) Herd Intake Per Day X Length of the Grazing Season (days)

33 The Forage /Animal Balance of Pasture is determined by 4 factors PASTURE SUPPLY BALANCE (MUST 1) = Yearly Forage Production (lb)) X ANIMAL DEMAND Seasonal Utilization Rate (%) Herd Intake Per Day X Length of the Grazing Season (days)

34 The Forage /Animal Balance Pasture Supply s Yearly Forage Production (lbs) = Annual Yield lb/ac X Total Pasture ac.

35 The Forage /Animal Balance Pasture Supply = Yearly Forage Production (lbs) X Seasonal Utilization Rate (%)

36 Resting period in spring may be 30 days while in the summer it could be as long as 45 days depending on temperature and rainfall.

37 The Forage /Animal Balance When a large proportion of leaf area is removed, regrowth is usually slow due to a low rate of photosynthesis, and the need to use carbohydrate stores to satisfy both metabolic functions and initiate leaf growth. This impacts the root health too. It is important that enough residual leaves are left on the plant to allow photosynthesis to occur and regrow the plant (usually 3 to 4 inches depending on plant species and season of year). If excess growth is left on the plant, the resulting leaves will serve as canopy shading the lower levels of leaves with resulting decrease in photosynthesis and plant growth. X

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39 Grazing Utilization Seasonal # Grazing Utilization Pastures Period Rate 1 pasture Continuous 30% 4 pasture 7-10 days 35% 8 pasture 3-5 days 50% 12 pasture 2-4 days 65% 24 pasture days 70%

40 The Forage /Animal Balance ANIMAL DEMAND Intake Per Day for the herd X Length of the Grazing Season (days)

41 The Forage /Animal Balance ANIMAL DEMAND Intake Per Day for the herd X Length of the Grazing Season (days)

42 Existing or Benchmark condition: (a continuous grazing operation 30% Utilization) 23 beef cows weighing 1200 pounds each 41 acres effectively available for continuously grazed pasture, averaging 6000 pounds per acre in yield. 210 day grazing season

43 The Forage /Animal Balance For Our Example Operation Pasture Supply Forage Supply Yearly Production = 6000 lb/ac X 41 ac Forage Supply Yearly Production = 246,000 lbs

44 Pasture Supply is determined by 2 Major Factors Pasture Supply = 246,000 X Seasonal Utilization Rate (%)

45 Pasture Supply is determined by 2 Major Factors PASTURE SUPPLY (continuous grazing) Pasture Supply = 246,000 X 30 (%) = 73,800 lbs.

46 Animal Demand Factors ANIMAL DEMAND Intake Per Day for the Herd = % Intake of Body Weight Per Head Per Day in Lbs. X No. of Head

47 Animal Demand Factors ANIMAL DEMAND Intake Per Day for the Herd = 3% of 1200 pounds = 36 pounds per day X 23 cows 828 Pounds =

48 Animal Demand Factors ANIMAL DEMAND 828 pounds Per Herd Day X Length of the Grazing Season (days)

49 Animal Demand Factors ANIMAL DEMAND 8288 pounds X 210 (days) 173,880 = Pounds

50 The Forage /Animal Balance 0.42 = PASTURE SUPPLY 73,800 Pounds ANIMAL DEMAND 173,880 Pounds

51 This is the situation on many East Region Cow/Calf operations This operation is overstocked so the farmer could: Decrease cow herd size Provide supplemental feed on sacrifice area Implement rotational grazing and provide supplemental feed on sacrifice area Increase pasture acres with more land and implement rotational grazing

52 This is the situation on many East Region Cow/Calf operations So why is this important: Economics of grazing, more forage on the farm means less that has to be purchased Higher quality forage translates to healthier livestock and can get them to market faster Protects resource base for more sustainability

53 Other factors to consider in this situation Additional fencing for rotational grazing Additional labor for moving cows through paddocks Additional waterers Increase pasture acres with more land and implement rotational grazing

54 Questions?

55 Forage Health Nutrient Management Plan: Soil testing Yield goals Nutrient recommendations Implementation 4Rs, Right: Source Rate Time Place Benefits: budget, supply, and conserve nutrients for plant production minimize agricultural nonpoint source pollution of surface and groundwater properly utilize manure or organic by-products as a plant nutrient source protect air quality by reducing odors, nitrogen emissions (ammonia, oxides of nitrogen), and the formation of atmospheric particulates maintain or improve the physical, chemical, and biological condition of the soil

56 Short Canopy Medium Canopy Tall Canopy

57 Conservation Planning 9 steps Inventory Resources

58 Pasture BMPs Pasture/ Hay Planting Warm Season & Cool Season Grass varieties Fencing Livestock Watering Facilities Grazing Management/Plan Forage Harvest Management

59 Animal Trails and Walkways Fencing and Forage and Biomass Plantings Livestock Waterers, Wells and Pumps

60 Water Requirements

61 Function (boundary, cross or division fence) Livestock type (cattle, sheep, horses, mature or young) Cost and material life Fencing Requirements

62 Farmsteads Land used for facilities and supporting infrastructure where farming and animal husbandry. This may include dwellings, equipment storage plus farm input and output storage and handling facilities. Also includes land dedicated to the facilitation and production of high intensity animal agriculture in a containment facility where daily nutritional requirements are obtained from other lands or feed sources.

63 Farmstead BMPs Waste Management Plan Waste Storage Structures Roof Runoff Management/ Roof Guttering/ Underground Outlets Heavy Use Area Protection Animal Mortality Facilities Fencing

64 Heavy Use Area Pad / Sacrifice Area

65 Roof Runoff Management and Waster Transfer Liquid Manure Storage Structure Manure Storage Structure

66 Wildlife Considerations For most wildlife, a mixed stand of grasses (especially native grasses), forbs, and legumes will provide optimum food and/or cover. Manage the plant community so that it provides the necessary species composition, plant height, structure, and density for the desired wildlife species. Reduce grazing during critical nesting periods. Use only light grazing pressure during the nesting season (April 15 to August 15), and do not graze below 6 inches to maintain habitat for ground-nesting birds. To provide winter cover, allow sufficient recovery time in the fall so that the stand is at least 8 inches in height before dormancy.

67 Questions?

68 2018 5th Topic Oral Presentation Scenario: Pastureland Management John and Sarah Marshall are both in their early 30 s and have recently purchased a 65-acre farm on the eastern side of Sussex County, Delaware. They are not new to farming and this venture for the young couple is their dream. John and Sarah were both born and raised on a farm milking cows and growing hay. Together, they envision their new home to include a small beef cow / calf operation, goats, backyard chickens, barn, and a farm house. Last year they applied for a loan to purchase this land through the Delaware Young Farmers Program administered by the Delaware Farmland Preservation Program, Delaware Department of Agriculture. The loan was awarded, in full, and now they are ready to move forward with their long-range goals. John and Sarah want to convert the existing 50-acre crop fields to pasture and hayland. There are 10 acres of mixed upland and lowland forest on the farm. Numerous surface drainage systems can be found throughout the property and one of the existing crop fields contains a ½ acre pond that was primarily used for irrigation. In their effort to be good stewards-of-the-land and accomplish their goals, they have turned to Sussex County Conservation District for help. The District has experts on pasture/hayland management and livestock management needs, soil conservation practices, and forestry and wildlife (aquatic & upland game species). As a Conservation Planner it is your job to work with John and Sarah to provide a management plan for their 65-acre farm and to optimize their grazing potential. They would also like to mitigate their impact to water quality, maintain their profitability, attract wildlife, and be good stewards of the land. All proposed solutions must be real-world and reflect best management practices.