Setting up a Livestock Grazing System

Transcription

1 Setting up a Livestock Grazing System Adapted with permission from Improving Grazing with Watering System and Fence by Robert Zupancic, NRCS Grazing Specialist Elysia Rodgers ANR Extension Educator-DeKalb County Purdue Extension February 21, 2018 Key s to successful Grazing Management Soil Fertility Proper forages and forage intake Adequate number of pastures Watering Systems Fence Putting it all together 1

2 Soil Fertility Soil Test (every 2-4 yrs) Apply lime and fertilizer based on soil test Apply fertilizers at the correct times of the year Livestock recycle 50-80% of the P and K For Maximum Forage Production the soil needs to be adequately fertilized Forages Perennial cool-season forages should be the dominant pasture Warm-season forages should fill in the summer slump (10-20% total acres) Adequate rest periods will naturally increase the quantity and quality of existing forages 2

3 Undersander, et al., Pastures for Profit: A Guide to Rotational Grazing, University of Wisconsin A3529 Grasses Regrowth Potential Legume Compatability Winter Hardiness Ease of Establishment Drought Tolerance Flooding Tolerance Species Persistence Cool Season Italian Ryegrass E F P E F F P Kentucky Bluegrass G P E G F F G Orchardgrass E P G G F F G Perennial Ryegrass E F P E F F P Quackgrass E G E N/A G F E Reed Canarygrass G P E P G E E Smooth Bromegrass F G E G F F G Tall Fescue E G F E F F F Timothy F G E G P P P Warm Season Indiangrass G P G P E G E Big Bluestem G P G P E P G Sorghum/Sudan G P N/A E E F N/A Switchgrass 01/05/2018 G P G P E P 5 G Undersander, et al., Pastures for Profit: A Guide to Rotational Grazing, University of Wisconsin A3529 Legumes Regrowth Potential Bloat Problem Winter Hardiness Ease of Establishment Drought Tolerance Flooding Tolerance Species Persistence Alfalfa G Yes E G G P G Alsike Clover P Yes G E P G P Birdsfoot Trefoil F No E P P F E Kura Clover E Yes E P G F E Ladino Clover P Yes G E P G P Red Clover F Yes G E P F F White Clover G Yes E E G F E 01/05/

4 Oregon State University Forage Information System 01/05/ What is the best forage harvester on your farm? Silage pit Fertilizer spreader Forage Tester GPS Guidance System Haybine brush hog Production Facility Self Propelled Self Motivated Cultivator planter 4

5 Vegetation Preferences (Texas AMU) % of Diet Cattle Goats Horse Grass Legume/Broadleaf Weeds Browse Grazing Management is Forage Management 5

6 Influence Forage Intake Grazing Time (minutes/day) Biting Rate (bites/minute) Bite Size (g intake/bite) Rotational Grazing Improves Forage Quality Allows better quality forages to compete with fescue Take Half, Leave Half Allows plenty of Leaf Area for quick regrowth Doesn t stunt or kill roots Keeps soils cooler Prevents rain runoff Prevents weed encroachment 4 6

7 Freshly Grazed Photosynthesis Low Depletion of Energy Reserves Slow Growth Lush Vegetative Growth Photosynthesis High Renewal of Energy Reserves Rapid Growth Flowering or Seeding Photosynthesis reduced due to shading Energy diverted to flower and seed production Slow Growth Rotational Grazing Leave at least 4 green forage remaining Rotate pastures every 1-8 days depending upon forages, time of year, and stocking rate Overall treat pastures more like a hayfield than a typical pasture days of rest X X X X X X 7

8 01/05/ Paddock Rest is Important Spring/Fall rotate every 4-6 days Summer rotate every 6-10 days Always leave a 3-4 inch residual 8

9 Where Do You Start? Goals Farm base Acres Water Topography Time commitment Where Do You Start? Pick 1 or 2 things that you can change 9

10 Pasture Layout Laying Out Pastures 10

11 Laying out Pastures Forages Topography Soils Water Shade Congregation Areas Fence Laying out Pastures Tools: Web Soil Survey Aerial Photos Topo Maps 11

12 Laying out Pastures No Magic Size or Shape 6 8 pastures a minimum Square typically best Pie shape least preferred For Cattle < 800 ft walking distance For Small Ruminants < 600 ft walking distance Water 12

13 Water Providing Water is not a PROBLEM It s a set of DECISIONS to make Why Is Water Important Water Intake drives Food Intake Clean, Cool Water Water temperature effects intake > 80 degrees F or < 40 degrees F Reduce water intake Missouri Studies Providing water in the paddocks increased water consumption by 15% Less than 800 ft walking distance increases manure distribution and improves grazing 13

14 Commitment of Improving Watering Systems Now it s just: 1) Questions 2) Answers 3) Options 4) Decisions Water Questions Sources of Water? Pond, Spring, Well, Rural Water Where s the Source Located? Uphill, Downhill, Distance How do I Move It? Gravity or Pressure Livestock Type and Number? Affects volume and waterer style 14

15 Permanent System? Flexible System? Hybrid System? Permanent System Buried Waterline Fixed tank locations and gravel pads Advantages Freeze proof Lower maintenance Less Labor Disadvantages Higher initial cost Not as flexible 15

16 Flexible System Advantages Unlimited paddocks and tank outlets Less expensive than trenching in pipe Less impact from permanent watering sites if managed correctly Waterlines above ground Primarily Portable Tanks Disadvantages More long-term maintenance Must be careful of water temps Not Freeze Proof More labor Combination of Permanent and Flexible System Advantages Less upfront cost than permanent Typically allows for the most paddocks for the least expense Easier to adjust than the Permanent system, especially when setting up a new grazing system Winter paddocks can be freeze proof Disadvantages Not completely freeze-proof Over time much of the above ground pipeline will probably be replaced with below ground pipeline Requires more labor than a permanent system 16

17 Photo by USDA NRCS Photo by USDA NRCS Geotextile & Gravel 17

18 Pond Access Ramp Amount of Water Needed NRCS Recommends 30 gal / 1,000 lbs animal / day Cattle 1,300 lb cow = 39 gal / day 30 cow herd = 1200 gal / day = 36,000 gal / month Drink 2 gal./min. for 4 min. (8 gal) 3 5 times per day 18

19 Amount of Water Needed NRCS Recommends 30 gal / 1,000 lbs animal / day Sheep or Goats 150 lb goat = 4.5 gal / day 100 goats = 450 gal / day = 13,500 gal / month Pipeline Size Walking Pipe Distance Size to Water? Gallons per Minute Determines (Inside Diameter) size of the waterer Affects grazing patterns Summer Grazing or Year Around Grazing? Length of pipe? Affects the size of pipe needed Gravity vs. Pressure (500 ft pipe; 50 ft head; 40 PSI) 3/ ¼

20 Watering Facility Location Walking distance critical Water consumption If < 800 ft and all animals can see waterer Livestock will go to water as individuals or in small groups Therefore smaller waterer needed If > 800 ft or they cannot see waterer Livestock will go as a group Need a larger water reservoir 20

21 Watering Facility Location Grazing Efficiency Better grazing distribution across the pasture if < 800 ft Under Utilized Over Grazed Putting it in to perspective 800 feet =0.15 miles Conference Center 21

22 Questions about Water??? Fencing 22

23 Fencing Options Exterior vs. Interior? Exterior should meet Indiana Fence Law Permanent vs. Temporary? Temporary allows you to split paddocks Electric vs. Non-electric? Post spacing, wire types, maintenance Livestock Species Differences Beef, Dairy cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, horses Different post types? Wood, fiberglass, plastic, steel, composite Indiana Fence Law Fence law provisions are in the Indiana law (IC ) Purdue University Publication EC

24 Permanent vs. Temporary Permanent vs. Temporary Permanent High initial cost Limited Maintenance cost Carries more electricity over more miles Temporary Very Flexible Not as dependable for certain species or animals Higher long-term cost 3-7 yr lifespan 24

25 Exterior Woven wire Cost $2-$3/ft Pros Readily available Good for sheep Add 1 to 2 strands of barbed wire at top for cattle Cons Expensive Requires routine maintenance 25

26 4- to 10-strand Smooth Wire Cost $1 $2/ ft, depending on number of wires Pros Cons 4- to 5-strand good for horses Expensive 10-strand will contain all large Requires routine maintenance livestock and exclude large wildlife Durable Can be electrified 4-strand Barbed Wire Cost Varies Pros Low cost Easy to install Fairly low maintenance Cons Dangerous to people, livestock and wildlife Not suitable for horses Not useful for small animals Can be damaged by large wildlife USU, Logan, UT 26

27 Electric Ribbon Cost 1½ inch ribbon $.15/ft Wood post $8-$12 T-posts 6 $7-$8 Insulators $.25-$.50 each Pros Cons Versatile Cost and availability of Easy to install and electricity or solar modify source Can be used to make Maintenance existing fence more Not a good choice for a effective permanent fence Easier to see than other types of electric fencing USU, Logan, UT Interior Photo by USDA NRCS 27

28 Temporary Quality is important 28

29 Where Do You Go From Here? NRCS Conservation Plan Purdue Cooperative Extension Service Local Pasture Walk or Field Day Internet Resources 29