2015 Farm Walk Program Education for Farmers, by Farmers

Transcription

1 2015 Farm Walk Program Education for Farmers, by Farmers Green Bow Farm Multi-Species Rotational Grazing of a Family Farmstead Monday, April 27, 2015

2 2015 Farm Walk Program Schedule Mar 30 Utilizing Compost & Vermiculture to Build Soil Fertility - Spencer Farm, Malaga Apr 27 Multi-Species Rotational Grazing of a Family Farmstead - Green Bow Farm, Ellensburg May 18 Organic Farming & Pollinators: Assessing Pollinators on Your Organic Farm - Wobbly Cart Farm, Rochester Jun 1 Jun 8 Cover Cropping on a Diversified Vegetable Farm, plus soil blocking hands-on! - Let Us Farm, Oakville Building Soil Tilth: Grazing Sheep on Cover Crop - Zakarison Partnership, Pullman Jun 15 Sustainable Farmstead Goat Dairy - Mystery Bay Farm, Nordland Jun 29 Organic Pest & Disease Management in Apples & Pears - Leach Orchards, Zillah Jul 13 Farm-to-Resort: Agritourism with a Certified Organic Garden - Sleeping Lady Mountain Retreat, Leavenworth Jul 27 Behind the Brew: Organic Hops Production - Perrault Farms, Toppenish Aug 10 Freshly Pressed: Washington s First Certified Organic Cranberry Farm - Starvation Alley Farms, Long Beach Aug 25* Building Food Community: Nisqually Tribal Community Garden Program - Nisqually Tribal Community Garden, Dupont Sep 14 Accessing Land as Beginning Vegetable Farmers - Quackenbush Farm, Ridgefield Sep 28 Organic Apple Orchard & Cidery: Two Businesses in One - Sinclair Orchards & Ciderhouse, Carlton Farm Walk Basics: *Unless otherwise noted, all Farm Walks are held on Mondays from 12:30-4:00pm with sign-in beginning at noon. Cost is $15 for Tilth Producers Members/farm interns / agriculture students and $25 for nonmembers. Pre-registration is encouraged to avoid a $5 fee for day-off registration. For more information and to register, visit

3 Farmer to Farmer: Passing on the Wisdom 2015 Farm Walk Education Series Sponsored by: Tilth Producers of Washington tilthproducers.org WSU Small Farms Team smallfarms.wsu.edu Multi-Species Rotational Grazing of a Family Farmstead Green Bow Farms 1809 Howard Rd. Ellensburg, WA Table of Contents Section 1: About the Farm Section 2: Pasture and Hayland Renovation for Western Washington and Oregon by S. Fransen and M. Chaney Rotational Grazing by A. Beetz and L. Rinehart Section 3: Additional Resources Front Cover Photo: 2014 Farm Walk at Ode to Joy Farm, Enumclaw. Photo credit: Lauren Vanderlugt

4 Section 1 About the Farm Christina Miller and Matthew Cox are the owner/operators of Green Bow Farm. Christina provided this lovely history of their farm. In 2011, we started looking for a piece of land to build a homestead on. In the years that we lived in Seattle, we always had a small backyard urban farm growing fruits and vegetables, raising a flock of chickens, and keeping several beehives. We wanted more food than we could produce on our small piece of land, but really we wanted more animals. Our biggest desire was to be able to have grass-fed meats and milk we had produced that we could cure, ferment, and cook in any way we wanted. In our search for our homestead, we found the pasture lands we wanted in Central Washington. It was a close enough to commute while we made the transition to farming but it also allowed us more land than what we planned to start a farm with. With this in mind our plans became much bigger than homesteading. With very little actual experience in agriculture we had this crazy notion that we could start farming on a scale large enough that we could feed lots of people not just ourselves. Before we moved onto the farm we set out to build infrastructure on this piece of land that was mostly a blank slate. It was a small parcel from what had been years before a farm over a hundred acres large and the only thing left from it on our parcel was the flood irrigation. It had very little fencing and only a couple of three sided horse shelters for out buildings. Our first big project was creating a pond and dam that would allow us to access the back pastures with a tractor. Later, it would also be used to collect tail water that ran through the ravine in what would become our main source to irrigate our pasture land. As soon as we moved onto the farm we set about field fencing the perimeter, working on grants for a more efficient irrigation system, and most importantly we added lots more chickens and our first flock of sheep to the farm! It was just a small start but it gave us a crash course in farming since we had never raised anything but chickens before. We knew we wanted to raise animals on pasture to get the nutritional benefits of grass-fed foods but we didn t know how we were going to go about it. We had seen Joel Salatin speak, read several books on pasture management, and constantly read Stockman s Grass Farmer, and everything kept pointing us towards multi-species rotational grazing. The way the poultry and ruminants worked together to build topsoil and keeps parasites to a minimum appealed to us from an environmental standpoint but also as new farmers with a small piece of land. It seemed to optimize the fertility not only of our pastures but gave us chicken manure from the mobile chicken tractor to turn into compost we could grow food with for ourselves and for farmers markets.

5 Once we had decided to practice multi-species rotational grazing, we also felt like we needed to find breeds that would work well for our land. We have hot summers but at an elevation of almost 2000 feet we can sometimes have long, very snowy winters that last through spring where it is still cold and windy until June. We picked Icelandic Sheep because they are very good mothers and birthers, but also because they both graze and browse which we felt would be beneficial to the way we wanted to rotate the animals together. We also chose Scottish Highland Cattle for similar reasons. For most of the year, the sheep and cattle are moved around pasture together. The main time of the year that they are not together is in March and April during lambing season. We move the chicken tractor behind the sheep and cattle but in a much slower rotation. With the chickens we look for areas we feel could use better soil fertility, based on grass growth, and use those decisions as a part of our rotational practices. There was also a matter of learning how to move all of the animals. The laying hens were pretty straight forward once we had mobile chicken tractors on wheels, but the sheep and cattle were still a bit of a learning curve. Every season, month, week, and day find better ways to practice the multi-species rotational grazing and a huge part of that is our farm dogs. We have one herding dog, Bella, our border collie. We also have two Great Pyrenees, Lulu and Bobby, who are our Livestock Guardian dogs. They are all still very young dogs and a huge part of what we do is work on training them but we wouldn t be able to have so many animals out on pasture especially the chickens and sheep without them. On our 23-acre farm we have almost 500 laying hens for eggs, 34 breeding sheep (plus lambs for meat and fiber), 6 breeding cows (plus calves for meat), and a fluctuating amount of heritage Bourbon Red turkeys and Red Ranger chickens for meat. With the manure from our mobile chicken tractors and winter shelters, we create compost that we grow heirloom tomatoes with for market and this year we will also be growing culinary and medicinal herbs on a larger scale to sell. We will sell these herbs fresh but also start working towards turning them into added value products like spice rubs, sauces, and dried herbs to compliment the grass pastured eggs and meats we already sell at farmers markets and to our CSA members. We also turn our Icelandic sheep fleeces into a traditional Lopi yarn and sell it online and at markets. In addition, we have had success selling our Icelandic Sheep hides mostly online and they have made raising such a small breed of sheep financially feasible. We have had huge growth in the three years that we have been farming but we are still always looking for new ways to be more sustainable both financially and in our farming practices.

6 EB1870 PASTURE AND HAYLAND RENOVATION FOR WESTERN WASHINGTON AND OREGON Steven C. Fransen and Marty Chaney This publication is designed to help you achieve a successful forage seeding whether you re a beginning or experienced forage producer. It s divided into sections so you can focus on the information you need, whether this is basic species facts and seeding methods, or just a list of the latest recommended cultivars. It contains recommendations for seed mixes and seeding techniques on pasture and hayland based on soils, climate, and intended use of the area. For additional assistance, contact your local Cooperative Extension office, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Conservation District office. Before you begin, here are some general observations that apply to all sites. First, evaluate the current management of the site. If you re ready to reseed, then you must not like what is growing on the site. However, what is growing there now is what is best adapted to how the site is currently being managed. If the area is reseeded, but the management is not changed, then soon the site will return to its present condition. Management changes might include more cross-fencing to allow more intensive rotational management, moving current fences so that different soil types are not fenced together into one unit, or creating a winter confinement area to protect pastures when soils are saturated and the grass isn t growing very fast. For more details on these techniques, refer to WSU Extension Bulletin 1713, Protecting Groundwater: Managing Livestock on Small Acreage, by Schmidt and Wolfley (1997). Generally, don t renovate more than 20% of the fields or acres in one year. Pasture or hayland forage will still be needed before the new seedings are ready to be used. Summer drought or winter flooding weather may damage or kill the new seeding before the plants have become established. Evaluate the current soil status with a soil test. Contact your local Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Conservation District office for information on how to take a soil test and where to have it analyzed. Does the soil need lime? Prior to forage renovation is an excellent time to apply lime or other elements. Oregon State University Extension Bulletin FG 63 gives fertilizer and liming recommendations for western Washington and Oregon forage fields. Because magnesium is of- This publication is part of the Farming West of the Cascades series

7 ten at low levels in these soils, you may wish to use dolomitic lime rather than agricultural lime. Seed at the recommended time of year for the appropriate soil type. Seedlings are very easily damaged or killed by droughty topsoil, high soil temperatures, saturated soil, or frost heaving. If the new seeding is on land recently converted from forest, a soil test is especially important, because many nutrients and minerals will be out of balance for good grass and legume growth. If no test is available, fertilize with a N:P:K:S fertilizer with a ratio 3:1:2:1 and a rate of no more than 75 units of nitrogen per acre per application. Apply lime at a rate of at least 5 tons per acre. Species selection is critical to the long-term success of the planting. If the species are not adapted to the intended use or the site, the best seedbed preparation in the world won t make the seeding successful. Use Table 1 in this publication to select species that are adapted to the soils in the field and the intended use. Soils are categorized by winter and summer drainage. If the slope is greater than 15%, the soil will tend to act like the soils in the next drier category in the table. Multiple-species mixtures versus two-species mixtures: While at least one species in a multiple-species mixture will always grow no matter what the conditions, these mixtures are hard to manage for grazing or haying because the species often differ in palatability, maturity, adaptation to different soils, yield potential, and growing season conditions. Selective grazing, whereby we see patchy grazing, occurs when some species are avoided and other species are overgrazed in mixed stands. Multiple-species mixtures can be managed successfully under intensive grazing management systems. For less intensive grazing systems and for hay, a simple mixture with only a single grass and a single legume species is recommended. Seed tags will list minimum germination and purity. Germination is the percentage of seed in the bag that will germinate and grow. Purity is the actual amount of the species of seed you want to buy. Other materials may include chaff, dirt, and weed seeds. While the tag may say that no noxious weed seeds are present, many obnoxious weed seeds may be present. These are common weeds such as dandelion, dock, lambsquarters, or thistles. Buy the purest seed you can find. Don t scrimp on pennies per pound; it will save dollars in aggravation later. Kill the existing vegetation before reseeding. Plants with roots and leaves will always win the competition with seeds, so to favor the seeds, kill the undesirable plants. The existing vegetation can be killed either chemically or mechanically. If the field was in grass and is being reseeded directly back to grass, try to allow at least 4 weeks between initial plowing or discing and reseeding to allow breakdown of green vegetation. Compacted soil layers should be broken up before reseeding. Almost all fields west of the Cascades that have deteriorated enough to need reseeding also have soil compaction problems in the crop rooting zone. Fields that have been grazed in the winter are the most likely to have a compaction problem. Compacted soil restricts root growth, access to soil nutrients, and summer moisture. Compaction also restricts water penetration through the soil, resulting in soggy, ponded fields during the winter and spring and prematurely droughty fields in the summer. Tools such as subsoilers or aerators work well for this purpose. Take care when using subsoilers in fields that contain drain tile as the tools may damage the tile. Seeding depth is critical. Grass and legume seeds are extremely small; if buried too deep in the soil, they will run out of energy before they reach the surface (think of lettuce seed and how deep it s planted in the garden). Never seed deeper than 1 /4 inch. It s better to seed too shallow than too deep, even if it means broadcasting seed directly on the soil surface. While a cultipacker seeder will do the best job of seeding, broadcasting seed followed by a light harrowing on a firm seedbed will usually give acceptable results. A firm seedbed is essential. If the soil is too fluffy, it will dry out quickly and any small seedling perched on top of the soil clod will dry out and die. Packing the soil with a roller is best, but repeated harrowing or dragging before seeding (with 2 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

8 a light harrowing afterwards) will also give acceptable results. Evidence of a firm seedbed is found when you can walk over the prepared seedbed and leave footprints no deeper than 1 /4 inch. Firm seedbeds produce more even seedling emergence that covers the open soil more quickly. Weed control (including undesirable grasses) at and after seeding is critical to the success of a new seeding. Ignoring this step will return you to pre-seeding condition, or worse. Control of problem perennial weeds, such as Canada thistle, before seeding is most quickly accomplished with a herbicide currently recommended for control. However, Canada thistle can be controlled by persistent clipping prior to flowering. Repeated tilling or mowing of the area throughout the growing season prior to seeding will reduce (but not necessarily eliminate) weed infestations. The best method of weed control after seedling emergence is by clipping. Forage seedlings are too small and would be damaged if grazed at this time. Annual weeds generally grow faster than seedling grasses and legumes so they are taller. Clipping above the growing forage plants and removing the weed growing points stunts or kills the weedy plant. As the forage plants develop deeper and stronger root systems they soon can compete with the weeds. Young grasses and legumes may be susceptible to herbicide damage. In a new stand without legumes seeded, a wide range of herbicides can be used for broadleaf weeds. After these weeds are controlled, the legume can be overseeded. However, keep in mind that overseeding is not always successful, as the new legume seedlings are now competing with established plants. If grassy weeds are the problem, then these weeds should be controlled prior to seedbed preparation. Before letting livestock out on your beautiful new pasture, use the Pull Test to determine readiness. Grab a single plant and give a sharp tug. If you can pull the plant out of the soil, so can livestock. Don t let livestock graze new seedings until they pass the Pull Test. After a new seeding has passed the Pull Test, for the next 90 days allow livestock to graze only lightly in a pasture rotation system to ensure healthy root development. In the meantime, it s fine to mow the field for hay or green feed to a 4 stubble height. Selecting Your Species Table 1 will help you select the adapted species for both your soil type and the intended use of the field. The most common uses include: Grazing or grazing/haying. This field will be used primarily for grazing, but may also be used for one or more cuttings of hay during the summer. Hay only. This field will not be used for grazing, only for haying of perennial species. (See WSU Extension Bulletin 1897). Exercise or confinement area. This is a small field that will receive heavy use from livestock. This field is used primarily for livestock exercise or as a holding area, not for forage production. These are perennial species that will help reduce the amount of annual weeds common in these areas. Temporary cover. This is any field with bare soil exposed which needs a temporary cover to protect it from erosion or to help suppress annual weeds. This cover can often be used as forage. Suggested species for this use can be found in Cogger, et al. (1997). On steeper slopes (greater than 15%), soils will often behave like the next drier soil type (one step higher in Table 1), because moisture will drain from them more quickly. Grass, Legume, and Grass Descriptions For use by wildlife species, consult a wildlife habitat guide for the species of interest. General note: Yield estimates are based on an average to high level of fertility. Low-fertility sites will have low yields for all species. Perennial Grasses 1. Bentgrass (Agrostis spp.) Characteristics non-native perennial (most species), vigorous sod-former, with growing points occurring above the soil level. 3 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

9 Table 1. Forage species adaptation by use and soil type. Soil Type Use: Grazing only or Grazing & Hay Use: Exclusively for Hay Use: Exercise or Confinement Area Use: Temporary Cover 3 Excessively drained, very dry in summer. Recommended seeding season: Fall. Tall Fescue Orchardgrass Alfalfa Red Clover White Clover Birdsfoot Trefoil Subclover 5 Tall Fescue Orchardgrass Alfalfa Red Clover White Clover Bentgrass Fine Fescue Tall Fescue White Clover Annual Ryegrass Barley Cereal Rye Spring Wheat Winter Wheat Triticale Austrian Winter Peas 4 Subclover 5 Well-drained all year or shallow soil. Recommended seeding season: Spring or Fall. Tall Fescue Orchardgrass Annual Ryegrass Perennial Ryegrass Alfalfa Red Clover White Clover Birdsfoot Trefoil Subclover 5 Tall Fescue Orchardgrass Alfalfa Red Clover White Clover Bentgrass Fine Fescue Tall Fescue White Clover Annual Ryegrass Perennial Ryegrass Barley Oats Cereal Rye Spring Wheat Winter Wheat Triticale Austrian Winter Peas 4 Subclover 5 Somewhat poorly drained in winter and early spring. Recommended seeding season: Spring or Fall. Tall Fescue Annual Ryegrass Perennial Ryegrass Alsike Clover White Clover Big Trefoil Birdsfoot Trefoil Tall Fescue Timothy Alsike Clover White Clover Big Trefoil Birdsfoot Trefoil Bentgrass Fine Fescue Tall Fescue White Clover Annual Ryegrass Perennial Ryegrass Barley Oats Cereal Rye Spring Wheat Winter Wheat Triticale Austrian Winter Peas 4 Saturated in late fall, winter and spring. Recommended seeding season: Fall. Reed Canarygrass 1 Meadow Foxtail 1 Tall Fescue Alsike Clover White Clover Big Trefoil Birdsfoot Trefoil Reed Canarygrass 1 Meadow Foxtail 1 Tall Fescue Timothy Alsike Clover White Clover Big Trefoil Birdsfoot Trefoil Reed Canarygrass 1 Meadow Foxtail 1 Bentgrass Fine Fescue Tall Fescue White Clover Oats Cereal Rye Mixed drainage: dry uplands and wet swales. Recommended seeding season: Fall. Tall Fescue Annual Ryegrass Perennial Ryegrass Alsike Clover White Clover Big Trefoil Birdsfoot Trefoil Meadow Foxtail 1 Tall Fescue Orchardgrass 2 Timothy Alsike Clover Red Clover White Clover Big Trefoil Birdsfoot Trefoil Meadow Foxtail 1 Bentgrass Fine Fescue Tall Fescue White Clover Annual Ryegrass Perennial Ryegrass Barley Oats Cereal Rye Spring Wheat Winter What Triticale Austrian Winter Peas 4 1 Seeding not recommended. For management and rejuvenation of existing stands, see species information. 2 Use only in a mix with other species. 3 Clip or graze all grains before the seedheads appear, or awns may cause mouth and eye irritation in livestock. Winter Wheat and Austrian Winter Peas should be used for fall seedings only. 4 See species information for specific feeding recommendations. 5 This species is most adopted south of the Lewis River on the westside. 4 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

10 Table 2. Seeding Rate Calculator Fill in the Roughly percentage Multiply Well- prepared of each selected prepared, seedbed, species rate times tilled little or desired in desired Selected SPECIES seedbed no tillage the seeding *** percentage variety Place an x in the box under seedbed selected: Rates for permanent grass and legume seedings: Grasses: 1. Bentgrass (Agrostis spp.) 5 8 % 2. Bluegrass, Kentucky (Poa pratensis) % 4. Fescue, Fine (Festuca rubra) % 5. Fescue, Tall (Festuca arundinacea) % 7. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) % 8. Ryegrass, Annual or Italian (Lolium multiflorum) % 9. Ryegrass, Perennial** (Lolium perenne) % 10. Timothy (Phleum pratense) % Legumes: 11. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) % 12. Clover, Alsike (Trifolium hybridum) 3 5 % 13. Clover, Red (Trifolium pratense) 8 12 % 14. Clover, White (Trifolium repens) 3 5 % 15. Trefoil, Big (Lotus uliginosus) 3 5 % 16. Trefoil, Birdsfoot (Lotus corniculatus) 5 8 % Rates for temporary cover or clean-up crop: Annual Cereal Grains: TOTAL: (sum of each column) % lb/acre 17. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) % 18. Oats (Avena sativa) % 19. Rye, Cereal (Secale cereale) % 20. Wheat (Triticum vulgare) % 21. Triticale (Triticosecale spp.) % Annual Legumes: Rate for each species seeded by itself (lb/acre)* Rate for supplementation to grass seeding) 22. Austrian Winter Peas (Pisum sativum arvense) % 23. Subterranean (Sub-) clover (Trifolium subterraneum) 6 8 % TOTAL: (sum of each column) % lb/acre *These rates assume 90% seed germination. If germination is less than 90%, either increase seeding rate by difference, or use different seed lot with 90% gemination. **This seed size is for tetraploid ryegrass. Diploid ryegrasses have approximately twice as many seeds per pound. Calculate the pounds of seed needed per acre by multiplying selected rate (well- prepared or rough seedbed) by percentage ***Limit the number of species in a mix to minimize selective grazing and uneven production due to differing palatabilities, plant size, and maturity dates. 5 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

11 Longevity 10+ years Palatability for livestock moderate Yield moderate Fertility needs low to moderate Site adaptation droughty to wet soils Shade tolerance moderate Toxicities none known Uses forage production (pasture); confinement areas Seedling establishment relatively rapid Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 4,990,000 Other does well on acid soils 2. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) Characteristics non-native perennial, sod-former, with growing point occurring at the soil level. Longevity 10+ years Palatability for livestock high Yield moderate Fertility needs moderate to high Site adaptation well drained to moist soils Shade tolerance moderate Toxicities none known Uses forage production (pasture); confinement areas Seedling establishment slow Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 2,150,000 Other this species is not well-adapted to western Washington and Oregon because it is susceptible to rust and powdery mildew which reduces forage quality. It also requires a soil ph around 6.5 and a high level of fertility to remain competitive. Colonial bentgrass (top) Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis spp.) 3. Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) Characteristics non-native perennial, sod-former, with growing points occurring above the soil level. Longevity 10+ years Palatability for livestock low to moderate Yield high Fertility needs high Site adaptation moist to saturated soils Shade tolerance low Toxicities plant indole alkaloids are related to low animal acceptance Uses forage production (pasture, hay, and silage) Seedling establishment slow Seedling vigor slow 6 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

12 Average number of seeds per pound 506,000 Other because of low seedling vigor, it is most successfully established with rhizome pieces. Vigorously discing and harrowing the field will rejuvenate sodbound stands. Because reed canarygrass is so invasive, do not introduce it into fields where it is not already present. Palatability decreases rapidly after maturity, so it is best to maintain it between 4 and 12 inches in height. Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) 4. Fine fescue (Festuca spp) such as Red fescue (Festuca rubra) Characteristics non-native perennial, bunchgrass to strong sod-former, with growing points occurring at the soil level, or slightly below. Longevity 10+ years Palatability for livestock low to moderate Yield low Fertility needs low to moderate Site adaptation droughty to wet soils Shade tolerance moderate to high Toxicities endophyte fungus may be present in some turf varieties Uses confinement areas Seedling establishment moderate Seedling vigor moderate Average number of seeds per pound 615,000 Other rust (particularly in the autumn) and powdery mildew 5. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) Characteristics non-native perennial, bunchgrass, with growing points occurring at the soil level Longevity 10+ years Palatability for livestock moderate throughout the grazing season Yield high Fertility needs low to high Site adaptation droughty to wet soils Shade tolerance moderate to high Toxicities internal fungus (endophyte) produces toxic products which are related to lower livestock gains and reproduction problems in horses. Toxin is concentrated in seedhead tillers and basal leaf sheaths. Endophyte-free varieties are available. Uses forage production (pasture, hay and silage), confinement areas Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) 7 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

13 Red fescue (Festuca rubra) Seedling establishment moderate Seedling vigor moderate Average number of seeds per pound 225,000 Other susceptible to crown and stem rust which may affect yield. Crown rust resistant varieties are available. 6. Foxtail, Meadow (Alopecrus pratensis) Characteristics non-native perennial, bunchgrass with short rhizomes Longevity 10+ years Palatability for livestock high when very young, low most of the year Yield moderate Fertility needs moderate to high Site adaptation moist to moderate Shade tolerance low Toxicities none known Uses forage production (pasture) Seedling establishment slow Seedling vigor low to moderate Average number of seeds per pound 500,000 Other very cold tolerant 7. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) Characteristics non-native perennial, bunchgrass, with growing points occurring at the soil level Longevity 10+ years Palatability for livestock high throughout the grazing season Yield high Fertility needs moderate to high Site adaptation droughty to moist soils Shade tolerance high Toxicities none known Uses forage production (pasture, hay and silage) Seedling establishment moderately rapid Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 540,000 Other susceptible to stripe rust which reduces forage quality while not affecting yield Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) 8. Annual/Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) Characteristics non-native perennial, bunchgrass, with growing points occurring above the soil level Longevity 1 to 4 years depending on the harshness of the winter 8 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

14 Palatability for livestock high throughout the grazing season Yield high, declines after first year if fertility and management decline Fertility needs high Site adaptation moist to wet soils Shade tolerance moderate Toxicities internal fungus (endophyte) produces toxic products that are related to lower livestock gains and reproduction problems in horses. Toxin is concentrated in seedhead tillers and basal leaf sheaths. Endophyte-free varieties are available. Uses forage production (pasture and silage), confinement areas and corrals for temporary cover Seedling establishment rapid Seedling vigor rapid Average number of seeds per pound 190,000 Other susceptible to stem rust which may affect yield. Forage production declines more than most species during dry summer growth period, but resumes with fall rains and extends into winter. Foxtail, Meadow (Alopecrus pratensis) 9. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) Characteristic non-native perennial, bunchgrass, with growing points occurring at the soil level (diploid varieties) or slightly above the surface (tetraploid varieties) Longevity 5 to 8 years Palatability for livestock high throughout the grazing season Yield high, may decline after 3 to 5 years if fertility and management are reduced Fertility needs high Shade tolerance moderate Toxicities internal fungus (endophyte) produces toxic products that are related to lower livestock gains and reproduction problems in horses. Toxin is concentrated in seed head tillers and basal leaf sheaths. Endophyte-free varieties are available. Uses forage production (pasture and silage), confinement areas and corrals Seedling establishment rapid Seedling vigor rapid Average number of seeds per pound 225,000 Other susceptible to stem rust which may affect yield. Forage production declines more than other species during dry summer growth period, but resumes with fall rains and extends into winter. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) 9 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

15 Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) 10. Timothy (Phleum pratense) Characteristics non-native perennial, bunchgrass, with growing points occurring above the soil level Longevity 2+ years in pasture and 10+ years with hay and silage Palatability for livestock moderate to high Yield moderate Fertility needs moderate Site adaptation moist to saturated soils Shade tolerance low Toxicities none known Uses forage production (hay and silage) Seedling establishment moderate Seedling vigor rapid Average number of seeds per pound 1,300,000 Other forage production declines more than most species during dry summer growth period Perennial Legumes 11. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Characteristics non-native erect perennial Longevity 3+ years in pasture and longer with hay and silage Palatability for livestock high Yield high Fertility needs moderate to high Site adaptation dry to well-drained soils not suited to soils with high water tables Shade tolerance low Toxicities bloat Uses forage production (pasture, hay and silage) Seedling establishment moderately fast Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 225,000 Other cultivars susceptible to verticillium wilt, bacterial wilt, fusarium root rot, spring black stem, sclerotinia crown and stem rot, and Ascochyta are more likely to suffer greater stand losses. To maintain productive stands keep soil ph around 6.5. Annual/Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) 12. Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) Characteristics non-native semi-erect perennial Longevity 2+ years in pasture and longer with hay and silage 10 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

16 Palatability for livestock high Yield moderate to high Fertility needs moderate Site adaptation well-drained to saturated soils Shade tolerance low Toxicities bloat, photosensitivity and liver damage in horses Uses forage production (pasture, hay and silage) Seedling establishment rapid Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 682,000 Other susceptible to bacterial wilt, fusarium root rot, rhizoctonia, powdery mildew, and sclerotinia crown and stem rot Timothy (Phleum pratense) 13. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) Characteristics non-native semi-erect perennial Longevity 2+ years in pasture and longer with hay and silage Palatability for livestock high Yield moderate to high Fertility needs low to moderate Site adaptation dry to moist soils Shade tolerance low Toxicities bloat, estrogen levels may cause conception problems in sheep Uses forage production (pasture, hay and silage) Seedling establishment rapid Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 281,000 Other susceptible to bacterial wilt, fusarium root rot, rhizoctonia, powdery mildew, and sclerotinia crown and stem rot 14. White clover (Trifolium repens) Characteristics non-native prostrate perennial Longevity 10+ years Palatability for livestock high Yield moderate Fertility needs low to moderate Site adaptation well-drained to wet soils Shade tolerance low to moderate Toxicities bloat Uses forage production (pasture, hay and silage), confinement areas Seedling establishment rapid Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) 11 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

17 Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 800,000 Other susceptible to sclerotinia, crown and stem rot, rhizoctonia, fusarium root rot Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) 15. Big trefoil (Lotus uliginosus, Lotus major) Characteristics non-native prostrate perennial Longevity 10+ years Palatability for livestock high Yield moderate Fertility needs low to moderate Site adaptation moist to saturated soils Shade tolerance low to moderate Toxicities none known Uses forage production (pasture, hay and silage) Seedling establishment slow Seedling vigor moderate Average number of seeds per pound 1,000,000 Other susceptible to sclerotinia, crown and stem rot, rhizoctonia, fusarium root rot, and verticillium. Better adapted to grazing than birdsfoot trefoil. Difficult to find seed. 16. Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) Characteristics non-native prostrate perennial Longevity 10+ years Palatability for livestock high Red clover (Trifolium pratense) White clover (Trifolium repens) 12 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

18 Yield moderate Fertility needs low to moderate Site adaptation well-drained to saturated soils Shade tolerance low to moderate Toxicities none known Uses forage production (pasture, hay and silage) Seedling establishment slow Seedling vigor moderate Average number of seeds per pound 470,000 Other susceptible to sclerotinia, crown and stem rot, rhizoctonia, fusarium root rot, and verticillium Annual Cereals 17. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Characteristics non-native Longevity 1 year Palatability for livestock high Yield moderate Fertility needs moderate Site adaptation well-drained to moist soils Shade tolerance moderate Toxicities none known Uses forage production (pasture, hay and silage) Seedling establishment rapid Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 13,600 Other generally winter-hardy in this region, similar to spring wheat, but less so than winter wheat Big trefoil (Lotus uliginosus, Lotus major) 18. Oats (Avena sativa) Characteristics non-native Longevity 1 year Palatability for livestock high Yield moderate Fertility needs moderate Site adaptation well-drained to saturated soils Shade tolerance moderate Toxicities none known Seedling establishment rapid Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 16,000 Other will tolerate standing water for short periods of time. Least winter-hardy of cereals grown in the region. Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) 13 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

19 Barley (Hordeum vulgare) 19. Cereal Rye (Secale cereale) Characteristics non-native Longevity 1 year Palatability for livestock high; may taint the flavor of milk in lactating cows Yield moderate to high Fertility needs moderate Site adaptation well-drained to saturated soils Shade tolerance moderate Toxicities discourages the growth of other plants (allelopathy). Do not plant a permanent seedling directly following plowing, discing, or chemical control of cereal rye. Uses forage production (pasture, hay and silage) Seedling establishment rapid Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 18,200 Other most winter-hardy of cereals grown. Generally, this is the tallest cereal grain for forage in the region. Oats (Avena sativa) Cereal rye (Secale cereale) 14 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

20 20. Wheat (Triticum vulgare) Characteristics non-native Longevity 1 year Palatability for livestock high Yield moderate to high Fertility needs moderate Site adaptation well-drained to moist soils Shade tolerance moderate Toxicities none known Uses forage production (pasture, hay and silage) Seedling establishment rapid Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 11,400 Other spring wheats are only moderately winter-hardy Wheat (Triticum vulgare) 21. Triticale (Triticosecale spp.) Characteristics non-native Longevity 1 year Palatability for livestock high Yield moderate to high Fertility needs moderate Site adaptation well-drained to moist soils Shade tolerance moderate Toxicities none known Uses forage production (pasture, hay and silage) Seedling establishment rapid Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 12,300 Other spring triticales are more winter-hardy than spring wheats. Triticales are leafier than cereal rye and taller than spring wheat. Annual Legumes 22. Austrian Winter Peas (Pisum sativum arvense) Characteristics non-native Longevity 1 year Palatability for livestock high Yield low to moderate Fertility needs moderate Site adaptation well-drained to moist soils Shade tolerance low Toxicities none known Uses forage production (pasture, hay, and silage) Triticale (Triticosecale spp.) 15 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

21 Seedling establishment rapid Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 18,000 Other if the soil is too cool and wet, germination is significantly reduced. This species should be planted together with a cereal for best results. Reduce seeding rate to 50 lb/acre when seeding with a companion cereal. Austrian winter peas (Pisum sativum arvense) 23. Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) Characteristics non-native prostrate, winter annual Longevity vigorous, self-reseeding annual Palatability for livestock high Fertility needs low to moderate Site adaptation dry shallow to well drained and south of Lewis River in Washington State. Shade tolerance low Toxicities lower risk of bloat and estrogens in mixed grass stands Uses forage production (pasture, increases soil fertility through good nitrogen fixation) Seedling establishment rapid Seedling vigor good Average number of seeds per pound 60,000 Other susceptible to slug and pill bug damage in the fall. More successful use of subclover in Oregon compared with Washington due to slightly warmer winter temperatures. Intensive grazing after seed is matured enhances establishment. Seeding Methods (plowing steep slopes will increase erosion hazard) Spring Seeding Methods 1. Renovation using minimal herbicide for fields with few weed problems Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) a. Control problem perennial weeds the year before reseeding. 16 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

22 b. The fall prior to seeding, apply lime as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, apply 2 to 5 tons per acre, depending on the previous history of the field. c. Graze the field in early spring to remove early growth vegetation. d. Plow or disc old sod as early in the spring as possible. e. Harrow to prepare a smooth, firm seedbed. f. Fertilize as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, fertilize with a N:P:K:S fertilizer with a ratio 3:1:2:1 and at a rate of no more than 75 units of nitrogen. g. Plant to desired pasture species as early as possible, but usually no later than May Renovation using minimal herbicides for fields with severe weed problems a. The year before reseeding, control problem perennial weeds that will not be killed by tillage. b. The fall previous to seeding, apply lime as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, apply 2 to 5 tons per acre, depending on the previous history of the field. c. Graze the field in early spring to remove early growth vegetation. d. Plow or disc old sod as early in the spring as possible. e. Plant a cleanup crop such as wheat, oats or annual ryegrass. This crop can be harvested for hay or grazed. If the plant has seedhead awns, harvest or graze before they appear. Fertilize as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, fertilize with a N:P:K fertilizer with a ratio of 1:1:1 and at a rate of 50 units of nitrogen. Another option is to summer-fallow the field, working the soil repeatedly to kill the weeds. f. Plow or disc and harrow ground in early September and plant an overwinter cover crop to protect the soil and help control weeds. g. Graze or harvest the cover crop early in the spring to remove excess vegetation. Follow this by plowing or discing. h. Harrow to prepare a smooth, firm seedbed. i. Fertilize as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, fertilize with a N:P:K:S fertilizer with a ratio 3:1:2:1 and at a rate of no more than 50 units of nitrogen. j. Plant to desired pasture species as early as possible, but no later than May Renovation using herbicides or herbicides/tillage for all fields a. The year before seeding, control problem perennial weeds that will not be killed by broad-spectrum herbicides. b. The fall prior to seeding, apply lime as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, apply 2 to 5 tons per acre, depending on the previous history of the field. c. Use a broad-spectrum non-residual herbicide (such as Roundup*) in the early spring to kill the current species. The plants should have 4 6 inches of growth. If the field has been grazed, allow it to regrow to this height. Experience has shown that if tillage is delayed until the sod changes color to orange or brown, weed control will be better. d. Plow or disc ground, or use a no-till drill. If weed infestation is severe, allow the seeds in the soil to germinate and then apply the herbicide again, and allow it to work. e. If ground has been worked, harrow to prepare a smooth, firm seedbed. f. Fertilize as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, fertilize with a N:P:K:S fertilizer with a ratio 3:1:2:1 and at a rate of no more than 75 units of nitrogen. g. Plant to desired pasture species as early as possible, but no later than May Renovation with minimal equipment or herbicides a. Control problem perennial weeds such as Canada thistle the year before reseeding. Read the * Trade names have been used to simplify information presented. No endorsement by WSU Cooperative Extension or USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is intended. When using herbicides, be sure to follow label directions. Since pastures often are located near streams or ditches, be sure to pay careful attention to setbacks when applying herbicides near water sources. The plants should have at least 4-6 inches of green growth prior to herbicide application; follow label instructions for grazing or harvesting restrictions following applications. 17 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

23 most current PNW Weed Control Handbook for specific weed control recommendations. b. The fall prior to seeding, apply lime as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, apply 2 to 5 tons per acre, depending on the previous history of the field. c. Harrow vigorously or graze closely to expose bare soil. Do not do this when soil is saturated. d. Fertilize as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, fertilize with a N:P:K:S fertilizer with a ratio 3:1:2:1 and at a rate of no more than 75 units of nitrogen. e. Plant at the rough seedbed seeding rate. Harrow lightly to settle seed firmly into contact with the soil surface. Keep the harrow tines out of the soil by adjusting them to the horizontal position or by turning over the harrow. Seed as early as possible for greatest success. f. Clip weeds as necessary after seeding. Grazing can be used to control weeds, but it needs to be very short duration and closely monitored or the seeding will be damaged or destroyed. Fall Seeding Methods 1. Renovation using conventional tillage and minimal herbicides for fields which have droughty to well-drained soils a. Control problem perennial weeds such as Canada thistle the year before reseeding. Read the most current PNW Weed Control Handbook for specific weed control recommendations. b. The fall prior to seeding, apply lime as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, apply 2 to 5 tons per acre, depending on the previous history of the field. c. Plow or disc the old sod as early in the spring as possible. d. Plant a cleanup crop such as wheat, oats, or annual ryegrass. This crop can be harvested for hay or grazed. If the plant has seedhead awns, harvest or graze before they appear. Another option is to summer-fallow the field, working the soil repeatedly to kill the weeds. e. Plow or disc and harrow ground in early September to prepare a smooth, firm seedbed. f. Fertilize as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, fertilize with a N:P:K:S fertilizer with a ratio 3:1:2:1 and at a rate of no more than 30 units of nitrogen. g. Plant to desired pasture species as early in September as possible, but no later than October 1. h. Clip weeds as necessary after seeding. 2. Renovation using herbicides or herbicides/tillage for all fields a. The year before seeding, control problem perennial weeds that will not be killed by broad-spectrum herbicides. b. The fall prior to seeding, apply lime as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, apply 2 to 5 tons per acre, depending on the previous history of the field. c. Graze until about June 1 (or take a crop of hay). Let field regrow to 4 6 inches stubble height. d. Use a broad-spectrum non-residual herbicide approximately June 15 to kill the sod. Experience has shown that if you delay any tillage until the sod changes color to orange or brown, weed control will be better. e. Either: Plow or disc ground about once a month, to control weeds and undesirable grasses and aerate the soil, or Apply herbicides as needed to control seedling weeds f. If perennial weed infestation is severe, apply the broad-spectrum non-residual herbicide again and wait until undesirable vegetation has changed color. Herbicide application period: For droughty or well-drained soils: September 1 15 For wet or sub-irrigated soils: August 1 15 g. If ground has been worked, harrow to prepare a smooth, firm seedbed. h. Fertilize as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, fertilize with a N:P:K:S fertilizer with a ratio 3:1:2:1 and at a rate of no more than 30 units of nitrogen. i. Plant to desired pasture species as early in September as possible, but no later than: for well-drained or droughty soils October 1 for wet or sub-irrigated soils September 1 j. Clip weeds as necessary after seeding. 18 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

24 3. Renovation with minimal equipment or herbicides a. Control problem perennial weeds. b. Graze pasture until early July, or harvest hay. c. In July, apply lime as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, apply 2 to 5 tons per acre, depending on the previous history of the field. d. Harrow vigorously to expose bare soil. If weed seedlings germinate, harrow again. e. Fertilize as indicated by a soil test. If no test is available, fertilize with a N:P:K:S fertilizer with a ratio 3:1:2:1 and at a rate of no more than 50 units of nitrogen. f. Plant at the rough seedbed seeding rate. Harrow lightly to settle seed firmly into contact with the soil surface. Keep the harrow tines out of the soil by adjusting them to the horizontal position or by turning over the harrow. Seed by September 1. g. Clip weeds as necessary after seeding. Cultivars Current cultivar performance under trial at Washington State University and Oregon State University can be found on the Internet at http/ Literature Cited Cogger, C.G., D. Harens, S. Fransen, J. Luna, W. Anderson, and S. Kuo EB1824, Cover Crops for Home Gardens in Western Washington and Oregon. Washington State University. Fransen, S.C. and M.R. Hackett EB1897, Hay-making on the Westside. Washington State University. Schmidt, J.L. and B.F. Wolfley EB1713, Protecting Groundwater: Managing Livestock on Small Acerage. Washington State University. Hart, J., G. Pirelli, and S. Fransen Fertilizer guide for pastures in western Oregon and Washington. Oregon State University. FG 63, revised. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest (illustrations). By C. Leo Hitchcock, Arthur Cronquist, Marion Own-bey, and J.W. Thompson. University of Washington Press. Copyright Acknowledgments The authors thank the following forage researchers and technical representatives from various commercial forage seed companies for reviewing this publication: Craig Edminster, Don Floyd, Steve Johnson, Kevin McVeigh, Chad Meibach, and Adrian Vander- Have. We also thank the following faculty from Oregon State University for their review: Mylen Bohle, Randy Dovel, David Hannaway, and Gene Pirelli, and from Washington State University, Craig Cogger and Joe Kropf. Finally, we thank Scott Lambert and Jerry Rouse from the Natural Resources Conservation Service for reviewing this publication. Editing, Mary Dey, WSU Cooperative Extension Information Department. Layout, design and Triticale and Austrian Winter Peas illustrations by Gerald Steffen, WSU CE Info. Dept. 19 Pasture and Hayland Renovation

25 Authors: Steve Fransen has been a Forage Research and Extension Agronomist at WSU Puyallup for 17 years. He recently co-authored four PNW publications on the following grasses: tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, annual ryegrass and orchardgrass. Marty Chaney is a Pasture Management Specialist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Olympia, Washington The series Farming West of the Cascades is a project of the WSU Food and Farm Connections Team. The Food and Farm Connections Team is a group of Cooperative Extension faculty and staff seeking to promote and enhance sustainable, community-based food and fiber systems through research, education, and partnerships. The team is supported by the WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR). For more information about the team or CSANR, visit our website at < or call (253) Funding for this project was provided by WSU Cooperative Extension and the King County Agriculture Commission. Copyright 2002, Washington State University. A list of WSU publications is available online < or order through the Bulletin office Issued by Washington State University Cooperative Extension, Oregon State University Extension Service, University of Idaho Cooperative Extension System, and the U. S. Department of Agriculture in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, Cooperative Extension programs and policies comply with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin; physical, mental, or sensory disability; marital status, sexual orientation, and status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Cooperative Extension office. Trade names have been used to simplify information; no endorsement is intended. Published February Reviewed January EB Pasture and Hayland Renovation

26 A project of the National Center for Appropriate Technology Rotational Grazing By Alice E. Beetz and Lee Rinehart NCAT Agriculture Specialists November 2004 Updated Sept NCAT Contents Introduction...1 Choosing a Grazing System... 2 Making the Change... 3 Fencing and Water Systems... 4 Forage Growth... 5 Managing Forage Growth... 5 Seasonal Adjustments... 6 Effects on the Animals... 7 Grazing Planning and Economics... 7 Information Resources... 7 Conclusion... 8 References... 9 Resources... 9 Rotational grazing is a grazing management strategy characterized by periodical movement of livestock to fresh paddocks to allow pastures time to regrow before they are grazed again. Some popular rotational grazing systems include Management-intensive Grazing, multiple-pasture rotation, and short-duration grazing (Gerrish, 2004; Hanselka, et al., no date). Other names include cell grazing and controlled grazing. There are slight differences between how practitioners of each type of system may describe how they work, but they are all basically predicated on adequate rest periods to allow for adequate forage regrowth. Rotational grazing requires skillful decisions and close monitoring of its consequences. Modern electric fencing and innovative water-delivery devices are important tools. Feed costs decline and animal health improves when animals harvest their own feed in a well-managed rotational grazing system. Included are lists of resources for further research and other ATTRA publications related to rotational grazing. A well-designed rotational grazing system including a nice permanent lane and paddocks subdivided with electric polywire. Photo by Susan Schoenian. The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, ATTRA ( was developed and is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). The project is funded through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture s Rural Business- Cooperative Service. Visit the NCAT website ( sarc_current.php) for more information on our other sustainable agriculture and energy projects. Introduction Ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats can convert plant fiber indigestible to humans into meat, milk, wool, and other valuable products. Pasture-based livestock systems appeal to farmers seeking lower feed and labor costs and to consumers who want alternatives to grain-fed meat and dairy products. The choice of a grazing system is key to an economically viable pasturebased operation. Adding livestock broadens a farm s economic base, providing additional marketable products and offering alternative ways to market grains and forage produced on the farm. In addition, soil losses associated with highly erodible land used for row crops decline when such land is converted to pasture. Besides these benefits, rotating row crops into a year or two of pasture increases organic matter, improves soil structure, and interrupts the life cycles of plant and livestock pests. Livestock wastes also replace some purchased fertilizers. Because ruminants co-evolved with grassland ecosystems, they can meet their nutritional needs on pasture. A profitable livestock operation can be built around animals harvesting their own feed. Such a system avoids harvesting feed

27 Related ATTRA publications Pastures: Sustainable Management Pasture, Rangeland, and Grazing Management Pastures: Going Organic Assessing the Pasture Soil Resource Paddock Design, Fencing, and Water Systems for Controlled Grazing A Brief Overview of Nutrient Cycling in Pastures Nutrient Cycling in Pastures Converting Cropland to Perennial Grassland Ruminant Nutrition for Graziers Multispecies Grazing Grazing Networks for Livestock Producers Protecting Riparian Areas: Farmland Management Strategies Managed Grazing in Riparian Areas Dung Beetle Benefits in the Pasture Ecosystem mechanically, storing it, and transporting it to the animals. Instead, the livestock are moved to the forage during its peak production periods. Producers manage the pasture as an important crop in itself, and the animals provide a way to market it. Reduced feed and equipment costs and improved animal health result from choosing species well-suited to existing pasture and environmental conditions. In most operations, a good fit between animals and available pasture provides more net income. ATTRA s publication Ruminant Nutrition for Graziers goes into more depth on this subject. Some animals will produce acceptable meat with little or no grain finishing. Marketing these lean meats directly to consumers is an opportunity to increase profits. Skilled managers who can consistently offer high-quality forage to their animals, producing lean and tender meat, should consider pursuing this market. Choosing a Grazing System Continuous grazing, the most common grazing system in the United States, often results in overgrazing and an increase of less-desirable plant species. When livestock graze without restriction, they eat the most palatable forage first. If these plants are repeatedly grazed without allowing time for their roots to recover and leaves to regrow, they will die. Plants not eaten by livestock mature and go to seed. Thus, populations of undesirable plants increase, while preferred plants are eliminated, reducing the quality of the forage in a given pasture. Trampling and animals avoidance of their own wastes further reduce the amount of usable forage. Continuous grazing has the benefit of low capital investment, since fewer fencing and watering facilities are required than with rotational grazing systems. Because livestock are moved less frequently from pasture to pasture, management decisions can be simpler. Some research demonstrates that rotational grazing and continuous grazing have similar effectiveness on rangelands (Briske, et al., 2008). However, many range managers utilizing rotational grazing systems on rangeland have reported increased range health and animal performance (Sayre, 2001). Continuous grazing frequently results in higher per-animal gains than other grazing systems, as long as adequate forage is available to maintain Temperate pasture Temperate pastures are typically very productive. They are characterized by well-developed soils, medium to high pre cipitation, and moderate to rapid nutri ent cycling. They can be dominated by warm- or cool-season plants and occupy niches from Maine to Florida, from Texas to Minnesota, and from Southern Califor nia to the Pacific Northwest coastal regions of Washington and Oregon. Rangeland According to the Society for Range Man agement, rangelands are a type of land on which the natural vegetation is dominated by grasses, forbs and shrubs and the land is managed as a natural ecosystem (SRM). In North America, rangelands include the grasslands of the Great Plains stretching from Texas to Canada, from the prairie states of the Dakotas and Nebraska, to the intermountain states and the annual grasslands of California. high growth rates. But if overgrazing occurs, desirable plant growth rates will dwindle. Rotational (or controlled) grazing, on the other hand, increases pounds of animal production per acre. How the system is managed influences the level of production, of course. In fact, Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) is another term for rotational grazing. This term emphasizes the intensity of the management rather than the intensity of the grazing. MiG is grazing and then resting several pastures in sequence. The rest periods allow plants to recover before they are grazed again. Doubling the forage use is often possible by changing from continuous to controlled grazing. There is considerable profit potential for the producer willing to commit to an initial capital investment and increased management time (Kole, 1992). The producer can meet individual animal gain or gain-per-acre goals with sound management decisions. Faced with low milk prices, the potential loss of price supports, and ever-rising costs, some dairy producers have changed to MiG to meet economic and quality-of-life goals. Some are providing cows fresh paddocks after each milking. Seasonal dairying drying off the entire herd during times when pasture production is low is often the next step, but it requires even more skillful management and may not be as profitable. For more information, see the ATTRA Page 2 ATTRA Rotational Grazing

28 An easy way to begin MiG It is often suggested, as an easy way to begin MiG, to subdivide existing pastures with one or two fences (or simply close existing gates). Managing these simple divisions is a chance to try out a more controlled system and begin learning this type of grazing management at a basic level. If the new fences are electrified high-tensile wire, animals will learn to respect them, and managers can practice handling them. The manager s observation skills develop as the animals and forages adjust to the change. However, Dave Pratt, CEO of Ranch Management Consultants, Inc., notes that starting with what you have and building off it leads to cumbersome and more costly designs in the long run. Instead, Dave counsels would-be graziers to start from scratch and take a fresh look at everything. The existing fences on a farm were probably not laid out and constructed with rotational grazing in mind (Pratt, 2010). Starting with a ranch map that delineates soil and vegetation types as well as annual forage productivity and designing a grazing system from the ground up will produce a much more workable system than constructing grazing paddocks piecemeal. publications Dairy Production on Pasture: An Introduction to Grass-Based and Seasonal Dairying and The Economics of Grass-Based Dairying. MiG can be used in many other operations as well. Cow-calf and stocker operations benefit from increased forage and higher-quality feed under MiG. Some graziers specialize in dairy beef or in raising replacement heifers for dairy operations. When MiG is used with sheep and goats, fencing must be excellent in order to keep the livestock in and the predators out. (Guard animals can enhance predator protection. More in-depth information about guard animals is available from ATTRA.) Economically successful rotational grazing requires careful analysis including whole-farm planning. Livestock require large capital expenditures relative to their value, and being profitable with MiG on a small scale is not guaranteed. This is because small operations often don t have the scale necessary to justify the infrastructural improvements needed for intensive rotational grazing (Pratt, 2010). This necessitates minimizing the cost of improvements as much as possible. A single strand of electric tape and temporary posts for interior paddocks instead of permanent interior fencing is a good way to reduce infrastructure costs. Making the Change When making a change in grazing management, a logical fi rst step is an inventory of the farm s resources. An aerial map of the farm is useful to mark fences, water supplies, and existing forage resources. Writing down farm and family goals in this process makes it easier to stay on course with management decisions. When a salesperson is applying pressure, for instance, it helps to be able to evaluate the cost of the product against some chosen goal. Implementing rotational grazing requires subdividing the land into paddocks, providing access to water, adjusting stocking rates, and monitoring grazing duration. These decisions may seem overwhelming at first. Some of the reference materials listed at the end of this paper offer information about setting up paddocks to fit the landscape, calculating stocking rates, and estimating forage yield and availability. For more information, see ATTRA s Introduction to Paddock Design, Fencing, and Water Systems for Controlled Grazing. The change to controlled grazing will have impacts on the animals, the plant community, and the farmers. Livestock operators who have not monitored their livestock daily or weekly will feel the greater time demands. On the other What do you expect to get from a rotational grazing enterprise? Identify problems to overcome and opportunities you can take advantage of List your on-farm assets land livestock forages water lanes buildings machinery sensitive areas (such as riparian areas) wildlife Match your grazing goals to your resources to determine the feasibility of a rotational grazing enterprise. ATTRA Page 3

29 Polywire and polytape are essential for quickly and efficiently setting up grazing paddocks. Conductive wires are braided into the polywire/tape and connected to a fence charger to electrify the temporary fence. These materials can easily be installed from a spool, supported by temporary metal or fiberglass posts, to make paddock set-up a quick job. Photo courtesy USDA-NRCS. hand, the need for harvested forages declines, resulting in less time spent making hay or silage. Purchased feed costs also shrink. Economic benefits come from improved animal health and increased production. Research confirms lower feed costs and fewer vet bills on most operations making this transition. Actual fi gures vary widely, depending on the profitability and forage condition under the old system. As the new system is fi ne-tuned, feed quality improves, quantity increases, and management skills also grow. As a result, more animals can be raised on the same acreage, translating into more income for the farm. It takes commitment to succeed in making the change to MiG, a system requiring more complex management skills. Old ways of thinking will need to shift as analytical and problemsolving skills develop. The new grazier s commitment will be tested by mistakes, unexpected weather patterns, and neighbors attitudes. Fencing and Water Systems Rotational grazing requires additional fencing. High-tensile electric fencing is cheaper and easier to install than conventional fencing. Temporary as well as permanent electric fencing is available, and many producers use a combination of the two. This equipment offers flexibility in managing animal and plant resources. Permanent perimeter fences should be well constructed to keep cattle off highways, away from riparian areas, or off the neighbor s pastures. A single electric wire can run the length of the perimeter fence to provide a charge to temporary paddocks wherever you need them. Photo courtesy USDA-NRCS. Animals need to be trained in electric fences. Producers sometimes use a special paddock for introducing new stock into the system (fencing suppliers can furnish information). Once animals learn to respect the electrifi ed wire, it becomes a psychological rather than a physical barrier. Providing water is another capital requirement of rotational grazing systems. Experienced producers soon see the value of adequate water, and some regret that they did not invest more in the water system initially. Designing a water system for future expansion may be the best option for beginners with limited funds. Many producers use pipes and portable waterers to create movable water systems and design permanent systems based on this experience. Flexibility in locating water within paddocks should be part of any final design, so the manager can control animal distribution and avoiding trampling around the water source. Some paddocks have alleyways that give animals access to one water source from several side-by-side paddocks. However, the area around a permanent water source will suffer from heavy traffic. This heavy-use area tends to accumulate nutrients and is a potential source of parasites, disease, and erosion. (Many producers see the same problems in any location where animals congregate, e.g., shade trees and mineral sources.) Page 4 ATTRA Rotational Grazing

30 Figure 1. Forage Growth Curve Pounds per acre per day Weeks of growth Water sources should be strategically placed to ensure animals have access from each paddock in the grazing cell. This permanent water source allows access from a lane that leads to successive grazing paddocks. Photo courtesy USDA-NRCS. Heavy livestock traffic around ponds, springs, or streams can destroy vegetation. Piping water away from these sources or limiting animals access results in higher-quality water for them, and it benefits wildlife habitat. Some producers report economic benefits from providing cool, high-quality water, though little research exists. Mineral blocks are typically placed near the water supply, but excessive use of the area can lead to the problems mentioned above. Placing the minerals away from water or other gathering areas helps redistribute the animals impact and avoids overuse of any one area. Dispensing soluble minerals in the water is another alternative. For more information on fencing and water, see ATTRA s Paddock Design, Fencing, and Water Systems for Controlled Grazing. Forage Growth How much pasture area to offer animals and how long to keep them there are critical decisions for a successful grazier. These decisions influence the amount and quality of forage available throughout the grazing season. Figure 1 shows the natural progression of forage growth through three stages. Phase one is the first growth in the spring or the time required for regrowth after extreme defoliation. Photosynthesis is low because of the small leaf area available to capture solar energy. During phase two, plants grow rapidly because leaf area is increasing. Toward the end of this growth phase, forage growth is near its peak, and it is of high quality. This lush and abundant forage is ideal for grazing. The transition from phase two to phase three marks the beginning of reproduction and slower plant growth. Lower leaves begin to die as they are shaded out by those above. Plant resources are used for reproduction rather than more growth, and forage quality declines. Managing Forage Growth The grazier manages this forage growth-curve to keep pastures producing a maximum amount of high-quality forage. Decisions about moving animals from paddock to paddock are based on the amount of forage available, size of paddocks, and estimated seasonal growth rates. The number and nutritional needs of the livestock must also be figured into this balance. After each grazing period, if adequate leaf area is left for photosynthesis, plants quickly replace leaves lost without depleting root reserves. The animals are moved to fresh, succulent pasture before plants are overgrazed. Thus, the plants and animals both benefit from good grazing management. Many desirable plants, including legumes and native grasses, disappear from pastures that are ATTRA Page 5

31 Managementintensive Grazing encourages a wide variety of plants in the pasture. not given adequate rest. Animals must be moved after three to fi ve days, maximum, to prevent them from grazing these plants regrowth. If not removed from the area, livestock will preferentially graze certain forages and deplete root reserves, thus killing the most palatable forage species. Uncontrolled grazing thus eliminates desirable species and maintains those that can tolerate repeated defoliation, such as tall fescue. Management-intensive Grazing encourages a wide variety of plants in the pasture. Plant diversity increases in adequately rested pastures. Plants adapted to the varied soil and moisture conditions of the landscape thrive in their microclimates. Animals can graze plants during their seasons of maximum palatability. Livestock will, in fact, eat many weeds in their vegetative stage, some of which are good feed. By eating weeds such as dandelions, quackgrass, redroot pigweed, and lambsquarters when they are young and tender, grazing animals keep both annuals and perennials from going to seed. These plants have been shown to have feed values that compare favorably with oats (Marten, 1978). Dairy or fast-growing meat animals will need energy or fiber supplementation at certain times of the season, depending on what they can graze for themselves. Since what livestock eat is different from a random profi le of the plants in the pasture, forage samples or harvested forage tests will not exactly reflect true animal intake. It is, therefore, difficult for the manager to know whether protein or energy supplementation is economically justified. There are rules of thumb, though. For example, high-producing dairy cattle will likely need energy supplementation when on high-quality cool-season pasture, to help them maintain body condition and adequately metabolize the protein they are getting from the forages. In addition, highproducing cattle on warm-season forages such as Bermudagrass may need protein supplementation, especially in the dormant season when protein content is low in the forages. Protein supplementation also increases the rate of passage of forage in the animal s rumen, thereby increasing forage utilization. Supplementation on pasture is therefore a matter of providing extra nutrients to make up deficiencies, and not as a substitution for the forage that is there. Other than salt, the need for mineral supplements is likewise difficult to determine. If soil tests show that micronutrients are missing, they can be added to the mineral mix. However, some may be present in the soil but unavailable to the plants. Adjusting ph often remedies this. While some consultants argue that missing micronutrients should be applied to the soil so they can be eaten as plant material, mineral supplements are often the most economical solution. Minerals not removed by grazing will cycle with other nutrients in the pasture as the years go by. Seasonal Adjustments Rotational grazing gives the livestock manager flexibility in responding to the changing forage supply. During periods of rapid plant growth, cattle are moved quickly through paddocks. Alternatively, if equipment is available or the work can be hired, excess forage can be harvested for feeding later. During periods of slow plant growth, delayed rotation allows plants in each paddock a longer time to recover after each grazing period. Various strategies or specialized forages can delay having to feed harvested forages. In late fall, stockpiled fescue or other winter grasses can be strip-grazed. Grain and stalks left in corn or milo fields after harvest, offered as strips, provide another source of good-quality feed into the winter months. Small grains, grown alone or with brassicas, are a third option in some parts of the country for extending the grazing season. In some regions, providing excellent grazing through the hottest summer months is the biggest challenge. Native grasses, summer annuals, and interseeded legumes can offset this slump. However, the costs of establishment in time and money are justified only if the resulting increase in livestock production translates into sufficient profit. A good resource for learning more about extending the grazing season with alternative forage systems is the Extending Grazing and Reducing Stored Feed Needs, by Don Ball, Ed Ballard, Mark Kennedy, Garry Lacefield, and Dan Undersander, available online at ExtendingGrazing-Auburn.pdf. The ATTRA publications, Pastures: Sustainable Management and Pasture, Rangeland, and Grazing Management, provide further information on this subject. Page 6 ATTRA Rotational Grazing

32 Effects on the Animals Multiple paddocks make access and handling easier. Cattle become easier to work when they see people as the source of fresh pasture. Managers who observe their animals frequently can identify and treat health problems in their early stages. If just beginning an animal operation, the producer should choose a breed adapted to the climate and grazing system or pick individual animals with good performance records on pasture. Some types of animals, even within a breed, can better use high-quality forage, and others are better adapted to low-quality rangelands. Some tolerate legumes without bloating. There is as much variation among individuals within the breeds as between breeds. To some extent, animals learn grazing skills (Forbes, 1995). Therefore, animals that have been raised on pasture especially those from a controlled grazing system are desirable. In an established herd, culling animals that don t adapt is essential to achieving a profitable grass-based livestock system. Grazing Planning and Economics A grazing plan helps producers visualize and anticipate the various changes that occur during the grazing season. Some of the factors to track in a grazing plan include grazing land inventory, such as number of acres, number of paddocks, and forage yield. Forage yield can be expressed in pounds per acre per inch. For most pastures, you can expect a yield in the range of 150 to 350 pounds per acre per inch, depending on forage density. Your local NRCS office will likely have data on forage yields for your area. Knowing the forage requirements of grazing livestock is necessary for successful grazing planning. This is basically the number of animals you are grazing times their average weight times their daily utilization rate. Daily utilization rate is the animal s forage dry matter intake expressed as a percent of the animal s body weight. Beef cattle consume 2 to 3 percent of their body weight per day, whereas dairy cattle consume 2.5 to 4.5 percent of their body weight per day. Rest periods for various grasses and legumes are important for grazing planning. Rest periods for cool season grasses and legumes is approximately 15 to 30 days, depending on the season. For warm season grasses, the rest period is 20 to 40 days, again depending on the season. Rest periods are important for calculating the size and number of paddocks. These factors, as well as other planning factors such as paddock layout, size, and numbers, and how many animals a paddock will support, are addressed in the Minnesota Extension publication Grazing Systems Planning Guide, and is available online at distribution/livestocksystems/di7606.html or by calling In addition, the NRCS Grazing Lands team has many online tools and publications to assist producers in documenting a grazing plan. The NRCS Grazing Lands website is As with any agricultural enterprise, an analysis of the economics of the operation is crucial in the planning process. A budget for a grazing operation should take into account the capital improvements as well as the yearly inputs to operate the enterprise. The ATTRA publication Grazing Contracts for Livestock includes budget spreadsheets that are useful for budgeting costs associated with a grazing operation. Information Resources A host of published and electronic information about rotational grazing is available to producers. The Stockman Grass Farmer (SGF) is an excellent monthly publication for news about alternative forages and innovative management strategies, as well as for discussions among practitioners of management-intensive grazing. In addition, the commercial and classifi ed ads offer many services, including grazing workshops and supplies that may be difficult to obtain locally. Suppliers and their salespeople often serve as consultants, having practical experience of many grazing operations. A free sample issue of SGF is available to those who call or write to request it. Graze is another outstanding monthly publication that includes articles on all aspects of grazing, pasture management, and marketing. In a regular feature, five or more grazing advisors answer a question posed by the editor. These advisors, each an active grazing operation manager, represent a variety of livestock types and geographical locations. Culling animals that don t adapt is essential to achieving a profitable grass-based livestock system. ATTRA Page 7

33 A list of books on grazing is provided at the end of this publication. If local libraries and bookstores are unable to get them, any issue of The Stockman Grass Farmer has an ordering form for many of them. Holistic Management ( management.org) is a decision-making process initially used for livestock management on range. Now the model is being used by many farmers and ranchers to evaluate options as they plan for changes to their operations. Holistic Management International can refer producers to state organizations and regional representatives, who can in turn provide information and contacts with practitioners. After initial training courses, Holistic Management practitioners often form management clubs to further their understanding and learning as they apply holistic management principles. See the ATTRA publication Holistic Management: A Whole-Farm Decision Making Framework. Many land-grant universities have materials about rotational grazing that are specific to their states. Workshops and videos on Management-intensive Grazing may be available as well. Check with local Extension offi ces regarding such resources. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has grazing specialists in each state to help farmers improve their grazing management. Your county NRCS office can refer you to the grazing specialist in your area. Rotational grazing systems provide producers with the ability to match available forage to daily livestock forage demand, resulting in increased productivity and the maintenance of resilient pastures. Photo courtesy USDA-NRCS. Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) has a website that lists State GLCI Coordinators and Grazing Lands Personnel, available at www. glci.org/stateglci.htm. The site includes a map and list of designated GLCI grazing specialists for each state. There are many agricultural discussion groups on the Internet covering a wide range of topics. Internet discussion groups operate via . Listserves receive and distribute postings. When you subscribe, your name gets added to the mailing list. If you wish to post to the discussion group, you only need to send one , and the listserve will send it to all members. Subscribing to newsgroups is a simple and painless process, and it is free. There are lists associated with most ruminant breeds. A search engine such as Yahoo! can help locate lists on the Web. Conclusion Management-intensive Grazing is not for every producer. It will not instantly provide wealth and leisure or solve all the problems livestock producers face. Some experienced graziers say it takes three years of observation and manipulation of soil, plant, and animal resources to really begin to manage them well. During these years there will be countless challenges and necessary adjustments. Every attempt to prepare for potential problems will make the transition smoother. An assumption that the system can continually be improved will help the manager to identify weak areas early. Being alert for difficulties ensures that they can be addressed before they become serious. Nevertheless, those producers who have made the change to MiG report many benefits, including increased net income and improved quality of life. In groups of these innovative graziers, one is struck by the enthusiasm and creativity they bring to the management of their particular pasture systems. They observe the results of their decisions and are constantly finetuning their systems to meet their production and family goals. Acknowledgment: Special thanks to Dave Pratt, CEO of Ranch Management Consultants, for providing technical review of this publication. Page 8 ATTRA Rotational Grazing