Grazing Basics. Society, 2010 Annual Meeting

Transcription

1 Grazing Basics Belted Galloway Society, 2010 Annual Meeting Craig Saxe g UW-Extension, Juneau Co. 211 Hickory Street Mauston WI (608) craig.saxe@ces.uwex.edu

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4 We ll be covering What is rotational ti grazing Why use rotational grazing Understanding plant growth Setting up a grazing system Fencing, watering and frost seeding Grazing tips

5 Grazing Quotes Management is the single most important factor determining financial success on all farms Grazing won t turn a poor manager into a good one Grazing isn t about cows & grass it s about a different type of thinking Grazing isn t a goal it s a Tool

6 What Grazing Management and Golf have in common Doing it well is more difficult then it looks Studying about how to do it can be helpful, but real success requires practice and experience There are many products you can buy to better your game, but a real expert only needs a few basics No matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement Don Ball, 1999

7 Farming is all about capturing the sun s energy and converting it to usable products. L. Paine, 2005

8 If we start by maximizing the amount of energy we capture, all other steps in the process have greater potential to yield profits. L. Paine, 2005

9 Which grazing system is right for me? CONSIDERATIONS: What s best for the grass What s best for the livestock What moves you toward your goals!!!

10 Many Pastures are Continuously Grazed W S This usually means: Lower yields due to selective grazing Greater weed problems Potential for erosion problems in certain areas No management or poor management of forage resource

11 Rotational Grazing 1. Pastures are subdivided into smaller areas (paddocks) 2. A portion of the pasture is grazed Lane while the remainder rests Rest allows pasture to: Recover from grazing, g, Rebuild energy reserves & plant vigor Increase forage production

12 Management Intensive Rotational Grazing W Lane W W W Corral Management Intensive Rotational Grazing (MIRG) involves even greater numbers of paddocks and/or subdivision within paddocks to increase ceaseamount tof rest and decrease days grazing each rotation

13 Managed Intensive Grazing Advantages We control where animals graze Increases yield Increase carrying capacity Extend grazing season in the fall Increases forage quality Increases animal performance Lowers cost of production Maximizes efficiency of your time and resources Offers greater management flexibility

14 It could be argued that managed intensive grazing comes at an added cost Fence Water systems Labor Higher level of management required

15 Why manage grazing? g Reduces erosion Improves water quality Enhance wildlife habitat Improves range or pasture condition Texas Creek, Colorado, BLM website on Health Riparian Areas

16 Livestock Enterprise Comparison Enterprise Stocking Rate Lbs product per acre Gross per acre Cow-calf-low 5 acres 100 calf $60 intensity Cow-calf-intensive 2 acres 250 calf $150 Stocker calf-lowlow 1 acre 270 gain $95 intensity Stocker calf-intensive 0.5 acre 540 gain $189 Sheep-low intensity 0.5 acre 225 lamb $113 Sheep-high intensity 0.2 acre 560 lamb $280 Ohio State

17 Deitz, NRCS

18 Deitz, NRCS

19 Forage Quality Yield Growth Curve Best time to graze

20 When should I graze and how much forage is out there? Graze when pasture is 8 to 10 inches high (depending on species). Take half-leaveleave half rule: graze down to 4 or 5 inches. L. Paine

21 How long should I leave the herd on one paddock? One to three days. Above 3 days, you re regrazing grass that you grazed the first day. The shorter the rotation, the better quality and forage utilization you ll have. L. Paine

22 The Rest Period Should vary according to plant growth In general, must increase as growth rate slows Relates closely to seasonal forage growth

23 Relationship of rest period to pasture mass during periods of rapid vs. slow growth Lbs. DM / acre Optimum Rest Period Period of fast plant growth (days) Period of slow plant growth (days)

24 Which will cause more overgrazing? The stocking rate of both paddocks is identical: 100 Animal Days per Acre. The effect on the paddocks will be much different.

25 Stocking Rate (animals/acre) Can use formulas for actual numbers Thumb rule; 1000 pound animal per 2-4 acres Intensive Rotational Grazing = 1000 pound beef animal to acres Traditional Under-managed pastures = 1000 pound animal to 5-10 acres

26 Stocking Rate (animals/acre)

27 Consider the New Fencing Technology

28 Be flexible with Fencing

29 Fencing One of the largest expenses in Grazing Many different options but some rules apply Have secure perimeter fence Use temporary or portable fence in cells Use the lay of the land to your advantage Be flexible in cell sizing

30 Fencing

31 Be Creative with hwater

32 FROST SEEDING Adding new seed to a pasture by broadcasting on frozen ground in early spring, letting frost & snow incorporate the seed.

33 Steps to effective grazing management Graze to the desired d stubble height ht (take half, leave half-grazing rule of thumb) Allow adequate rest periods for grass regrowth Don t regraze a pasture until your key species has reached the desired height Avoid over or under grazing

34 Steps to effective grazing management Apply fertilizer as needed (take a soil test) Re-seed pastures if necessary Control weeds and undesirable plants in pastures and adjacent areas Divide or subdivide grazing areas into smaller blocks, where feasible

35 Grazing Management Tips Commit Yourself Totally To Making It Work Make The Transition Gradually Solicit A Lot Of Advice, But Make Your Own Decisions Stay Flexible And Keep Investments Stay Flexible And Keep Investments Low

36 Grazing Management Tips Set reasonable goals Plan, monitor and modify plans to meet your objectives Be observant walk your property and look Keep records written and photographic