Management intensive Rotational Stocking

Transcription

1 Transition to Grazing: Designing the Grazing Farm Grazing Plan Paddock Layout & Design Fencing Water Systems Lanes Managed Grazing Stocking Methods According to Occupancy Period: Continuous Stocking (7 days to full season) Rotational Stocking (3 to 7days) Management intensive Rotational Stocking (.5-3 days) Mob Stocking (high density/high forage height - less than 1 day) Management intensive Rotational Stocking The speed of the rotation is adjusted according to the growth rate and the required rest period of the plants. Livestock are moved on average every.5 to 3 days. Three Phases of Grass Growth A basic goal of grazing management is to keep as many acres in Phase 2-3 as possible Phase 3 Orchardgrass Grazing Response Phase 1 Phase 2 Dr. Ray Smith Laura Schwer Tom Keene

2 Methods Two similar orchard grass plants were chosen from greenhouse. Both were managed the same for 6 months: Clipped ~ once per month Supplied with good fertility (N,P, K) and water Methods Left plant simulates continuous grazing. Initially clipped to a 1 inch height Then clipped weekly for the next 4 weeks at a 1 inch height Right plant simulates rotational grazing. Initially clipped to a 3.5 inch height Then clipped again at 3.5 inches four weeks later Time lapse photography started at the beginning of the fifth week (day 29) for both plants. Day 1 24 hours after clipping) 1 Continuous 3.5 Rotational Day 2 1 Continuous 3.5 Rotational Day 3 1 Continuous 3.5 Rotational Day 4 1 Continuous 3.5 Rotational

3 Day 5 1 Continuous 3.5 Rotational MIG: Paddock Layout, Water, & Fencing FLEXIBILITY will need to be built into any effective grazing system. The following items should be considered before fence building begins. Paddock Layout And Design: Grazing Animal Needs - Determine the carrying capacity (amount of land needed in pasture to meet seasonal animal requirements) by: 1. Estimate animal daily dry matter intake 2. Determine pasture dry matter yield per acre 3. Determine how long you want your livestock in a paddock. 4. Determine size and number of paddocks Once You Know the Carrying Capacity DESIGN THE SYSTEM ON PAPER FIRST! An aerial photo can be a real asset in helping to layout possible fence patterns with landscape features for the best livestock flow. Paddock Layout And Design The larger permanent pasture divisions can allow easy mechanical harvest of hay if needed. Paddocks should be as square as possible. It takes less total fence for relatively square paddocks. Also, there is better grazing utilization and manure distribution in square paddocks.

4 Layout

5 Convert From Non-Electric Perimeter to Electric Interior by Using an Offset Wire FENCING Fencing should be inexpensive and electric, energized by a low impedance, high voltage energizer. The perimeter fence should be sufficient to allow the confidence that the livestock will not "escape. Remember The Old Technology? The Old Chargers Had Moderate To Low Voltage And Very High Amperage - They Basically Burned Plants Down. LOW IMPEDANCE, HIGH VOLTAGE ENERGIZERS WHAT DOES LOW IMPEDANCE MEAN? Low impedance means the fence charger is designed to effectively shock through vegetation and other foreign matters contacting the charged wire. Vegetation such as grass, weeds, vines, etc., contacting the charged wire tend to impede or stop the flow of electricity by "grounding out" the fence.

6 WHAT DOES LOW IMPEDANCE MEAN? Grounding out is common problem which exists on most electric fence installations, the low impedance fencer is a solid-state capacitor discharge design and has enough power to force the shock through vegetation. The best low impedance fencers have an on-time of less than 100 micro-seconds (100 millionths of a second) with a pulse rate of approximately 55 times per minute. Energizer These Chargers Give A Very High Voltage Pulse Very Quickly, And Will Get The Animal's Attention But It's Not Enough To Hurt It Physically Or Permanently. The Energizer's Pulse Duration Should Be Less than1/10,000 of a Second Energizer Stored Energy, Measured In JOULES, Best Describes The Amount Of Energy That An Energizer Is Capable Of Producing. Approximately 1 Joule is Needed in an Energizer for Each Mile of Electrified Wire (not fence) Voltage A Voltage of 5,000 To 10,000 Volts Works For Most Grazing Situations, Cattle need Less than Sheep For Example Due to Hide.. Fencing: Energizer -Test The System Wiring Power From The Energizer Should Be Supplied To The Fence Via The Same Size Or Larger Wire As The Fence Wire.

7 Grounding Improper Grounding Will Cause An Electric Fencing System To Fail. Poor Grounding Is The Main Reason Many Producers End Up Buying Larger Chargers Than Necessary. Grounding All Fencing Systems Will Require More Than One Ground Rod. Fencing Manufacturers Characteristically Recommend At Least Three Ground Rods Per Energizer. Fencing: Energizer Grounding - Follow The Directions Lightning Arrestor System This System Consists Of A Choke Or Inductive Coil A Diverter A Grounding System Lightning Arrestor System To Be Most Successful, The Choke Or Inductive Coil Should Be Installed Between The Energizer And The Fence.

8 No No No Using Barbwire Or Baling Wire With An Energizer Won't Get The Power Out To The Fence! Fence Wire 2.5-Gauge Or Larger HIGH TENSILE STEEL Minimum Tensile Strength Of 140,000 Psi And Class III Galvanized Or Aluminum Coating FENCING

9 External Fence -Cattle Electric High Tensile 3 Wires (WI Law=2) Non-electric High 6 Wires Barbed Wire 4 Wires Woven Wire - 47 Minimum Height External Fence Goats and Sheep Electric High Tensile 5 Wire Minimum Non-electric High 7 Wire Woven Wire - 47 Minimum Height Electric High Tensile Woven Wire 47 (seven inches off ground with barb wire on ground for predators) Internal Fence Internal divisions should be just enough to keep livestock from challenging them. One electrified wire will maintain cattle, but two or three will be needed for sheep. Temporary Electric Fence Polyethylene (Poly) wire or tape with 6 strands of steel or aluminum woven into them. Temporary fence posts placed up to a maximum spacing of 35 feet. High voltage/low impedance Energizer that can produce at least 5,000 volts. Temporary Fence You can train the animals to electric fencing in a corral or secured area.

10 Posts There Are Many Types Of Posts To Choose From. Check Around... Wood Composite Dropper

11 Stream Water Sources and Delivery Spring Water Quantity Pumps Requirements Dairy Cow 25/20 gals/head* Beef Cow 20/15 gals/head* *Depends if it is low management grazing or intensive grazing Rule of thumb gal/1000 pounds of herd weight Electric - 120/240 volt Electric - solar, submersible or floating Electric - battery Compressed air Piston pump - normally windmill driven Gasoline powered transfer pump Pasture pump - nose pump Hydraulic ram pump

12 Delivery System Planning Considerations Elevation Distance Existing water systems Seasonal vs. year-around Lanes Establish travel lanes or walkways on the higher, drier soils. concentrated livestock traffic will cause paths and bare ground. With paths going up and down slopes, considerable erosion can occur. Additional practices such as "water bars" (ditches which carry water across roads to a grassed area) or graveling may be necessary. Fittings Requirements For above ground, use brass or plastic fittings For buried pipeline, use brass fittings Tank/Trough Portable tank Stationary tank Frost-proof tank Tank assembly (float, valve, hook-up hose) Kind and class of livestock Portable tanks are more pertinent for docile animals (Sheep and Dairy Cows) Large tanks are needed for more aggressive animals (Bison)

13 Lanes Frost-Proof Tank For species other than dairy, lanes may not be needed when water is supplied in the paddock. Temporary lanes can be constructed with poly-wire or tape when needed to move livestock long distances.

14 Animal Trails and Walkways If you use gates, they should be in the corner of the paddock facing the barn. Lanes Lanes: Construction RECOMMEND READING - Many operators lift fence up or lay it on the ground. It depends on how they have trained the animals. Use the lead animals and let the other animals will follow them. Lanes That Keep Dairy Animals High And Dry by Paul Daigle et al.

15 STREAM ACCESS Limit the livestock's access to streams where banks are low and use gravel and/or geotextile cloth in these areas. STREAM ACCESS Fence the stream is available for watering of livestock from one side of the stream. Can use a pump to take water out of the stream. Long term planning should include the goal to use the areas as a paddock. Refer to UW Extension Publication A3699, Grazing Streamside Pastures. Transition to Grazing: Sometimes You May Be Lost... ASK FOR HELP Grazing Farmers Attend Pasture Walks To Learn Join Groups With An Interest In Grazing Contact Agency Staff If You Want This To Work, IT WILL!! The Key To Successful Grazing? It s The Grass!