forage and grazing opportunities

1. Forage and Grazing Opportunities Beef Cow-calf Seminars Stevens Point, Feb. 12 Montello, Feb. 26 Mauston, March 4

3. What Grazing Management and Golf have in common It�s something you do outdoors Doing it well is more difficult then it looks Many people �talk� a much better game than they play Studying about how to do it can be helpful, but real success requires practice and experience Excerpted from a column by Don Ball in �The Forage Leader� a American Forage and Grassland Council publication (May 1999) ?Excerpted from a column by Don Ball in �The Forage Leader� a American Forage and Grassland Council publication (May 1999) ?

4. Weather can have a huge influence on the results obtained 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 What Grazing Management and Golf have in common

5. Gross Returns Per Acre Taken from a 1992 Pennsylvania State University Study summarized by the NRCS in a publication entitled �Dairy Farmer Profitability Using Intensive Rotational Stocking�. Taken from a 1992 Pennsylvania State University Study summarized by the NRCS in a publication entitled �Dairy Farmer Profitability Using Intensive Rotational Stocking�.

6. Direct Costs Per Acre

7. Profit Per Acre Be Cautioned that lower milk production can offset the benefit of lower feed costs, especially if rations aren�t properly balanced Be Cautioned that lower milk production can offset the benefit of lower feed costs, especially if rations aren�t properly balanced

8. Livestock Enterprise Comparison Becoming more intensive has the potential to increase net return due to lower fixed costs in land How you structure your operation, debt load, land charges and investment in buildings and equipment will have a major impact on your bottom line. Low debt and overhead levels will enhance the profitability of your operation. Taken from the Grazing Manual, a publication entitled �Getting started Grazing: An Introduction to Management-intensive Grazing�, Ohio State University.Becoming more intensive has the potential to increase net return due to lower fixed costs in land How you structure your operation, debt load, land charges and investment in buildings and equipment will have a major impact on your bottom line. Low debt and overhead levels will enhance the profitability of your operation. Taken from the Grazing Manual, a publication entitled �Getting started Grazing: An Introduction to Management-intensive Grazing�, Ohio State University.

9. Livestock Enterprise Comparison

10. Livestock Enterprise Comparison

11. Livestock Enterprise Comparison

12. Grazing Formula Sunlight + Rain + Green Plants = Plant Growth Plant Growth + Grazing Animals = $$$

13. Traditional Pastures are often �Continuously Grazed� This usually means: Lower yields Serious weed pressure Erosion problems General �poor� management

14. In Rotational Grazing... Pastures are subdivided into smaller areas (or paddocks) A portion of the pasture is grazed while the remainder �Rests� Paddocks are allowed to: Renew energy reserves Rebuild plant vigor Improve long-term production Grazing is adjusted to stage of forage growth How it�s done varies from farm to farm Grazing is adjusted to stage of forage growth How it�s done varies from farm to farm

15. Intensive Rotational Grazing... Involves a higher level of management Greater paddock numbers Shorter grazing periods Longer rest periods

16. Traditional Pasture S = Shelter W = Water S = Shelter W = Water

17. Rotational Grazed Paddocks

18. Intensive Rotational Grazing

19. Monthly forage productionin 2-acre grass and grass-legume pastures A 2-acre pasture needs to produce at least 900 lb of forage per month to feed one 1000-lb horse (this study was done on horses); feed must be supplemented when production falls below that level. If you don�t want to make hay during periods of rapid forage growth, move animals faster animals will top the paddocks, grazing the best forage and wasting the lower quality forage Clip pastures if needed during the growing season Work to Achieve a 50-50 Mix Of Grasses and LegumesA 2-acre pasture needs to produce at least 900 lb of forage per month to feed one 1000-lb horse (this study was done on horses); feed must be supplemented when production falls below that level. If you don�t want to make hay during periods of rapid forage growth, move animals faster animals will top the paddocks, grazing the best forage and wasting the lower quality forage Clip pastures if needed during the growing season Work to Achieve a 50-50 Mix Of Grasses and Legumes

20. ForageGrowth Curve Stage of maturity greatly influences forage quality and availability of nutrients. Freshly grazed photo synthesis low depletion of energy reserves slow growth Lush vegetative growth photosynthesis high renewal of energy reserves rapid growth Flowering and seeding photosynthesis reduced due to shading energy diverted to flower and seed production slow growthStage of maturity greatly influences forage quality and availability of nutrients. Freshly grazed photo synthesis low depletion of energy reserves slow growth Lush vegetative growth photosynthesis high renewal of energy reserves rapid growth Flowering and seeding photosynthesis reduced due to shading energy diverted to flower and seed production slow growth

21. Seasonal growth patterns in forages

22. The Rest Period Should vary according to plant growth In general, must increase as growth rate slows Relates closely to seasonal forage growth Need to rotate between paddocks every 3-6 days Need to rotate between paddocks every 3-6 days After 6 days, risk damaging regrowth, animals will clip off as coming up Need to rotate between paddocks every 3-6 days After 6 days, risk damaging regrowth, animals will clip off as coming up

23. Relationship of rest period to pasture mass during periods of rapid vs. slow growth Graze to early; set pasture back desirable plants die out weed problems develop Graze to late; grass losses quality grass less paletable Average heights to begin grazing; 8-10 inches for tall grasses & legumes�.. Graze down to 4-5 inches 4-6 inches for short grasses & legumes�. Graze down to 2-3 inches Graze to early; set pasture back desirable plants die out weed problems develop Graze to late; grass losses quality grass less paletable Average heights to begin grazing; 8-10 inches for tall grasses & legumes�.. Graze down to 4-5 inches 4-6 inches for short grasses & legumes�. Graze down to 2-3 inches

24. 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 1-1.5 acres Traditional �Under-managed� pastures = 1000 pound animal to 5-10 acres Thumb rule; one 1000 lb animal per 2-4 acres animal will eat in proportion to their weight�2-3% of body weight. Stocking rate should vary by nutritional needs of the animal, lactating, growing, pregnant animals need more. Stocking density depends on how much forage is available to animals in a paddock, how much of it you want them to eat, and how long you want them in the paddock Heavy stocking rate causes: excessive trampling reduced forage growth & quality Low stocking rates means: animals can�t keep up with growth reduced forage quality paddocks can become weedy & overgrown with brushThumb rule; one 1000 lb animal per 2-4 acres animal will eat in proportion to their weight�2-3% of body weight. Stocking rate should vary by nutritional needs of the animal, lactating, growing, pregnant animals need more. Stocking density depends on how much forage is available to animals in a paddock, how much of it you want them to eat, and how long you want them in the paddock Heavy stocking rate causes: excessive trampling reduced forage growth & quality Low stocking rates means: animals can�t keep up with growth reduced forage quality paddocks can become weedy & overgrown with brush

25. Consider the New Fencing Technology

26. Consider the New Fencing Technology

27. Useful Life of Fencing Materials Useful life of polywire as suggested by producers is something less than 10 years, probably closer to 5 years.Useful life of polywire as suggested by producers is something less than 10 years, probably closer to 5 years.

28. Current ruling reads: Unrestricted livestock access to waters of the state that prevents the maintenance of sod cover adjacent to those watersCurrent ruling reads: Unrestricted livestock access to waters of the state that prevents the maintenance of sod cover adjacent to those waters

29. Cattle & Pasture Energy and protein supplements are unnecessary Provide free choice salt & minerals Be careful not to let cows and heifers get to fat. Fat cows will have problems at breeding time, fat heifers will produce less milk as cows Animal requirements change markedly, especially at birthing and weaning. Generally cows need an increasing level of nutrition before birthing, a high level during lactation, and a lower nutrition after weaning. Supplementing stocker cattle grazing well-managed pasture did not affect rate of gain Well managed pastures can provide most or all of the nutrients neededAnimal requirements change markedly, especially at birthing and weaning. Generally cows need an increasing level of nutrition before birthing, a high level during lactation, and a lower nutrition after weaning. Supplementing stocker cattle grazing well-managed pasture did not affect rate of gain Well managed pastures can provide most or all of the nutrients needed

30. Stockpile Forages Let forage accumulate 70-75 days before a normal killing frost At 2 acres per cow expect 40-60 days of stockpiled forage The goal should be to provide the greatest amount of leaf material Growing or Lactating animals may need more Stretching the Grazing Season Let forage accumulate or stockpile (no cattle) 70-75 days before a normal killing frost At 2 acres per cow expect 40-60 days of stockpiled forage for late fall or winter The goal should be to provide the greatest amount of leaf material To grazing animals (waiting till late season means most grasses are past producing seedheads and instead will produce more leaf surface Stockpiling is weather sensitiveLet forage accumulate or stockpile (no cattle) 70-75 days before a normal killing frost At 2 acres per cow expect 40-60 days of stockpiled forage for late fall or winter The goal should be to provide the greatest amount of leaf material To grazing animals (waiting till late season means most grasses are past producing seedheads and instead will produce more leaf surface Stockpiling is weather sensitive

31. Stretching the Grazing Season Utilize Cornstalks 2-2 � acres per cow should get you 40-75 grazing days Weather will affect grazing conditions Cornstalks grazed directly after harvest are highest in nutrients Cattle will select grain first, then husk and leaf and finally cob and stalk 2-2 � acres per cow should get you 40-75 grazing days With no supplementation Weather will affect grazing conditions Snow cover (more than 5 inches?) or muddy conditions limit grazing options. A emergency feed supply must be available Cornstalks grazed directly after harvest are highest in nutrients Compared to 60 days or more after harvest. This is probably due to weathering, primarily in husk and leaf loss. Cattle will select grain first, then husk and leaf and finally cob and stalk Do not force cattle to eat cobs and stalks Fencing and water can become limiting factors While in Omaha, this appeared to be a very common practice. 2-2 � acres per cow should get you 40-75 grazing days With no supplementation Weather will affect grazing conditions Snow cover (more than 5 inches?) or muddy conditions limit grazing options. A emergency feed supply must be available Cornstalks grazed directly after harvest are highest in nutrients Compared to 60 days or more after harvest. This is probably due to weathering, primarily in husk and leaf loss. Cattle will select grain first, then husk and leaf and finally cob and stalk Do not force cattle to eat cobs and stalks Fencing and water can become limiting factors While in Omaha, this appeared to be a very common practice.

32. Stockpile Corn Why harvest corn if you know you�re going to feed it Portion of the standing corn as needed Remember feeding excess grain can cause acidosis Stretching the Grazing Season Why harvest corn if you know you�re going to feed it Let the cows do the work Remember feeding excess grain can cause acidosis Work then up slowly to higher levels or fill them up with something else before sending then out in the field. Leaf loss will be high after 60 days, but energy in grain will still be available Why harvest corn if you know you�re going to feed it Let the cows do the work Remember feeding excess grain can cause acidosis Work then up slowly to higher levels or fill them up with something else before sending then out in the field. Leaf loss will be high after 60 days, but energy in grain will still be available

33. Learn To Manage Your Pastures Avoid over or under grazing Apply fertilizer as needed (take a soil test) Re-seed pastures if necessary Grazing Management Tips Managing Pastures Includes: Upgrading pastures, adding legumes or other grasses (50% mix?), clipping??, Stockpiling Apply fertilizer as needed (take soil test) Bluegrass especially needs good fertilization Fertilization may reduce legumes Re-seed pastures if necessary some species will die out over time (alfalfa, red clover) depending on management. Sometimes management style brings on preferred species (quack, bluegrass, lush grass, etc) Managing Pastures Includes: Upgrading pastures, adding legumes or other grasses (50% mix?), clipping??, Stockpiling Apply fertilizer as needed (take soil test) Bluegrass especially needs good fertilization Fertilization may reduce legumes Re-seed pastures if necessary some species will die out over time (alfalfa, red clover) depending on management. Sometimes management style brings on preferred species (quack, bluegrass, lush grass, etc)

34. 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 Low Plan, Plan, & Re-plan Grazing Management Tips Make The Transition Gradually Do Some Low-Cost Tinkering, start with; Dry Cows & Heifers Existing Pasture Improvements Old Hay Fields Solicit A Lot Of Advice, But Make Your Own Decisions Get Good Information Pasture Walks Field Days Grazing Conferences Print Information Join A Grazing Network Stay Flexible And Keep Investments Low Don�t build permanent fences or watering systems until you�ve figured it out. Make The Transition Gradually Do Some Low-Cost Tinkering, start with; Dry Cows & Heifers Existing Pasture Improvements Old Hay Fields Solicit A Lot Of Advice, But Make Your Own Decisions Get Good Information Pasture Walks Field Days Grazing Conferences Print Information Join A Grazing Network Stay Flexible And Keep Investments Low Don�t build permanent fences or watering systems until you�ve figured it out.