Basics of Grazing Management Susannah Hinds Grazingland Specialist NW Indiana
About Me l From Montgomery County, IN l Raised in the Pacific Northwest l BS Degree in Range Management from University of Idaho l Worked for NRCS for 20 years in Colorado and Indiana
Mother to Tucker and Kora
What will we Discuss Today? l Forage Management Healthy Soils Management-intensive Grazing Forage Intake Planning
Grazing Management is Forage Management
Swather brush hog Silage pit Production Facility Fertilizer spreader Cultivator/ planter GPS Unit
Photosynthesis
30% 50% 80% 60% Grazing Management = Soil Biota Management
Influence Forage Intake l Grazing Time (minutes/day) l Biting Rate (bites/minute) l Bite Size (g intake/bite)
MiG Management-intensive Grazing
Prescribed Grazing l Optimal Grazing Heights (start-stop) Cool season grasses8-10in 4 in Warm Season grasses18-24 in 6-8 in
Rest period Grazing period +1= Number of Paddocks Example: 30 days rest 4 days grazing +1= 8 paddocks 30 days rest 10 days grazing +1= 4 paddocks
X X X X X X =Water tank
Prescribed Grazing l Optimal rotations Cow/calf 3-7 days Stockers 1-3 days Dairy cows day Ewe/lamb 2-5 days Feeder lambs1-3 days Horses5-7 days
lb-liveweight/acre
10+ in 4 in The Grazing Wedge
X X X X X X =Water tank
Principles of Healthy Soil Minimize Disturbance Maximize Soil Cover Maximize Biodiversity Provide Continuous Living Roots
Increasing organic matter Increasing aggregate stability Increasing water infiltration Increasing water-holding capacity Improving nutrient use efficiency Enhancing and diversifying soil biology Objectives of Healthy Soil
Increasing organic matter Increasing aggregate stability Increasing water infiltration Increasing water-holding capacity Improving nutrient use efficiency Enhancing and diversifying soil biology Objectives of Healthy Soil
Every day spent grazing is money saved !
Where Do I Start?!
Grazing Models l Alan Savory l Joel Salatin l cow/calf l stockers l seasonal dairy l grazing dairy l Free-range chickens l Broilers l Small ruminants l ALL work l ALL fail l Can be combined
Your Resources l Goals l Farm base acres water topography l Time commitment
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X X X X X X
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Relative Feed Cost Comparison l Grazing1 cent per lb l Grass Silage4.5 cent per lb l Corn Silage7 cent per lb l Grass Hay9 cent per lb
Example Given: 20 cows selling 20 calves at 500 lbs at $75/cwt with $300 cost per head Receipts: 20 hd x 500# x.75 =$7500 Costs: 20 hd x $300 = $6000 Difference: +$1500
Example, cont. Given: Increase calf weaning weight by 10% Receipts: 20 hd x 550# x.75 =$8250 Costs: 20 hd x $300 = $6000 Difference: +$2250 Profit from original $1500:$ 750
Example, cont. Given: Increase price by 10% to $82.50/cwt Receipts: 20 hd x 500# x.825 =$8250 Costs: 20 hd x $300 = $6000 Difference: +$2250 Profit from original $1500:$ 750
Example, cont. Given: Decrease costs by 10% to $270 Receipts: 20 hd x 500# x.75 =$7500 Costs: 20 hd x $270 = $5400 Difference: +$2100 Profit from original $1500:$ 600
Example, cont. Given: Increase stocking rate by 10% to 22 Receipts: 22 hd x 500# x.75 =$8250 Costs: 22 hd x $300 = $6600 Difference: +$1650 Profit from original $1500:$ 150
Example, cont. Given: Increase weaning weight, Increase price, and Decrease cost Receipts: 20 hd x 550# x.8250 =$9075 Costs: 20 hd x $270 = $5400 Difference: +$3675 Profit from original $1500:$2175
The End