Top Ten Pasture Management Tips Dan Morrical Iowa State University morrical@iastate.edu 515-294-2904

Number 10 Increase fertility Nitrogen Increase yields 25-40% Cost $35 per acre for 50 lbs N .5 to 1 ton extra feed Soil test Multiple small applications

Number 9 Incorporate Legumes Improves nutrition value Evens out forage growth Frost seed red clover

Number 8 Stay Flexible Grass growth is not constant neither should stocking rate Rotation order Hay versus pasture ground

Number 7 Plant fence posts Gain control Rotational graze Utilize excess early growth Rotational graze 40-60 % more production

Number 6 Spring turn out date Variable from year to year Early turn out Reduces yield potential Ewes cannot eat what did not grow Excessively late turn out Mature forage Variable from year to year Fall rest for root reserves Fall rest to protect streambanks

Number 5 Utilization rate Graze half - leave half Leaf area for capturing sunlight 35% UR in continuous grazed 50% UR in moderate rotations 70% UR in intensive systems Match animals and acres

Number 4 Match animals and acres

Number 3 Patience Pasture improvement takes time

Number 2 Change our attitude Iowa grows a lot of corn and soybeans Iowa can also grow a lot of forage Must set high forage production per acre as goal

Number 1 Become grass farmer versus Livestock producer

Bonus discussion Managing drought years Managing excess rain fall Utilize crop residue grazing to extend the season 9 month grazing goal April 15 to Jan 15 Hay storage and supply management

Why rest is needed Grazing animals are selective in what they eat especially sheep Preferred species are over comsumed Weakens vigor and reduces composition Allows invaders Root system dies back with grazing Sheep are very selective graziers

Survival and Profit Feed costs are single largest cost Enterprise records Pasture cost/ewe/day $.056 Drylot cost/ewe/day $.166

Grass Growth is Not Uniform Manage supply Increasing paddock # in summer Warm season grasses Hay field re-growth Change stocking rate Not very practical Example short duration stockers

Why rest is needed Grazing animals are selective in what they eat especially sheep Preferred species are over comsumed Weakens vigor and reduces composition Allows invaders Root system dies back with grazing Sheep are very selective graziers

Utilization Rate Defined by the % forage consumed vs. forage available at turn in Example 2000 lbs at turn in 1000 lbs remaining at removal 1000/2000 = 50% Utilization rate

Utilization Rates by Grazing Intensity Length of % Utilization Grazing (days) of DM Available .5 75 1 70 2 65 3 60 4-7 40-50 10-14 35 Continuous 30

Examples Improper gate location Central Watering Hub Central watering hub Center over utilized, light shaded area is correctly utilized and perimeter area is under utilized. Gate placement and watering design.

The grazing pattern and distance to cover paddocks of different shapes. Gate Gate

Increasing pasture output Change forage species adding legumes Increase fertility goal dependent timing and amounts Rotational grazing

Paddock Layout No perfect system ideal is square 1. Improved uniformity 2. Less fence 3. Less distance traveled 4. Makes for easier clipping or baling

Examples Water Water Darkest shaded area is over utilized, light shaded area is correctly utilized and the white area is under utilized. Alternative to wagon wheel design with poor water location.

Fencing sloped areas Incorrect method of fencing slopes Water lane Ridge Slope Bottom Correct methods of fencing slopes

Successful Systems = Excess Early Forage Layout paddocks with areas that are hayable separate If three or four hayable paddocks lay together, subdivide with temporary fence post harvest

Water Best situation is water in all paddocks Eliminates lanes grazing area Reduced animal travel performance Water holding device is smaller with paddocks less than 10 acres Reduces coccidia contamination Sheep are low water consumers