Grass based Dairying All about harvesting high quality forage
Grass based dairying at MU Southwest Center, MT. Vernon Less stressful way of life Environmentally compatitable Less health problems with cows. Lower feed costs/ reduced milk yield
Intensive Managed Grazing
“If you are not dairying for profit we wish you well with your hobby”.
Peter West, North Island (peat soil)
New Zealand style D-10 parabone parlor
Grazing Concept Let cows harvest high quality forage Sward– 1 1/2-12 inches tall Plant is vegetative Crude protein % NE. lac MCal/lb.
Dairy feeding management Graze spring, summer, fall Supplement with hay/ silage when no grass Feed concentrate in the parlor ( 5-18 lbs/cow/day)
Cool Season Grasses 1. Perennial ryegrass 2.Orchardgrass 3.Small grains (wheat, rye) 4Kentucky bluegrass 5. Tall fescue( endophyte+) 6 Endophyte friendly fescue (Max Q) 7 Endophye free, soft leaf fescue (Advance)
Perennial rye grass
Alfalfa
Warm Season Grasses 1.Pearl millet 2 Sorghum-sudan 3.Bermuda grass 4.Red River crab grass 5.Corn 6.Eastern gamagrass
Summer Forages ryegrass crabgrass Sudan Caucasian bluestem Bermudaalfalfa
Other forages corn Pearl millet Tall Fescue Rape Grazed corn
Grazing management Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) Dairy-- new paddock every 12 hours 35 paddocks Long rectangular pasture with electric cross fences Water available at paddocks ( walk max feet) Shade available in summer?? Construct lanes to prevent mud holes
Portable Shade
Data from North Carolina
Reproductive Management Calve end February- April 1. day window for breeding Breed AI/ bull Use synchronization programs Dry off all cows end of December (280 day lactation) Entire herd dry for 2 months.
Financial management Land/cows/ fences/water Low cost milking parlor Own minimal equipment Strive to harvest 3 ½-5 ton high quality forage/acre/year Less labor 100 cows provide living for family farm
Structure and basic production data of southwest Missouri pasture-based dairy farms
A successful dairy business can be a good way of life