Pasture management and output Dr. Dan Morrical Iowa State University

Survival and Profit l Sheep industry competitors –New Zealand and Australia –Range operators –Beef cattle producers –Swine producers –Dairy producers

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

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

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

The relationship between paddock number and plant rest

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

How Often Should I Rotate? l Factors to assess –Animal needs »Feeder lambs, lactating ewes or dry ewes –Time »Cell location, human resource l Stage of growing season –Fast growth - fast rotation –Slow growth - slow rotation

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

Utilization l Varies from 0-100% l More paddocks = higher utilization rate l Without balanced utilization –Over use - slow re-growth and long rest –Under use - forage accumulation - decreased quality

Utilization Rates by Grazing Intensity Length of% Utilization Grazing (days)of DM Available Continuous30

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

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

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

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

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

Getting Started with Paddock Layout Step 1Pencil and paper and aerial or soil map Step 2Flag proposed system Step 3Check gate location and animal flow Step 4Seek input Step 5Modify Step 6Build fence

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

Sacrifice Paddock (s) l Why –Abuse small area vs whole pasture –Weather is not always perfect –Easy to get to –Easy to renovate –Many recover with more rest

Water l 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 l Sheep are low water consumers

Water precautions l MIG success –leads to increased carrying capacity –do not under build water system »50% over capacity

Taking Water to Sheep 1. Pressurized buried system –Locate new well on high ground 2. Pressurized above ground 3. Gravity flow from pond 4. Pump from pond or stream

Water Development $2000 and up Location for gravity flow Fence to keep flock out $20-30 per ft. Pressurized Location to allow gravity assist Ponds Wells

How Earthen Return Fences Work Single wire system with circuit completed through hoof contact with ground. Two wire system with circuit completed by cow contacting hot and ground wires simultaneously.

Reasons Electric Fences Fail Energizer too small Induction Coil Poor connections Poor insulators Faulty insulation on lead out wire Lead Out wire too small HOT Ground rods too short or close together HOT Conductor wire mass too small Lighting arrestor Poor connections

Success with Cornstalks l Strip graze to maintain nutrient quality l Adjust ewes gradually l May require protein supplementation

Keys to stock piled grazing l Ration or strip graze l Late summer nitrogen –40-60 pounds l Precautions –Ice –Monitor ewe condition

MIG Success l Flexible l Productivity increases over years l Labor is only an issue with location l Change mind set l Pasture is the cheapest feed source