Everything is the same but my animals are behaving differently. Or My animals aren’t responding correctly to changes in my management.

Relationships Matter

When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. John Muir

What aren’t you seeing?

Examine Assumptions: What’s in my plants? What are my animals’ needs and history? Time of year? Growing conditions? What are my expectations?

Things to consider…

First Impressions Count

Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue

Sagebrush, Goats and Protein Block

Training animals to eat unpalatable species. Don’t push too hard.

Positive is more positive

RayBannisterRayBannister DietSelectionDietSelection

Data collected at 7 ranches in Montana and New Mexico demonstrate that grazing distribution can be manipulated by strategic placement of supplement during the dormant season

LMB effectively increased and focused grazing in moderate terrain. LMB attracted cows to graze difficult terrain that typically was not used.

Low moisture blocks (LMB) contain 2 – 4 % moisture. LMB are available in lb containers. LMB (250 lb) only need to be replaced about once every 2 weeks when fed 1 barrel per 25 cows.

Cattle spend time near low moisture block supplements in grazing, loafing and social activities. Almost 5 hours/day were spent within 100 yards (m) of blocks in a 2002 study.

An ATV and trailer allows placement of low-moisture blocks in steep, rocky terrain

Training is critical for supplement placement to be an effective tool to manipulate grazing distribution.

Evaluate and Adapt

In % use of sage 504 sheep-days/acre 15 days 1.0 lb supplement 32 sheep/acre

Parker Mountain Fall/Winter – Oct Nov Stocking Rate – 625 sheep days/acre Stock Density – 63 ewes/acre ±10 days in each pasture 2 lb/hd/day supplement Wyoming Big Sagebrush

Pelleted Supplement for Sheep Grazing Sagebrush Alfalfa Beet Pulp Corn Soybean

Parker Mountain June 2007 Improve sage-grouse habitat and increase grasses and forbs

Parker Mountain Results 1) Sagebrush Cover  Grazed – 18% decrease (27% to 9%)  Ungrazed – unchanged (27% to 27%) 2) Sage grouse broods used grazed areas 4X more than ungrazed areas 3) More sets of twin lambs

Blue Mountain Fall/Winter – Nov. 13th – Dec. 10th Stocking Rate – 848 Sheep Days/acre Stock Density – 85 yearlings ewes/acre ±10 days in each pasture 1.7 lb/hd/day supplement Mountain Big Sagebrush

Blue Mountain Results 1) Sagebrush Cover  Grazed – 14% decrease (42% to 28%)  Ungrazed – 2% increase (39% to 41%) 2) Sheep continued to eat sagebrush even without supplement

Marshes - Louisiana Changing Grazing Management

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Key points Pay attention to assumptions First impressions count Positive is more positive Evaluate and adapt

The question isn’t: Do animals learn? They learn every day. The question is: Do we want to be part of the process?