SGCHS AG Dept. Natural Resource Management Mr. Hochreiter Grazing Distribution SGCHS AG Dept. Natural Resource Management Mr. Hochreiter

What is Grazing Distribution? Pattern created by livestock grazing an area of rangeland or pasture animals tend to graze in spotty patterns forage availability is reduced grazing selectivity is lost reduced animal performance

What causes uneven grazing patterns? Pasture shape “L” Terrain Water Location Vegetation palatability stage of growth water content of plants soil fertility level

Grazing lands Why do you think terrain affects grazing lands? How does water location affect grazing patterns? Describe one analogy that would compare to gaazing patterns and water location.

Managing for Grazing Distribution Salt & Mineral Feeder Location placed away from water may need to move when trampling begins Oilers, Rubbing Posts, or Dust Bags attract livestock Winter Feeding Location (move around)

Location, location, location Why do you want to ensure salt and mineral blocks are not placed around water sources?

Managing for Grazing Distribution Riparian Areas (streams, lakes etc) provide alternate water and salt away from riparian area may need to fence off area Prescribed Burning -livestock prefer regrowth after burning

Riparian areas Why do you think we need to ensure we provide alternative water locations to livestock in the pasture when there is a stream, pond or river in the pasture?

Water Developments Quantity & Quality are most important Cattle consume up to 15 gal per day per 1,000 lbs animal Stock Ponds - can have poor water quality silting animals walking in Pit Ponds (Dugouts) Wells - should have 2-3 day storage

Windmills high initial cost unreliable as a continual source of power

Electric Pump can pump water to several locations, long distances. requires electrical source requires constant monitoring (power outages)

Solar-Powered Pumps can move solar panel & pump to different locations requires constant monitoring

Sling Pump Used in flowing creeks or streams where electricity is not available. Harnesses energy from the moving water to pump water to higher elevation. Can pump water to elevations of 50 feet. Flows 1-2 gallons per minute

Water Developments Pipelines and Troughs Spring Developments can be placed at the best locations multiple waterings initial cost & maintenance can be costly Spring Developments provides clean water away from wet areas with continuous flow, water seldom freezes Stock Tanks should provide 2-3 days reserve concrete pad

Stock Tank

Cross Fencing Dividing large pastures into smaller ones Conventional materials (barbed wire) High Tensile Steel - more maintenance High Energy - Low Impedance cheaper than barbed

Cross Fencing Why would a rancher consider cross fencing his pasture? What elements must ranchers consider when deciding to cross fence? What benefits would cross fencing provide a rancher?

Cross fencing

Check on learning How can ranchers influence grazing patterns?

Season-Long Grazing One pasture for the entire season Difficult to maintain adequate grazing distribution What are some problems you could foresee if we allow season long grazing on the same pasture?

Management-Intensive Grazing Systems Ways we can pasture livestock

Sequential Forage Grazing Using 2 or more forages in combination best utilization of forage must have different growing seasons Forage may consist of smooth brome grass or alfalfa in cooler weather and big bluestem or switchgrass in warmer seasons. http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/ansci/beefreports/asl1749.pdf

Partial-season Grazing Only allowed to graze for part of the growing season One benefit of partial seasons grazing is to allow livestock to help control growth of cool season grasses and thus improving pasture management.

Deferred Grazing Rest pasture during season of growth, grazed or hayed during dormant time poor quality forage cheaper than haying Why do you think deferred grazing is cheaper than cutting hay?

Rotation Grazing Move livestock from pasture to pasture Only graze each pasture once per season Most common method of livestock grazing in West Tennessee.

Rotation Grazing

Rapid Rotation Fewer than 6 pastures short grazing periods, long rest periods

Cell Grazing Intensified rapid rotation more than 6 pastures

Which grazing system is for YOU? Things to consider: water fencing animal nutrition time

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