1. Basics of Grazing Management Susannah Hinds Grazingland Specialist NW Indiana

2. About Me l From Montgomery County, IN l Raised in the Pacific Northwest l BS Degree in Range Management from University of Idaho l Worked for NRCS for 20 years in Colorado and Indiana

3. Mother to Tucker and Kora

4. What will we Discuss Today? l Forage Management Healthy Soils Management-intensive Grazing Forage Intake Planning

5. Grazing Management is Forage Management

14. Swather brush hog Silage pit Production Facility Fertilizer spreader Cultivator/ planter GPS Unit

15. Photosynthesis

16. 30% 50% 80% 60% Grazing Management = Soil Biota Management

17. Influence Forage Intake l Grazing Time (minutes/day) l Biting Rate (bites/minute) l Bite Size (g intake/bite)

22. MiG Management-intensive Grazing

23. Prescribed Grazing l Optimal Grazing Heights (start-stop) Cool season grasses8-10in 4 in Warm Season grasses18-24 in 6-8 in

24. Rest period Grazing period +1= Number of Paddocks Example: 30 days rest 4 days grazing +1= 8 paddocks 30 days rest 10 days grazing +1= 4 paddocks

25. X X X X X X =Water tank

26. Prescribed Grazing l Optimal rotations Cow/calf 3-7 days Stockers 1-3 days Dairy cows 0.5-1 day Ewe/lamb 2-5 days Feeder lambs1-3 days Horses5-7 days

27. lb-liveweight/acre

28. 10+ in 4 in The Grazing Wedge

29. X X X X X X =Water tank

30. Principles of Healthy Soil  Minimize Disturbance  Maximize Soil Cover  Maximize Biodiversity  Provide Continuous Living Roots

31. Increasing organic matter Increasing aggregate stability Increasing water infiltration Increasing water-holding capacity Improving nutrient use efficiency Enhancing and diversifying soil biology Objectives of Healthy Soil

33. Increasing organic matter Increasing aggregate stability Increasing water infiltration Increasing water-holding capacity Improving nutrient use efficiency Enhancing and diversifying soil biology Objectives of Healthy Soil

35. Every day spent grazing is money saved !

36. Where Do I Start?!

39. Grazing Models l Alan Savory l Joel Salatin l cow/calf l stockers l seasonal dairy l grazing dairy l Free-range chickens l Broilers l Small ruminants l ALL work l ALL fail l Can be combined

40. Your Resources l Goals l Farm base acres water topography l Time commitment

43. X X X X X X

44. X X X X X X

45. X X X X X X

57. Relative Feed Cost Comparison l Grazing1 cent per lb l Grass Silage4.5 cent per lb l Corn Silage7 cent per lb l Grass Hay9 cent per lb

58. Example Given: 20 cows selling 20 calves at 500 lbs at $75/cwt with $300 cost per head Receipts: 20 hd x 500# x.75 =$7500 Costs: 20 hd x $300 = $6000 Difference: +$1500

59. Example, cont. Given: Increase calf weaning weight by 10% Receipts: 20 hd x 550# x.75 =$8250 Costs: 20 hd x $300 = $6000 Difference: +$2250 Profit from original $1500:$ 750

60. Example, cont. Given: Increase price by 10% to $82.50/cwt Receipts: 20 hd x 500# x.825 =$8250 Costs: 20 hd x $300 = $6000 Difference: +$2250 Profit from original $1500:$ 750

61. Example, cont. Given: Decrease costs by 10% to $270 Receipts: 20 hd x 500# x.75 =$7500 Costs: 20 hd x $270 = $5400 Difference: +$2100 Profit from original $1500:$ 600

62. Example, cont. Given: Increase stocking rate by 10% to 22 Receipts: 22 hd x 500# x.75 =$8250 Costs: 22 hd x $300 = $6600 Difference: +$1650 Profit from original $1500:$ 150

63. Example, cont. Given: Increase weaning weight, Increase price, and Decrease cost Receipts: 20 hd x 550# x.8250 =$9075 Costs: 20 hd x $270 = $5400 Difference: +$3675 Profit from original $1500:$2175

64. The End