Forage and Grazing Opportunities

1. Forage and Grazing Opportunities Sheep Seminars Stevens Point, March 11 Mauston, March 18

3. What Grazing Management and Golf have in common It�s something you do outdoors Doing it well is more difficult then it looks Many people �talk� a much better game than they play Studying about how to do it can be helpful, but real success requires practice and experience Excerpted from a column by Don Ball in �The Forage Leader� a American Forage and Grassland Council publication (May 1999) ?Excerpted from a column by Don Ball in �The Forage Leader� a American Forage and Grassland Council publication (May 1999) ?

4. Weather can have a huge influence on the results obtained There are many products you can buy to better your game, but a real expert only needs a few basics No matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement What Grazing Management and Golf have in common

5. Livestock Enterprise Comparison

6. Livestock Enterprise Comparison

7. Grazing Formula Sunlight + Rain + Green Plants = Plant Growth Plant Growth + Grazing Animals = $$$

8. Traditional Pastures are often �Continuously Grazed� This usually means: Lower yields Serious weed pressure Erosion problems General �poor� management

9. In Rotational Grazing... Pastures are subdivided into smaller areas (or paddocks) A portion of the pasture is grazed while the remainder �Rests� Paddocks are allowed to: Renew energy reserves Rebuild plant vigor Improve long-term production Grazing is adjusted to stage of forage growth How it�s done varies from farm to farm Grazing is adjusted to stage of forage growth How it�s done varies from farm to farm

10. Intensive Rotational Grazing... Involves a higher level of management Greater paddock numbers Shorter grazing periods Longer rest periods

11. Traditional Pasture S = Shelter W = Water S = Shelter W = Water

12. Rotational Grazed Paddocks

13. Intensive Rotational Grazing

14. Exercise Paddock If only one acre or less can be provided per horse, then that area can furnish exercise space, but little feed Bluegrass is the best choice in this case: withstand trampling keep down dust reduce erosion provide clean and pleasant place for horseIf only one acre or less can be provided per horse, then that area can furnish exercise space, but little feed Bluegrass is the best choice in this case: withstand trampling keep down dust reduce erosion provide clean and pleasant place for horse

15. Monthly forage productionin 2-acre grass and grass-legume pastures A 2-acre pasture needs to produce at least 900 lb of forage per month to feed one 1000-lb horse (this study was done on horses); feed must be supplemented when production falls below that level. If you don�t want to make hay during periods of rapid forage growth, move animals faster animals will �top the paddocks�, grazing the best forage and wasting the lower quality forage Clip pastures if needed during the growing season Work to Achieve a 50-50 Mix Of Grasses and LegumesA 2-acre pasture needs to produce at least 900 lb of forage per month to feed one 1000-lb horse (this study was done on horses); feed must be supplemented when production falls below that level. If you don�t want to make hay during periods of rapid forage growth, move animals faster animals will �top the paddocks�, grazing the best forage and wasting the lower quality forage Clip pastures if needed during the growing season Work to Achieve a 50-50 Mix Of Grasses and Legumes

16. ForageGrowth Curve Stage of maturity greatly influences forage quality and availability of nutrients. Freshly grazed photo synthesis low depletion of energy reserves slow growth Lush vegetative growth photosynthesis high renewal of energy reserves rapid growth Flowering and seeding photosynthesis reduced due to shading energy diverted to flower and seed production slow growthStage of maturity greatly influences forage quality and availability of nutrients. Freshly grazed photo synthesis low depletion of energy reserves slow growth Lush vegetative growth photosynthesis high renewal of energy reserves rapid growth Flowering and seeding photosynthesis reduced due to shading energy diverted to flower and seed production slow growth

17. Seasonal growth patterns in forages Alfalfa is the most widely grown legume, but has some grazing problems� requires proper soil pH, spring has high stem to leaf count, drops its� leaves earlier than birdsfoot trefoil so stockpiling alfalfa is less desirable Despite birdsfoot trefoil�s lower forage yield, lamb performance was sufficiently superior, due to greater intake and high nutritional value Many producers have difficulty establishing birdsfoot trefoil, or can have weed invasion problems once established. Minn research station has incorporated Kura clover into the pasture mix to contour this problemAlfalfa is the most widely grown legume, but has some grazing problems� requires proper soil pH, spring has high stem to leaf count, drops its� leaves earlier than birdsfoot trefoil so stockpiling alfalfa is less desirable Despite birdsfoot trefoil�s lower forage yield, lamb performance was sufficiently superior, due to greater intake and high nutritional value Many producers have difficulty establishing birdsfoot trefoil, or can have weed invasion problems once established. Minn research station has incorporated Kura clover into the pasture mix to contour this problem

18. The Rest Period Should vary according to plant growth In general, must increase as growth rate slows Relates closely to seasonal forage growth Need to rotate between paddocks every 3-6 days Need to rotate between paddocks every 3-6 days After 6 days, risk damaging regrowth, animals will clip off as coming up Need to rotate between paddocks every 3-6 days After 6 days, risk damaging regrowth, animals will clip off as coming up

19. Relationship of rest period to pasture mass during periods of rapid vs. slow growth Graze to early; set pasture back desirable plants die out weed problems develop Graze to late; grass losses quality grass less paletable Average heights to begin grazing; 8-10 inches for tall grasses & legumes�.. Graze down to 4-5 inches 4-6 inches for short grasses & legumes�. Graze down to 2-3 inches Graze to early; set pasture back desirable plants die out weed problems develop Graze to late; grass losses quality grass less paletable Average heights to begin grazing; 8-10 inches for tall grasses & legumes�.. Graze down to 4-5 inches 4-6 inches for short grasses & legumes�. Graze down to 2-3 inches

20. Stocking Rate (animals/acre) Can use formulas for actual numbers Thumb rule; 1000 pounds of animal per 2-4 acres Intensive Rotational Grazing = 1000 pounds of animal to 1-1.5 acres Traditional �Under-managed� pastures = 1000 pounds of animal to 5-10 acres Thumb rule; one 1000 lb animal per 2-4 acres animal will eat in proportion to their weight�2-3% of body weight. Stocking rate should vary by nutritional needs of the animal, lactating, growing, pregnant animals need more. Stocking density depends on how much forage is available to animals in a paddock, how much of it you want them to eat, and how long you want them in the paddock Heavy stocking rate causes: excessive trampling reduced forage growth & quality Low stocking rates means: animals can�t keep up with growth reduced forage quality paddocks can become weedy & overgrown with brush Example: 5-250 pound sheep = 1000 pounds of animalThumb rule; one 1000 lb animal per 2-4 acres animal will eat in proportion to their weight�2-3% of body weight. Stocking rate should vary by nutritional needs of the animal, lactating, growing, pregnant animals need more. Stocking density depends on how much forage is available to animals in a paddock, how much of it you want them to eat, and how long you want them in the paddock Heavy stocking rate causes: excessive trampling reduced forage growth & quality Low stocking rates means: animals can�t keep up with growth reduced forage quality paddocks can become weedy & overgrown with brush Example: 5-250 pound sheep = 1000 pounds of animal

21. Consider the New Fencing Technology

22. Consider the New Fencing Technology Take your fences seriously, Improperly maintained fences train sheep to become escape artistsTake your fences seriously, Improperly maintained fences train sheep to become escape artists

23. Useful Life of Fencing Materials Useful life of polywire as suggested by producers is something less than 10 years, probably closer to 5 years.Useful life of polywire as suggested by producers is something less than 10 years, probably closer to 5 years.

24. Sheep & Pasture Weaned lambs should get the best pasture Weaned ewes can tolerate lower quality forage In drought or overstocking conditions wean lambs early and put them on drylot Utilize stockpiled forage Give weaned lambs the best pasture Weaned ewes can tolerate lower quality forage Run lambs first, follow-up with ewes, run ewes thru overgrown and over-mature areas Stockpiled forage Could go up to 10 months of the year on grass Winter grazing is the single biggest impact to your bottom line that grazing can make Let forage accumulate 70-75 days before a normal killing frost The goal should be to provide the greatest amount of leaf material Give weaned lambs the best pasture Weaned ewes can tolerate lower quality forage Run lambs first, follow-up with ewes, run ewes thru overgrown and over-mature areas Stockpiled forage Could go up to 10 months of the year on grass Winter grazing is the single biggest impact to your bottom line that grazing can make Let forage accumulate 70-75 days before a normal killing frost The goal should be to provide the greatest amount of leaf material

25. Manage parasites Manage predators Desired lamb weights in the US are difficult to obtain by pasture alone Wean early Sheep & Pasture Manage Parasites Deworm lactating ewes and youn lambs every 3 weeks if on dirty pasture Learn to do your own fecal exams and save money Have safe pastures available for young lambs Graze young lamb on �clean pastures�, in spring grazed by other livestock or machine harvested Desired lamb weights in the US are difficult to obtain by pasture alone 85-90 is easy, greater weights are more difficult Manage predators Good perimeter fencing helps Utilize guard dogs, donkeys, cattle, horses, llamas Scare devices, lights Wean early Early weaning allows you to get lambs on grass Early weaning gives the ewes time to regain weight before winter weather and breeding without supplemental feeds Consider clipping pastures to encourage new growth Manage Parasites Deworm lactating ewes and youn lambs every 3 weeks if on dirty pasture Learn to do your own fecal exams and save money Have safe pastures available for young lambs Graze young lamb on �clean pastures�, in spring grazed by other livestock or machine harvested Desired lamb weights in the US are difficult to obtain by pasture alone 85-90 is easy, greater weights are more difficult Manage predators Good perimeter fencing helps Utilize guard dogs, donkeys, cattle, horses, llamas Scare devices, lights Wean early Early weaning allows you to get lambs on grass Early weaning gives the ewes time to regain weight before winter weather and breeding without supplemental feeds Consider clipping pastures to encourage new growth

26. Because: It reduces parasitic infestation Each will eat around the others� droppings It assures more uniform use of the pasture Consider Grazing Other Livestock with Sheep Grazing with cattle will increase productivityGrazing with cattle will increase productivity

27. Diet Selection of Livestock

28. Grazing Trial on Non-Lactating EwesContinuous vs. Restricted Grazing Grazing study done on Oats-Rape?? The same system using bromegrass or sudangrass increased carrying capacity 50-60 percent. Rational behind completing the study was that the ewe when faced with abundant feed, tramples on half of it, eats twice as much as is needed, and by August no feed remains. Restricting the amount of grazing time enables grazing twice as many sheep per acre without affecting subsequent production of lamb and wool A week consisted of: 2.5 days grazing 2.5 days drylot confinement 1.0 day grazing 1.0 day confinement Grazing study done on Oats-Rape?? The same system using bromegrass or sudangrass increased carrying capacity 50-60 percent. Rational behind completing the study was that the ewe when faced with abundant feed, tramples on half of it, eats twice as much as is needed, and by August no feed remains. Restricting the amount of grazing time enables grazing twice as many sheep per acre without affecting subsequent production of lamb and wool A week consisted of: 2.5 days grazing 2.5 days drylot confinement 1.0 day grazing 1.0 day confinement

29. Learn To Manage Your Pastures Avoid over or under grazing Apply fertilizer as needed (take a soil test) Re-seed pastures if necessary Grazing Management Tips Managing Pastures Includes: Upgrading pastures, adding legumes or other grasses (50% mix?), clipping??, Stockpiling Apply fertilizer as needed (take soil test) Bluegrass especially needs good fertilization Fertilization may reduce legumes Re-seed pastures if necessary some species will die out over time (alfalfa, red clover) depending on management. Sometimes management style brings on preferred species (quack, bluegrass, lush grass, etc) Managing Pastures Includes: Upgrading pastures, adding legumes or other grasses (50% mix?), clipping??, Stockpiling Apply fertilizer as needed (take soil test) Bluegrass especially needs good fertilization Fertilization may reduce legumes Re-seed pastures if necessary some species will die out over time (alfalfa, red clover) depending on management. Sometimes management style brings on preferred species (quack, bluegrass, lush grass, etc)

30. Commit Yourself Totally To Making It Work Make The Transition Gradually Solicit A Lot Of Advice, But Make Your Own Decisions Stay Flexible And Keep Investments Low Plan, Plan, & Re-plan Grazing Management Tips Make The Transition Gradually Do Some Low-Cost Tinkering, start with; Dry Cows & Heifers Existing Pasture Improvements Old Hay Fields Solicit A Lot Of Advice, But Make Your Own Decisions Get Good Information Pasture Walks Field Days Grazing Conferences Print Information Join A Grazing Network Stay Flexible And Keep Investments Low Don�t build permanent fences or watering systems until you�ve figured it out. Make The Transition Gradually Do Some Low-Cost Tinkering, start with; Dry Cows & Heifers Existing Pasture Improvements Old Hay Fields Solicit A Lot Of Advice, But Make Your Own Decisions Get Good Information Pasture Walks Field Days Grazing Conferences Print Information Join A Grazing Network Stay Flexible And Keep Investments Low Don�t build permanent fences or watering systems until you�ve figured it out.