Forage and Grazing Opportunities

1
Grazing Basics
Central Wisconsin Grazing Meetings March 2008
Craig Saxe UW-Extension, Juneau Co. 211 Hickory
Street Mauston WI 53948 [phone] craig.saxe_at_
ces.uwex.edu
2
Well be covering

• What is rotational grazing
• Why use rotational grazing
• Understanding plant growth
• Setting up a grazing system
• Fencing, watering and frost seeding
• Grazing tips

3
Fencing, Watering and Frost Seeding
4
Consider the New Fencing Technology
5
Be flexible with Fencing
6
Useful Life of Fencing Materials
7
Fencing

• One of the largest expenses in Grazing
• Many different options but some rules apply
• Have secure perimeter fence
• Use temporary or portable fence in cells
• Use the lay of the land to your advantage
• Be flexible in cell sizing

8
Cost of Fencing

• Cost of quarter mile of fence
• 48 woven wire, one barb-----------1.07/foot
• 5 barbed wire fence------------------0.83/foot
• High tensile 8 strand 12.5 gauge---0.76/foot
• High tensile 5 strand electric(12.5)0.57/foot
• Polywire fence(interior use only)--0.03/foot

Iowa State University
9
Shape effect on Fencing Requirements
1007 feet
951 feet
744 feet
836 feet
Length2 X Width 888 feet
Length4 X width 1,040 feet
10
Water
11
(No Transcript)
12
(No Transcript)
13
FROST SEEDING
Adding new seed to a pasture by broadcasting on
frozen ground in early spring, letting frost
snow incorporate the seed.
14
Frost Seeding in Snow
This practice is promoted because its easy to
determine seed placement. Be cautioned that this
practice could also increase the risk of seed
movement as the snow melts.
15
Snow Tracks Help
16
Seed Melts into Snow
17
FROST SEEDING

• Improves Pasture Quality Yield
• Lower Cost Than Annual Nitrogen Application (9
  vs. 42)
• Works Best On Loams Clay Soils or Fields With
  Natural Moisture
• Clovers Recommended, Birdsfoot Trefoil Certain
  Grasses Can Work

18
FROST SEEDING

• Use Improved Varieties i.e. Clovers Like
  Arlington, Cimmeron, or Marathon and High
  Yielding Trefoils Like Norcen
• Graze Tight In The Fall
• Broadcast Inoculated Seed Approx. 45 Days Before
  Grass Growth Begins

19
FROST SEEDING

• Broadcast 6 - 10 of Red Clover 8 - 12 of
  Trefoil or 2 - 4 of White Clover /acre
• Dont Mix Clover Trefoil
• For Insurance Apply 40 / Acre of Actual
  Phosphorus (90 / Acre of 0-46-0 )
• Lime or Potassium May Be Needed - Soil Test To
  Determine - Dont Apply Nitrogen!

20
Grazing Tips
21
http//www.uwex.edu/ces/crops/teamforage/index.htm
l
22
http//www.uwex.edu/ces/cwas/