IMPROVING PASTURE PRODUCTION Howard Moechnig Grazing Lands Conservationist Natural Resources Conserv

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IMPROVING PASTURE PRODUCTIONHoward
MoechnigGrazing Lands ConservationistNatural
Resources Conservation Service
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Identify Sensitive Areas

• Avoid damage to the soil, water, vegetation
• Improve annual yield of forages on these areas
• Consider feasibility of paddock layout and
  installation of fences and water facilities
• Fence these areas from the remainder of the
  pasture

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Map Sensitive Areas
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Subdivide Pastures

• Control the range of the livestock movement
• Allow for rest period on the majority of the
  pasture
• Minimum of six paddocks needed for each herd of
  livestock
• Subdivisions based upon soils, forages, slope,
  slope aspect, etc.

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Subdivide Pastures

• Set paddocks
• Fences are permanently placed in the desired
  shape, usually a rectangle or square
• Strip grazing
• Pasture is split into strips (usually 100 to 300
  feet wide) with permanent fence
• Strips are subdivided with temporary front and
  back fences

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Utilize Lanes
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When to Initiate Grazing

• Early spring 3-4 inches
• Move livestock through the system rapidly
• If planned grazing length is 5 days, move the
  livestock every 2 days in early spring
• Late spring through fall 8-12 inches, depending
  on species of grass

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When to Terminate Grazing

• Tall cool season grasses 4 inch residual stubble
  height
• Short cool season grasses 2 inch residual
  stubble height

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Fall Management

• Allow part of pasture (20-25) grow without
  grazing it in September and early October.
• Store root reserves
• Allow for undisturbed bud development
• Graze excess growth in late October or November,
  to the allowable residual stubble height
• DO NOT ALLOW THE LIVESTOCK UNCONTROLLED ACCESS TO
  THE WHOLE PASTURE

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Wet Weather Conditions

• Excess soil moisture reduces the ability of the
  soil to withstand traffic
• Can damage root crowns and buds on roots
• Particular problem on organic soils

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Dry Weather Conditions

• Forage growth does not keep up with livestock
  demand
• Do not graze below the allowable residual stubble
  height
• Do not graze paddocks that do not have adequate
  forage growth

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Sacrificial Paddocks

• A portion of a paddock that is allowed to be
  overgrazed to save the remainder of the pasture
• Site selection is important
• Avoid areas that easily erode or that cannot be
  easily rejuvenated
• Avoid sensitive areas
• Includes calving/lambing paddocks and overwinter
  sites

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Extended Rest

• Purpose is to allow the forage to go through a
  complete life cycle seedling through seed
  ripening
• Promotes plant vigor, especially good for the
  roots
• Benefits will accrue for 2-3 growing seasons,
  assuming good management
• Beneficial to ground nesting game birds and to
  songbirds

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Manage Forage Balance

• Use and manage the rotational grazing system
• Utilize warm season grasses
• Use annually seeded crops
• Utilize crop residues
• Use hay fields after first crop has been
  harvested
• Stockpile forages

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Overwintering

• Spread feeding locations out over a predetermined
  area
• DO NOT ALLOW LIVESTOCK TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE
  ENTIRE PASTURE

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Livestock Watering System

• Water needs to be to each paddock
• Avoids trailing
• Keeps livestock on the paddock where they can eat
  forages
• Fresh water will improve livestock performance
  and improve herd health
• DO NOT USE WAGON WHEEL CONFIGURATION

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Monitoring

• Watch for erosion and trailing
• Watch residual stubble heights
• Keep an eye on the forage ahead of the
  livestock
• Monitor the composition of the forage stand
• Monitor condition and trend of the stand
• Watch biological activity

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