Amazing Graze
A publication of The Ohio State University Extension, Edward M. Vollborn, Editor
May, 1999
Dear Friend:
In one of the early issues of "Amazing Graze" (April 1995), Mark Bennett compared managing spring grass growth to flying a jet. Things happen real fast! A visit to the Southern Branch of OARDC at Ripley on April 23 really drove home the impact of a well planned-controlled grazing system. Some 140 head of cattle (cows and calves) were barely keeping ahead of some ten acres of Triticale that had been no-tilled into an existing marginal pasture. The first graze actually figured out at a stocking rate of approximately 112 head of 1200 pound animal units per acre per day. I received reports of large numbers of cattle being brought together to keep up with rye and wheat pastures - a practice common in many western states.
Being challenged by too much production is a great problem! If managed properly, there is a great potential to increase stocking rate - cut winter feed bills - enhance animal health and create a better environment for everyone.
Good luck as you fly through spring!
Sincerely,
PROMOTING SUMMER PASTURE GROWTH - Daryl Clark, OSU Extension, Noble Co.
August forage will not equal May forage. However, the forage producer can implement some practical management practices which will increase both the quality and quantity of available summer pasture production.
Consider these:
1. Use a managed grazing plan. The forage producer who maintains the forage plant in a vegetative state will cause the plant to grow longer into the summer months. The dormancy after seed production can be eliminated; however, temperature and moisture factors will still be at work. A vegetative plant will continue to produce summer foliage.
2. Early summer fertilization. Although early can significantly increase yield, late May or early June application will help extend growth into the summer months. Forage which is vegetative at the time of application will be "jump-started" to produce another "flush." This application should be just prior to a significant (1/4 inch plus) rainfall. Nitrogen application alone may increase growth, but may translocate phosphorus and potash from root stores. Develop a fertility management program which gives balanced nutrition to the plants.
3. Maintaining root development. Although developing a grazing plan is a distinct subject, a vegetative plant mush have rest periods to restore root stores to continue to make significant growth. A short (2-4 day) grazing period, followed by significant rest to restore root reserves (16-18 days spring and 30 days summer) is critical. The above ground plant growth will be a reflection of the below ground growth. Healthy, abundant roots will result in greater top growth to be grazed.
4. Leave more forage stubble. By leaving a greater stubble after grazing, the soil surface will be shaded to allow less evaporation from hot summer weather. At the same time, longer stubble will leave more leaves. Therefore, initial regrowth can be from energy produced by photosynthesis in these leaves rather than root reserves. A large part of maintaining more stubble is to lengthen rest periods between grazings. Greater length of growth will help keep animals from grazing as closely so stubble length can be maintained.
5. Use deep-rooted forages. Deep-rooted forage legumes and grasses help capture moisture and fertility from greater depths.
6. Clipping overgrown plants. Pasture clipping to keep plants from seedhead production can be useful in maintaining forage in a vegetative state. Clipping after seed formation is mostly cosmetic - looks better but does not make plants more vegetative.
Although this is not an exhaustive list, many of these factors are highly related and management in one area can also assist other areas.
*Adapted from March 1999 Presentation at Switzerland of Ohio Polled Hereford Meeting
PASTURING OSTRICHES & EMUS - Chris Penrose, Athens Co. OSU Extension Agr. Agent & Dean Slates, Holmes Co. OSU Extension Agr. Agent
As ratite producer incomes get squeezed to the limits, cost cutting efforts may raise otherwise unthinkable alternatives to the forefront. Pasturing of birds for "feed purposes" may be a viable idea for ostrich and emu producers who have a land resource that is adaptable for that purpose.
"True pasturing" is not the accepted norm for Ohio ostrich and emu, but these birds can consume considerable quantities of forages depending on: the physiological stage of the birds, size of birds, the environment, temperature, access to water and grit, maturity of the plants, supplemental feeding, etc. Adult birds will consume 1-2.5% of their body weight in forage (dry matter) each day, depending on many factors. As with any grazing animal, producers must continually assess body condition and provide supplemental energy as needed to attain growth and production goals.
It is crucial that birds have easy access to clean fresh water while on pasture. Consumption of 2-3 gallons of water is normal for a pastured adult ostrich. Granite chip grit must be available to facilitate digestion of forages that are eaten. Pasture plants have adequate calcium, so oyster shells should be avoided. They are softer than granite and contain calcium that will potentially disrupt the calcium-phosphorous balance of the diet.
The risk of acute impactions has made many growers reluctant to graze their birds. Transitioning birds to quality pasture (from dry feeds) over a 10-14 day period and assuring grit and water, will minimize the risk of acute impactions.
The most difficult aspect of grazing ratites is their propensity to devastate a pasture. Given the opportunity, they will devour every speck of plant life. Provision must be made to rotate birds to prevent overgrazing. Then pasture paddocks must be allowed adequate "rest" before another graze is initiated. The issues of grazing ostrich, emu, or rhea are essentially the same ones faced by producers of other livestock species: setting up grazing groups; determining pasture carrying capacity, duration of graze, and length of rest periods; determining stocking rates; paddock layout; fencing; supplying adequate water; supplemental feeding; parasite control; predation protection; etc.
It is obvious that ratite producers must address each of those issues with solutions that are
appropriate to their respective operations and species, but development of a pasture resource can
provide economical, quality feed. The central question is not, "Will pasture work for ostrich and
emus?" The real question is, "Can I adapt my management to feed my birds pasture?"
FORAGE QUALITY
Forage quality is important because of its direct relationship to animal performance. The following are some basic concepts of forage quality understanding:
The concept of first limiting nutrient. If an animal is deficient in energy, any amount of protein in excess of requirements will do little to increase performance.
NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber) is closely associated with total potential intake of the forage by an animal.
ADF (Acid Detergent Fiber) is closely related to digestibility of the forage.
A forage with a low NDF or ADF content is higher in quality than one with a high NDF or ADF content.
In general, as crude protein increases in a forage, livestock perform better.
Leaves tend to be higher quality than stems. The leaf/stem ratio of a forage is a reasonably good indication of forage quality. As the leaf/stem ratio increases (more leaf), the quality of the forage generally increases.
As a plant ages or matures, forage quality declines.
The tillering of grass is important to quality and yield. Direct sunlight promotes tiller development.
Adapted from content of "Forage Leaflet 16," Clemson University, 1992
NEW FACT SHEET - ANR-5-99
"Fertility Management of Meadows" presents information on the role of nutrients in forage
crop growth and management to maintain adequate fertility for optimal production. Authors, Clif
Little and Jeff McCutcheon say that grasses are easily sustained for years, and rarely need to be
re-established if fertility is maintained.
ON THE ROAD
A motorcoach tour, departing from Cambridge, Ohio has been planned for July 5-9. A special
feature will be two days at the University of Missouri's Forage Systems Research Center. A few
seats could still be available. Call Clif at OSU Extension, Guernsey County (740-432-9300) or
tour organizers for complete details.
SOUTHEASTERN OHIO HAY DAY
The Eastern Ohio Resource and Development Center in Belle Valley will be hosting a field day June 19, 1999. The Ohio State University Research Station will have on hand several different forage harvesting equipment demonstrations, including mowing equipment, tedders, balers, and wrappers.
The program starts at 9:00 a.m. and runs until approximately 2:00 p.m. with lunch available.
Presentations covered during the program include "round bale storage" and "management of
forage quality and quantity." The research station has several other points of interest including
varieties of legumes, grazing maze, endophyte resistant varieties of fescue, rotationally grazed
sheep, cattle and numerous other experiments. For more information call 740-732-2381 or 740-732-2682.
QUOTES:
"While stocker cattle may be used to control forage growth, they may need to be used at
stocking rates high enough to limit their individual performance." - Iowa, J. R. Russell, et al.
"The secret to success in today's agriculture is not size, but innovation." - Dr. Joe Coffey,
"Cooperative Farmer" - April 1999
"If winter feed costs exceed 50% of typical expected calf revenue, cow-calf operations cannot
be profitable." - Dr. Jim Gerrish, "The Forage Leader" - Spring 1999
STOCKMAN'S RESEARCH IN REVIEW - JUNE 7, 1999
This year's annual summer open house at the Jackson Branch of OARDC will be an event you won't want to miss. The event will center around the forage-animal relationship and give more focus to the cow-calf herd than "open houses" at this location in recent years.
In addition to animal topics, the wagon tour will feature new legume variety trials for alfalfa and Kura Clover and whole paddock variety work. Dr. Jim Russell, Iowa State University, will give a presentation during the wrap-up session. Dr. Russell has numerous works to his credit through Iowa State University and the Leopold Center for sustainable agriculture. Those works include stockpiled grazing, beef cow corn stalk grazing and grazing systems work. It is hoped that Dr. Russell's presentation will appeal to both the traditional grassland farmers and crop farmers who want to better utilize their resources to improve income potential.
The June 7 program will start at 4:00 p.m. with registration and walking plot tour. The wagon tours will start at 5:00 p.m. and the wrap-up indoor program at 7:00 p.m.
For more information, call 740-286-2177 or 740-286-5044.
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Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.