Options for Grassland Management

Management systems

References:

• Forages Vol 2 Ch 13
• Grass - Its Production and Utilization Ch 10 Grassland Management under Grazing and Animal Response
  
• Getting Started Grazing: An Introduction to Management-Intensive Grazing

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Stocking rate

Options for Grassland Management

	none
	livestock management effects include defoliation (selectivity), manure dispersal, treading, seed dispersal, wildlife
	cutting/defoliation hay, mowing
	irrigation & drainage
	species composition number, identity, cultivar, new introductions
	fertilizer
	pest control insects, disease, weeds
	other burning, aeration, organic treatments, hormone treatment

Grazing systems (pg 179)

  Rotational Grazing - inspite of the popularity of this system there are advantages and disadvantages

Advantages (pg 181) More animal control less animal selectivity Less overgrazing of some species greater total animal production?

Disadvantages More work Lower quality diet More shading of some species similar animal production?

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8 Confounded Effects in Rotational Grazing

	Animal husbandry With daily moving a) animals are viewed more frequently than for extensive grazing b) unusual behavior is usually more obvious
	Plant husbandry Deliberate or subconscious daily observations of pasture mass spatial variability, pasture mass, insect/disease/weed problems, drought effects
	Better nutrient (manure) dispersal Better nutrient (manure) dispersal Less opportunity for animal transfer within fields Opportunity for managed nutrient transfer between fields 1200 lb cow @3% = 36 lbs 36 lbs at 0.3% P = 0.1 lb P
	Ease and accuracy of monitoring whole-farm pasture mass Precise grazing management must monitor the available pasture mass It is easier to measure the variable pasture mass of MIG than the uniform pasture mass of continuous grazing
	Easier to convert surpluses to stored forage (hay/silage) as spring growth exceeds animal requirements a field can easily be omitted from being grazed and made into hay/silage
	Easier to constrain animal intake immediately deficits are identified e.g. if forage needs to be conserved with an imminent drought Must have pasture cover targets/expectations
	Ease and accuracy of monitoring whole-farm pasture mass Precise grazing management must monitor the available pasture mass It is easier to measure the variable pasture mass of MIG than the uniform pasture mass of continuous grazing
	Animals easier to manage for animal remedy treatments they are used to being handled mob-up more easily are already grouped ? require less time to coral
	Forage presentation to stock is conducive to high intake

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Review Questions

Stocking Rate (handout pg 250)

	Number per area (stocking rate vs stocking density) The most important determinant of system production Negative correlation between stocking rate and production per animal (handout fig 10.1, also text fig 7.2)
	How to determine stocking rate? Based on forage potential production: Sheep eat 500 kgDM/year, cattle consume 2500 kgDM/year 10,000 kgDM/ha/yr * 75% utilization/ 2500 kgDM/cow/yr = 3 cows/ha
	In general it is easier to capture forage responses by increasing stocking rate than increasing per-head performance
	Dilemma of seasonal variability
	Bill Dix strategy – land is his most expensive resource – sets stocking rate for the peak forage production for the year (spring) and feeds purchased forage in summer/fall/winter

Review questions

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