Amazing Graze
Amazing Graze
A publication of The Ohio State University Extension, Edward M. Vollborn, Editor
July, 1999
Dear Friend:
A special thanks to Daryl and Bob for contributing key articles for this issue. As springs and wells slow to a drip and pond and stream levels rapidly drop, the whole livestock water supply issue takes on a new meaning. After a few days of water hauling, a pressurized, reliable water delivery system looks attractive to even a conservative like me.
Early summer drought conditions really put the pressure on us to do everything we know possible to grow late season forage for winter and early spring grazing. It was the 1988 drought that first introduced us to the great yield potential of forage rye, Triticale, and Brassicas. OSU Extension offices have "Agronomy Factsheets" (AGF-019 and AGF-020) that outline some of the emergency/supplemental forage options.
Sincerely,
Recently, much discussion has centered on increasing the time livestock utilize unharvested forage. Since normally, about 60%-70% (two out of three pounds) of the forage growth of cool season grasses occur in six to eight weeks starting in early April, grazing "year-round" requires some planning to achieve.
Why Winter Graze?
As much as 80% of the variable costs in a cow-calf herd or sheep flock are due to the cost of preserving and feeding stored forage in winter. Consider these factors: 1) high cost of hay making; 2) low quality of much hay; 3) reduced feeding labor; and 4) other advantages such as reduced cost feeders, buildings and manure hauling.
Planning To Succeed!
Although the advantages to using stockpiled forage are great, some advanced planning is
necessary for the greatest advantage to be realized. A plan should include:
1) Select fields to be stockpiled. Fields selected should be heavy sodded. In some instances, fields may need to be seeded to fescue which can form a dense sod which will support livestock even during wet periods. Soil testing can reveal if additional fertility such as lime and potash-phosphorus may need to be added to increase sod density. This fertility management is best done before the August nitrogen application.
Another consideration is direction slopes face. In high snowfall, the southern and eastern slope will likely drift - graze these before the time of heavy snowfall. However, if snow is not a problem, fields which will afford protection from cold winter winds may be kept for late winter utilization. Fields with less than perfect drainage can be used in early winter while the sod is still firm. Heavy sodded fields seldom freeze sufficiently to support cattle.
Legumes will deteriorate more readily after a killing frost. Fields with a large percentage of legumes may need to be utilized early - preferably before Christmas.
2) Fence considerations. An "adequate" perimeter fence should be in place before stockpiled grazing begins. "Adequate" will be defined by the location of the field relative to well-traveled roads, other livestock, neighbors, etc. Fence building is more easily accomplished during drier summer or early fall weather.
The perimeter fence may also serve as a "power" supply for the portable fence. Ideally, at least one electrified strand in the perimeter fence will allow a producer to be most flexible in using an extended grazing plan.
3) Cut or graze in early August. The field selected for stockpiling should be cut or grazed short in early August. Jim Gerrish, Missouri Forage Agronomist, states, "Starting with short forage is important. The life cycle of a blade of grass is about six weeks. You want to start fresh for the fall growing season." Since forage growth is slow to non-existent by mid-October, early August cutting or grazing will give sufficient time for fall growth to be high quality as well as high quantity.
4) Apply nitrogen. Research has repeatedly shown that 20 to 25 pounds of forage are produced for each pound of nitrogen applied when rainfall is adequate. Early August application will give the greatest yield, however, late August application will yield the highest quality. Experiments have shown that applying more than 50 to 60 pounds of nitrogen usually doesn't pay.
One note of caution - nitrogen application should occur prior to a rain so that loss due to volatilization will be reduced significantly.
5) Match forage growth to livestock needs. A great part of managing this growth is to match available forage to livestock needs. Utilize the highest quality forage for young stock. Young bred females also need quality forage for growth and fetal development. Testing of forage prior to beginning harvest can help in making feeding decisions.
6) Implementing the plan. Once growth is complete, the payoff begins. A field of high quality, low cost feed awaits the livestock. If the manager has selected high performing, profitable livestock, the tiny polywire will help manage the intake and keep wastage from occurring.
Enjoy the walk to the stockpiled field and the aggressive devouring of the "meal." The satisfaction can be similar to that which a good cook experiences when a hungry diner sits down to a meal. Return later to watch the "contented" ones chew their cuds.
In conclusion . . . A producer's grazing plan should be developed well ahead of the extended grazing season. Advanced planning will help assure a successful, profitable grazing season.
**Editor's Note: The "Why Winter Graze?" section was reduced from the original article. Call
for the full text of this article.
MINI-VACATION OPPORTUNITY - Lexington, Kentucky
There will be four forage stops at the University of Kentucky Agronomy and Horticulture Field Day on Thursday, July 15 at the Spindletop Research Farm, north of Lexington, off KY 922 (Newtown Pike).
The forage topics are: Kentucky born and bred forage grasses; making haylage when the sun doesn't shine; the next decade of red clover varieties; and overgrazing new varieties of fescue, orchardgrass and alfalfa - will they take it? Tours will run continuously from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Note: UK - Spindletop Farm is on the north side of Lexington and just minutes from the
Brown-Adams County region of Ohio.
PEAQ!
A new method of estimating alfalfa fiber composition of the standing crop has been recently
developed at the University of Wisconsin. This process, called PEAQ for Predictive Equations
for Alfalfa Quality, can be used to monitor NDF content. The PEAQ method uses the longest
stem and the most mature stem in an alfalfa sample to estimate neutral detergent fiber (NDF)
concentrations. The procedure is not intended to replace laboratory analysis but instead should be
used to give a rapid first estimate of quality of standing alfalfa. Dr. Mark Sulc, OSU Extension
Forage Specialist, was quite involved in the development of this process and I am sure will be
providing more detail in the future.
LIVESTOCK WATER SUPPLY - Bob Hendershot, USDA-NRCS, Grassland Management Systems Conservationist
There are four primary questions that should be answered when developing a pasture or looking at an existing pasture dealing with the livestock watering system.
1) Have you calculated the water requirements, both quantity and quality for the production unit?
2) Can a water supply be developed or does one exist that will provide the required quality and quantity of water?
3) Will the primary water source be from a well, pond, spring or some other source?
4) What are the plans for a "backup" water supply?
This summer has been a year that a backup water supply has been needed by many. Many producers have or will be laying down some temporary pipe to water animals or will be hauling water to permanent water tanks.
Plastic pipe is generally used in livestock watering systems. Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe is in flexible rolls of 100 to 400 feet. It is available in a variety of pressure ratings. The size ranges from one-half inch to three inches in diameter. A disadvantage to this pipe is that all fittings fit inside the pipe thus reducing the effective diameter of the pipe.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic pipe is a semi-rigid material available in lengths of 10, 20 or 40 feet. It too, is available in a variety of pressure ratings and can withstand higher pressure than PE. The class of the pipe relates to the pressure rating. The diameter of available pipe ranges from one-half to twelve inches. There are also two Schedule pipes, Schedule 40 and Schedule 80. Schedule 40 pipe can be compared to lightweight steel pipe and Schedule 80 compares to regular steel pipe. PVC pipe is connected either with solvent weld (glue) fittings or bell and gasket fittings. All fittings are external to the pipe thus do not reduce the volume. The smaller pipe is usually connected with glued fittings.
Installing pipes below the frost line provides protection from freezing and makes the system available for winter grazing. Buried water lines below the frost line 36 inches in northern Ohio and 30 inches in the other parts of the state secure pipes from freezing. The pipe used under a heavily traveled lane should be either Schedule 80 or placed inside a rigid conduit to avoid crushing. Surface lines need drains placed in low spots or drained to prevent freezing and pipe rupturing.
Installing connections that will not allow back-siphoning of water into the water source are very important protection for wells. Back-siphoning is caused by a loss of pressure in the supply line causing water in the line to drain back into the source. When the livestock tank is full, there should be an air gap at least twice the diameter of the pipe between the water source and the outlet. A check valve should also be installed in the pipeline on the discharge side of the pump.
A pipe that is too small decreases water flow and pressure and increases pumping costs. Friction loss must be determined before a water system pump can be correctly sized and selected. Limit the friction loss between the pump and any fixture or outlet to 10 psi. Limit the water flow velocity in a pipe to four feet per second.
Check with your local NRCS or Soil and Water Conservation District for additional help.
More on CLA - Conjugated Linoleie Acid - A Demonstrated Anti-carcinogen
The content of "CLA" in milk was higher when cows were grazed on pasture than when fed a TMR. The increase in milk CLA could not be explained, however, by more CLA in the rumen. Rather, higher CLA content of milk fat in grazing cows appeared to be related to desaturase activities in the body. It is possible that increased CLA production in the body is in compensation for a decreased supply of short and medium chain fatty acids required for maintenance of milk fat liquidity.
**Editor's Note: This was a topic of special interest at the 1999 Great Lakes Grazing
Conference. The marketing potential of grass-produced milk products for health benefits was
presented to be very bright. The above paragraph is from the conclusion of a paper in the 1998
Research Summaries-U. S. Dairy Forage Research Center.
"QUOTES"
"Our results indicate that stocking method has a greater influence on the direction of floristic change (biological composition) while stocking rate determines the degree of change.
From: University of Kentucky "Forage News."
Source: Jim Gerrish, Abstracts AFGC/SRM, Feb. 1999.
"Chicory's nitrogen appetite seems endless. ARS Agronomist, David P. Belesky found that this biological sponge can soak it up even at commercial fertilizer rates as high as 425 pounds per acre."
From: GLTI Forum, July 2, 1999
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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.
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