Grazing and Hay Management Flashcards
What factors influence the productivity of pasture?
Precipitation, temperature and soil characteristics
What factors are the most important for soil health?
Bulk density- compacted soils have reduced water holding capacity and infiltration
Nutrients- water and nitrogen are most important for grass growth, followed by phosphorus and potassium
Soil Carbon- aids in water retention and nutrient supply to the plant
How often is soil testing recommended on pastures?
Every 5 years
- the only nutrients leaving the system are the animals being sold so does not need to be as often as with crop farms
Which has higher protein- cool or warm season grass?
Cool season grasses
What is the temperature in which cool and warm season grasses start growing?
Cool season: 40 degrees, optimum temp 60-75 (makes up 95% of grasses on the planet)
Warm season: 60 degrees, optimum at 90 +
T/F: In virginia, one type of grass can meet yearly needs
False! cool season gets better coverage of fall and spring, but does poorly in the summer
Define stocking rate
Animals per unit of land /the season or year
Define grazing pressure
Animals/unit of forage
Define stocking density
Animals/unit of land at a point of time
With which method of providing forage do you get the greatest utilization of the pasture?
Hay followed closely by strip grazing
With continuous grazing, what percent of the pasture is utilized?
35%
If utilizing rotational grazing, what is the minimum amount of paddocks needed?
8-each with a grazing period of 14 days or less
What is the main limitation of rotational grazing?
Need to be sure to have adequate fencing and ability to have water in each pasture
Describe leader/follower grazing
Pastures are rotating according to lifestage. Calves put into pasture first to get highest quality stuff, then yearlings switch out with them and calves go to the next highest quality pasture
What is the put and take method?
Selling calves right after the peak grazing season is over and you know you will have less forage, buy them when you have the best forage
What is the theory behind mob grazing?
Cattle will pick the highest quality plants and trample the low quality plants, preserving the roots. There is an even distribution of urine and feces which increases soil carbon
How is the productivity of animals affected by managed grazing?
It is usually not improved and may decline as you are making them eat what they would not choose in an unlimited environment
- ok for dairy and growing animals, not for feedlot
How does one stockpile fescue?
Graze fescue down to 2 inches in late july to early august and remove cows, then apply 50-100 lb of nitrogen per acre, can start grazing again around thanksgiving and quality should be good until mid February
Why do clover years happen?
Clover fixes atmospheric nitrogen unlike grass. When there is low soil nitrogen clover will predominate and once theres enough nitrogen in the soil, grass will take over until the nitrogen is eaten up
What is the concern when there is a lot of clover in a pasture?
The risk for bloat increases
T/F: To get the highest gains in cows, you should turn them out to lush pasture
False- lush pasture runs right through them due to low fiber content. Should wait until grass is 4-6 inches tall before letting cattle out on it
What is important to remember about bale grazing?
Need to move hay rings, only give a few bales at a time during winter
What are the benefits of high tannin plants?
They have the potential to assist in parasite control in small ruminants
-but they have lower protein availability
What is one method of dramatically reducing hay wastage compared to hay rings?
Give cows access to hay for 6-8 hours/day
What is bush hogging?
Cutting down overgrown grasses-wastes 20-30$/calf
How can you reduce the need for bush hogging?
Can train cows to eat weeds
Is maximum grazing always the most profitable?
No-there are times that corn may be cheaper than pasture
