Grazing Management to Meet Animal Performance Targets Mark Kennedy State Grazinglands Specialist...

Grazing Management Grazing Management to Meet Animal to Meet Animal Performance TargetsPerformance Targets

Mark KennedyMark Kennedy

State Grazinglands SpecialistState Grazinglands Specialist

USDA-NRCSUSDA-NRCS

Houston, MOHouston, MO

Meeting the Nutritional Needs Meeting the Nutritional Needs of Livestock from Pastureof Livestock from Pasture

INTAKEINTAKE

INTAKEINTAKE

INTAKEINTAKE

OverviewOverview

Balancing animal numbers and forage Balancing animal numbers and forage supplysupply

Matching diet quantity and quality needsMatching diet quantity and quality needs Matching grazing management and Matching grazing management and

paddock numberspaddock numbers

Animal Intake / Animal Intake / Stocking RateStocking Rate

There is only a certain amount of forage There is only a certain amount of forage produced in any plant community that is produced in any plant community that is available for use. Every acre can only available for use. Every acre can only support a finite amount of animal support a finite amount of animal weightweight

Matching the type and number of Matching the type and number of livestock to the forage base is very livestock to the forage base is very important for meeting animal targets as important for meeting animal targets as well as maintaining pasture conditionwell as maintaining pasture condition

The 1st Step: Balance Livestock Numbers with Forage Supply

• Stocking rate: The number of animals or animal liveweight assigned to a grazing unit on a seasonal basis.

• Carrying capacity: The stocking rate that provides a target level of performance while maintaining the integrity of the resource base.

• Stocking rate has a big effect on intake and availability.

Carrying capacity of pasture is determined by four factors

CarryingCapacity =

ForageProduction X Seasonal

Utilization Rate

DailyIntake X

Length of theGrazing Season

Carrying CapacityCarrying Capacity Example:Example:

Stocker operation(buying 500# selling 800#)Stocker operation(buying 500# selling 800#) 200 day seasonal grazing (April 1 - Oct. 20)200 day seasonal grazing (April 1 - Oct. 20) 16 paddock system (1-3 day grazing period)16 paddock system (1-3 day grazing period) 8000 lb. total forage production (from 8000 lb. total forage production (from

history/experience, soil survey, forage history/experience, soil survey, forage suitability groups)suitability groups)

Grazier’s ArithmeticGrazier’s Arithmetic

Then ….

Carrying Capacity =

8000 lb/acre X .65

.03 lb forage/lb liveweight X 200 days

= 867 lb liveweight / acre

Grazier’s ArithmeticGrazier’s Arithmetic

867 lbs. per acre/500 lb = 1.73 steers/ac867 lbs. per acre/500 lb = 1.73 steers/ac Can we stock 1.73 steers/ac initially?Can we stock 1.73 steers/ac initially?

If we expect them to grow to 800 lb. thenIf we expect them to grow to 800 lb. then 800 + 500 = 1300/2 = 650 (avg wt)800 + 500 = 1300/2 = 650 (avg wt)

867/650 = 1.33 steers/ac867/650 = 1.33 steers/ac

Forage Intake on Forage Intake on PasturePasture

Quantity/AvailabilityQuantity/Availability Proper stocking rates, grazing managementProper stocking rates, grazing management

QualityQuality Grazing management, species selectionGrazing management, species selection

Effect of Forage Availability Effect of Forage Availability on Relative Forage Intakeon Relative Forage Intake

How much does a 1,000 lbCow [email protected]% BW about 25lb DM

With limited availability 19 lb DM


IntakeIntake

75% Availability75% Availability Time spent grazingTime spent grazing

6–10 hours per day6–10 hours per day 6–10 hours ruminating6–10 hours ruminating

Biting rateBiting rate Cattle avg. 50 Cattle avg. 50

bites/minbites/min Bite sizeBite size

Cattle average 0.3 g Cattle average 0.3 g DM per biteDM per bite

Measured range of Measured range of 0.07 to 0.59 g per bite0.07 to 0.59 g per bite

Related to availabilityRelated to availability

25% forage quality25% forage quality

Factors Affecting IntakeFactors Affecting Intake

Dry matter intake =Dry matter intake =Biting Rate x Biting (grazing) Time x Bite Biting Rate x Biting (grazing) Time x Bite

SizeSize

Dry matter intake =Dry matter intake =

50 bites/min x 600 min/day x 50 bites/min x 600 min/day x 0.30.3 g/bite = g/bite =

9.0 kg or 9.0 kg or 19.8 lb DM 19.8 lb DM intake per dayintake per day

Factors Affecting IntakeFactors Affecting Intake

If bite size is only If bite size is only 0.070.07 g/bite g/bite


2.1 kg or 2.1 kg or 4.6 lb DM4.6 lb DM intake per dayintake per day

If bite size is If bite size is 0.590.59 g/bite g/bite


17.7 kg or 17.7 kg or 38.9 lb DM38.9 lb DM intake per day intake per day

6 - 10”

2 - 3”


The Quantity – Quality The Quantity – Quality CompromiseCompromise

Factors affecting forage quality

Plant maturity

Species

Plant Part


Plant maturityGrowth stageLength of rest period

Plant Growth PhasesPlant Growth Phases

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

Spring Summer Fall

Yie

ld (

tons

/A)

Fescue Clover Annual Lespedeza

Orchardgrass Stockpile Birdsfoot Trefoil

Rest Period NeedsRest Period Needs

15

- 2

0 d

ays

20

- 2

5 d

ays

25

- 3

5 d

ays

35

- 4

5 d

ays

35

- 4

5 d

ays

30

- 3

5 d

ays


Plant maturity

Species


SpeciesLegumes > grassesAnnuals > perennialsCool-season > warm season

WinterWinter SpringSpring SummerSummer FallFall WinterWinter

J FJ F M A MM A M J J AJ J A S O NS O N DDLEGUME, Cool seanon grass – based

perennial pastures

Winter Annuals-rye, ryegrass, triticale,

brassicas

High Quality Hay/stockpiled

fescue

Winter Annuals – rye, ryegrass,

triticale,brassicas

High Quality Hay/stockpiled

fescue

Summer Annuals-

forage sorghums,

sudangrass, millet, corn, crabgrass,

perennial warm season grasses

Forage ChainForage Chain

Diversity is the KeyDiversity is the Key

Diverse pastures are Diverse pastures are more productivemore productive

Are less prone to Are less prone to disease and insect disease and insect damagedamage

Broadens nutritional Broadens nutritional opportunities of the opportunities of the grazing livestockgrazing livestock

Legumes provide Legumes provide nitrogen for the grass nitrogen for the grass and improve overall diet and improve overall diet qualityquality


Plant part Leaves vs stems First bite vs second bite

1st bite: leaves with low fiberHigh quality

2nd bite: medium quality

3rd bite: stems with high fiber – lowquality – leave for regrowth

1. Maturity

2. Species

3. Plant Part

3 Factors Affecting Forage Quality

Animal Requirements vs Animal Requirements vs Forage Quality at Different MaturitiesForage Quality at Different Maturities

• Can use different stages of quality to our Can use different stages of quality to our advantageadvantage• Adjust body condition scoreAdjust body condition score

• Increase, maintain, or decrease body conditionIncrease, maintain, or decrease body condition

• Creep grazingCreep grazing• Calves allowed to creep gaze into higher quality Calves allowed to creep gaze into higher quality

pasturepasture

• ““Leader – Follower” grazingLeader – Follower” grazing• Animals with highest nutrient needs graze pasture Animals with highest nutrient needs graze pasture

first followed by those with lower nutritional needsfirst followed by those with lower nutritional needs

High Quality -First grazers

Medium quality - Last grazers

Expected Intake of Expected Intake of Different Quality ForagesDifferent Quality Forages

Intake as a Forage Quality

Relative Feed Value

% of Body Weight

---------------- ---------------- ---------------- Poor <80 1% Average 85-115 2% Good 120-140 2.5% Excellent >150 >3%

Estimated Nutrient Content of Estimated Nutrient Content of Tall Fescue at Different MaturitiesTall Fescue at Different Maturities

NDF NDF %%

ADF ADF %%

CP %CP %NEmNEm

Mcal/Mcal/lblb

NEgNEg

Mcal/Mcal/lblb

VegetativVegetativee

4949 2727 2020 0.700.70 0.390.39

Late bootLate boot 5757 3636 1616 0.580.58 0.290.29

MatureMature 7070 4242 88 0.530.53 0.230.23

Animal Requirements vs Animal Requirements vs Forage Quality at Different MaturitiesForage Quality at Different Maturities

IntakIntake % e % bwbw

Intake Intake lb DMlb DM

CPCP

lblbNEmNEm

McalMcalADGADG

lb/daylb/day

RequirementRequirement 2.52.5 15.015.0 1.61.6 5.25.2

PerformancePerformance

VegetativeVegetative 2.52.5 15.015.0 3.03.0 10.510.5 2.0+2.0+

Late bootLate boot 2.12.1 12.612.6 2.02.0 7.27.2 1.21.2

MatureMature 1.71.7 10.210.2 0.80.8 5.45.4 <0.5<0.5

600 lb beef steer, 2.0 lb ADG

Monitor your forage for Monitor your forage for qualityquality

Brix Meter

tests forage

pH Paper

monitor urineNUTBALanalyze manure

Grab Samplestests forage

Tried and true methodHow high is the pile?

Forage Quality:Forage Quality:Pancake batter, Pumpkin Pancake batter, Pumpkin Pies or Wedding Cakes?Pies or Wedding Cakes?

The Key to Successful The Key to Successful Grazing ManagementGrazing Management

FlexibilityFlexibility The ability to The ability to

adapt or modify, adapt or modify, being being responsive to responsive to changing changing conditionsconditions

Grazing Management Grazing Management ObjectivesObjectives

Have grazing animals take 1 large bite or Have grazing animals take 1 large bite or mouthful (animal intake) off of as many plants mouthful (animal intake) off of as many plants as possible in a pasture (Utilization)as possible in a pasture (Utilization)

Remove the animals from the pasture before Remove the animals from the pasture before any regrowth occurs and by the time 50% of any regrowth occurs and by the time 50% of the current growth has been removed (plant the current growth has been removed (plant persistence/health)(animal intake)persistence/health)(animal intake)

Have enough pastures to allow sufficient Have enough pastures to allow sufficient regrowth and rest before being grazed again regrowth and rest before being grazed again (rest/plant health) (animal intake)(rest/plant health) (animal intake)

Mark Kennedy, Ozarkian, 2007

Plant Growth and Management:Plant Growth and Management:

During grazing periods: control stubble height

•not too low—keep growing points•not too low—good photosynthesis for regrowth•not too low—keep roots growing•not too low – maintain bite size for intake

Between grazing periods: schedule rest periods

•allow photosynthesis •allow leaves to regrow to proper heights•not too long or forage quality declines

Plant Growth and Management:Plant Growth and Management:

• Example: 12 paddock system• Grazing period 2 day 3 day

4 day• Rest Period 22 day 33 day

44 dayFlexibility!

Matching Forage and Matching Forage and Animal ResourcesAnimal Resources

Enterprises with higher potential net Enterprises with higher potential net

return require higher quality pasture and return require higher quality pasture and

more intensive managementmore intensive management Greater forage yield per acreGreater forage yield per acre Forage quality should be betterForage quality should be better Management must be more intensiveManagement must be more intensive Number of paddocks should be greaterNumber of paddocks should be greater

Matching forage and livestock resources

Economic potential of grazing enterprisesEconomic potential of grazing enterprises

Pasture-based dairy/Beef finishingPasture-based dairy/Beef finishing

Dairy replacements /Beef stockersDairy replacements /Beef stockers

Sheep and goats, Cow-calf, HorsesSheep and goats, Cow-calf, HorsesPaddock #’s

So how many paddocks do I So how many paddocks do I need?need?

It dependsIt depends length of grazing period desiredlength of grazing period desired

producer goals, livestock performanceproducer goals, livestock performance length of rest period neededlength of rest period needed

Changes seasonallyChanges seasonally

rest period rest period grazing period grazing period + # herds = paddock + # herds = paddock

##

Grazing period NeedsGrazing period Needs

Plant based:Plant based: 2 - 5 days fast grow2 - 5 days fast grow 5 - 9 days5 - 9 days

moderatemoderate 9 - 12 slow 9 - 12 slow

growthgrowth

Animal Animal performance:performance: .5 - 1 day dairy .5 - 1 day dairy

cows/finishingcows/finishing 1 - 2 days 1 - 2 days

growing/fattening growing/fattening 2 - 5 days lactating 2 - 5 days lactating

beef cattle, sheep, beef cattle, sheep, horseshorses

Impact of Days on Paddock onImpact of Days on Paddock onChange in Sward CompositionChange in Sward Composition

0500

1000

1500

20002500

3000

3500

4000

DM

Av

aila

ble

(lb

/ac

re)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Days on Pasture

StemLeaf

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

OM

In

take

(lb

/hd

/day

)1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Days on Pasture

Impact of Days on Paddock Impact of Days on Paddock on Organic Matter Intakeon Organic Matter Intake

Rest period needsRest period needs Rest period needs:Rest period needs:

15 - 20 days during rapid growth15 - 20 days during rapid growth20 - 30 days during moderate growth20 - 30 days during moderate growth30 - 45 days during slow growth30 - 45 days during slow growth40 - 60 days very slow growth40 - 60 days very slow growth

How many paddocks do I How many paddocks do I need?need?

Paddock Number = Paddock Number = rest period rest period grazing period grazing period + 1+ 1

Ex:Ex: 20 day 20 day rest period - springrest period - spring 2 day 2 day grazing period grazing period +1 = 11+1 = 11 40 day 40 day rest period - summerrest period - summer 2 day 2 day grazing period grazing period + 1 = 21 + 1 = 21

How many paddocks do I How many paddocks do I need?need?

Or:Or:40 day rest period40 day rest period

4 day grazing period + 1 = 114 day grazing period + 1 = 11

Optimum Paddock #’s Optimum Paddock #’s based on Livestock Type based on Livestock Type (Rule of Thumb)(Rule of Thumb)

Livestock typeLivestock type Grazing PeriodGrazing Period

(Days)(Days)

Paddock #Paddock #

Dairy/grass Dairy/grass finishingfinishing

0.5 – 10.5 – 1 20 - 8020 - 80

Dairy heifer / beef Dairy heifer / beef stockersstockers

1 - 21 - 2 16 - 4016 - 40

Cow/calf, Sheep, Cow/calf, Sheep, Goats, HorsesGoats, Horses

2 - 52 - 5 8 - 168 - 16

SummarySummary Animals delight most to feed on fresh plantsAnimals delight most to feed on fresh plants Animals supplied with this kind of food would be Animals supplied with this kind of food would be

quickly fattedquickly fatted If a farmer divided his land into 15 - 20 equal divisions,If a farmer divided his land into 15 - 20 equal divisions, Stopped his beasts from roaming indiscriminatelyStopped his beasts from roaming indiscriminately Put the whole number of his beasts into one of these Put the whole number of his beasts into one of these

divisionsdivisions Have the number of beasts so great as to consume the Have the number of beasts so great as to consume the

best part of the grass in one daybest part of the grass in one day

Summary cont’d:Summary cont’d:

Give them a fresh park every morning to repeat the Give them a fresh park every morning to repeat the same repastsame repast

Have so many parks as days required to advance Have so many parks as days required to advance the grass to the proper length after being eaten the grass to the proper length after being eaten fare downfare down

So the first park would be ready to receive them So the first park would be ready to receive them after going over all the othersafter going over all the others

So they might be carried round in a constant So they might be carried round in a constant rotationrotation

James Anderson, Scottish Agriculturalist, 1777James Anderson, Scottish Agriculturalist, 1777

The EndThe End

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Grazing Management to Meet Animal Performance Targets Mark Kennedy State Grazinglands Specialist...

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