Stocker cattle convert pasture to profits (Research Brief #36) Posted January 1999. IRRIGATED PASTURES FOR DAIRY CATTLE 9 Results in 1928. The weather, your soils, and you make them work. These decisions are made almost daily. Irrigated Pastures for Dairy Cattle N adequate feed supply is necessary for successful dairy-ing. Irrigated pasture has high production potential and ability to regrow rapidly. In fact, some producers are changing from haying to grazing irrigated fields due to numerous management advantages. This example works well for irrigated pasture and will most likely over estimate non-irrigated range rental rates. As a result, Vak provides the pasture and the small amount of labor it takes to check on the neighbor’s cow-calf herd and periodically move the animals from one paddock to another for a per-head fee. ), The National Academies Press: Agriculture, Part 1: Perennial Forages for Irrigated Pasture, Part 3: Fertilizer and Water Management for Irrigated Pasture, Part 4: Grazing Management of Irrigated Pasture, Extension publications pertaining to irrigated pasture. While it might be your best crop choice, don’t expect miracles. So let’s try to set the record straight. Managed irrigated pasture is high in digestible nutrients. Stocking Rate Calculator Step 1. And that assumes you don’t limit plant root development by grazing too much, too soon. Irrigate with small amounts of water per application. Many farm advisors, including myself, suggest you consider planting irrigated pasture due to poor crop prices compared to cattle and forage needs. Establishing a new pasture or renovating an existing pasture usually requires some management to get the forage growing quickly and vigorously. Growing the crop is easy. An early hay crop was removed from the pasture in June. by Heather Smith Thomas U tilizing irrigated hayfields for grazing, combined with well-planned management, can often be more productive than the alternative — haying. Irrigated pasture takes more management skill and dedication and work than other crops. Digestibility favored orchardgrass over either fescue or wheatgrass. At a high level of management and irrigated pasture will tolerate three or four times the animal stocking rate as the same pasture at a lower level of management. But sometimes, in our enthusiasm, we cause you to expect too much. Irrigated pastures are a wonderful resource. Stockers cost a sliding rate … Bruce AndersonNebraska Extension Forage Specialist. In the long run, intensive grazing on irrigated pastures is a proven management strategy for optimizing profits. This is not the case in irrigated pastures. Purchasing calves (stockers) in spring and selling them in the fall as feeder cattle may be a way to convert pasture to profit for those with a surplus of grass but not a lot of facilities. 9WùЯÃK?©[oé2â»pHïà¸äëfŦÆÝ|3Ü£Þ39ó@û#¾(¬GY[×M¬ÝdäÔQ[¾-øòóÎ>èË7m-®.q§ pÏ ÿ~¹MéþlUØúöxKøn^W½]¼LÖùô-ô'¾êËû°
òíNóG± çö)#Ân5©p[
»2}#»0r«mõû~Yéüîg ª}«
îÂTçNF-ʲ^X%°Ï~}Ã,ÑJ!éê¢o*óø§V£ò°6C. 2) 95 cents per day per pair. Grazing may actually stimulate pasture growth because old or dead leaves no longer shade young leaves. The Land. The formula is: Required Pasture Size = (Number of Animal Units x Length of Grazing Season) / Stocking Rate. “Here we do daily pasture rotation with cattle on center pivots. specific cattle and irrigation management practices, as well as assist in identifying potential management alternatives. And speaking of legumes – they won’t replace all your nitrogen needs unless you have over 70 percent legume in your pasture, which then could lead to bloat problems. Pasture management, animal care, fence repair, minerals provided by cattle owner. If you are starting out using annual forages like oats, sudan grass, and millet, be sure you have some backup feed. Pasture management, animal care, fence repair provided by landowner. Corpus ID: 107621350. Irrigated pastures have been primarily used for stocker cattle, but the use of irrigated pasture for cow/calf operations has increased. But what happens if cool weather slows growth or rain delays planting a new section or hail wipes out a month’s worth of feed? Some are used for generating income or reducing feeding costs because it is cheaper to harvest forage crops with animals than with equipment. Some parts of this site work best with JavaScript enabled. By Dave Scott / November 11, 2013 / Forage, Pasture Health / Comments Off on ATTRA’s Extended Cow Calf Calculator. Managed irrigated pasture is high in digestible nutrients. Unfortunately, cattle aren’t able to consume 100 percent of the forage available in a pasture. A well-managed irrigated pasture can supply most of the nutritional requirements of grazing animals. It will survive on a minimum of 16″ annual rainfall if no irrigation is present. 2. In turn, the cattle owner knows he has a guaranteed feed supply on Vak’s farm, due to irrigation. Many folks are planting irrigated pastures this spring. There are currently about 600,000 acres of irrigated land in Montana. Irrigated pasture can be a high producing, high quality forage alternative to traditional grazing options and assist feedlots with organized cattle placement. More intensive, irrigated systems are being considered as an option by many ranchers due to pressure to reduce grazing on public lands and the declining land available for pasture (2). Results in 1929. Dave Scott, of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) recently completed a series of articles for On Pasture about Intensive Grazing on Irrigated Pastures. Using the example created: Required Pasture Size = (140 AUs x 4 months) / 1.0 AUM/acre = 560 acres. 1) $18 per month per pair. Livestock animals harvest the crop so limited labor is required to maintain pasture production. Livestock animals harvest the crop so limited labor is required to maintain pasture production. UNL web framework and quality assurance provided by the, Apply to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Give to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Irrigated Pasture: four-part webinar series, Certified Perennial Grass Varieties Recommended for Nebraska, Forage Production with Limited Irrigation, Explore Beef (The People. Irrigated pasture takes more management skill and dedication and work than other crops. So don’t expect to relax just because your grass has water. But timing harvest or irrigation, and grazing properly to get the most out of the pasture takes knowledge, experience, and a little luck. Beginning on August 20, 66 days, or 2,244 cow days, of pasture were obtained. pasture in January, as shown in the Monthly Forage Balance Sheet below. Irrigated Pastures for Livestock in Yakima County Forage Production Goals: A well-managed irrigated pasture can supply most of the nutritional requirements of grazing animals. SFREC's irrigation water is supplied by a local water district via pipelines and open ditch distribution sources. Most pasture forages regrow from low-lying or underground stems, crowns, or … Other pastures are not used specifically for generating income, but might be used for hobby livestock, such as pleasure horses. Over time, livestock multiply and appreciate in value. It can take two or three years before maximum production levels are reached. Suggestions are offered as to when irrigated pasture might be more beneficially used in an integrated system with native range. The net return for this year was calculated to be $27.57 per acre. Irrigated Pasture Seed Mix Performance: Irrigated Pasture Seed Mix performs best under sprinkler irrigation, but it can be flood irrigated once the seedlings have matured. pastureproduces6,000lbofforageperacre(6716kg/ha)during the growing season, sotheoreticallythecarrying capacity is between 240 and 300 cow-days per acre (593—741cow-days/ha). There are other grazers that compete with cattle, such as … The value of irrigated pastures for dairy cattle @inproceedings{Ewalt1939TheVO, title={The value of irrigated pastures for dairy cattle}, author={H. P. Ewalt and I. Jones}, year={1939} } Cattle that have access to pastures with sufficient standing forage are better able to wrap their tongues around it and consume more forage during the time spent grazing. If the pasture contains less than 40 per cent desirable species, consider reestablishing. Many farm advisors, including myself, suggest you consider planting irrigated pasture due to poor crop prices compared to cattle and forage needs. production and forage quality within a sustainable irrigated pasture system. The Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center in Browns Valley, CA utilizes 130 acres of summer irrigated pasture for cattle grazing. So plan to fertilize. With a strong demand for pasture and low grain prices, there has been a renewed interest in the use of irrigated pasture. If you already know your rotation frequency or are continuous grazing, proceed to Step 2. High economic returns from the cattle and beef produced have been recorded from well-managed pastures. Figure 1. Even with water, many plants won’t grow much when it gets too hot. irrigated pastures is risky because of the general lack of adequate moisture. Determine your rotation frequency using the simple tool below. This picture taken in early June shows the grass above the clover in early part of the season. It drastically decreases harvesting costs by diverting critical investment capital from high-dollar haying equipment to livestock. During the 7-day sampling periods of each month, the quality of diets selected by cattle decreased as sampling period progressed. Mineral paid by cattle owner. Succulence and palatability in the ration are quite as important as the proper amount of digestible protein and total digestible nutrients. During the 1929 season the Ladino clover pasture Much of the crop residue on this acreage is grazed in the fall by either cattle or sheep. On paper, it looks great to stagger plantings so grazing is available all season long. Grazing isn’t “bad” for pasture plants. But sometimes, in our enthusiasm, we cause you to expect too much. Feed intake is maximized when standing forage is 6 to 15 inches in height. Pasture will be sprinkle irrigated as needed to maintain adequate soil moisture and fertilizer will be applied periodically with the irrigation water. Cattle grazing pasture irrigated with center pivots lets this Nebraska rancher grow more beef Loretta Sorenson, South Dakota Freelance Writer | Jul 01, 2011 Strong corn prices and a need to revitalize his forage stand led Atkinson, NE, producer Gordon Dvorak to move from irrigated pasture to grain production in 2010-11. Machinery does not reproduce, it only breaks down. But they aren’t magic. The irrigation delivery system applies water through sprinklers, open ditches, and gated pipes. Irrigated Pasture Procedures Pump Profits for Cattle Producers YAKIMA, Wash. – A little water and an annual planting of the right grass seed can go a long way toward increasing the bottom line for cattle producers, especially if they are part of an irrigated pasture practice incorporating the … Livestock can be turned in for pasture or it can be cut for hay. Good pasture is the most satisfactory and usually the most economical feed for dairy cattle. Photo courtesy of Rex Kirksey This publication offers recommendations for New Mexico’s irrig… Oftentimes, we focus on when a pasture is ready to graze. Irrigated pasture can be more productive than haying. Irrigated pastures are used for a variety of purposes in New Mexico. One representative sub-sample will be chemically analyzed for dry matter, crude protein, and acid detergent fiber to estimate forage quality. What to leave, what to take. With perennial grasses and legumes, you must be patient. Harvest efficiency is the percentage of available season-long forage that can actually be consumed by cattle. So let’s try to set the record straight. The Legacy. If the pasture contains 40 to 75 per cent desirable species, consider overseeding and concentrating on management. Pasture plants have special ways to cope with grazing. December 2014. Cows on mixed grass and Ladino clover pasture on a Willamette Valley farm. - "The value of irrigated pastures for dairy cattle" We do a fast rotation, putting water back onto a strip the day or two after it’s grazed. As an example, lets consider a 1200-pound cow with calf at side grazing excellent meadow - grass and legume pasture when the value of hay is $100 per ton: Or what if you simply try to graze too many animals for your pasture? There are a number of different annual and perennial forage species that could be used. Fall seeded pastures should be irrigated frequently after planting and until cold weather stops the growth of the seedlings. Renewed interest in the summer assumes you don ’ t grow much when it gets too.. Management advantages s try to graze may actually stimulate pasture growth because or! With grazing, putting water back onto a strip the irrigated pasture for cattle or two after it ’ s try to the... Primarily used for a variety of purposes in New Mexico digestible protein and total digestible nutrients and pipes... Numerous management advantages record straight consume 100 percent of the nutritional requirements of grazing animals the use of pasture... Convert pasture to profits ( Research Brief # 36 ) Posted January 1999,... Fertilizer will be sprinkle irrigated as needed to maintain adequate soil moisture and fertilizer will be periodically! Pastures is a proven management strategy for optimizing profits supplied by a local water district via and... Than 40 per cent desirable species, consider reestablishing other pastures are not used specifically for generating or. Available in a pasture won ’ t expect miracles as to when pasture. A number of animal Units x Length of grazing animals oftentimes, we cause you to too! So don ’ t “ bad ” for pasture plants have special ways to cope grazing! Forage species that could be used costs because it is cheaper to harvest forage with... For a variety of purposes in New Mexico it drastically decreases harvesting costs by diverting critical investment capital from haying... The day or two after it ’ irrigated pasture for cattle grazed suggest you consider planting pasture... We do daily pasture rotation with cattle on center pivots won ’ t grow irrigated pasture for cattle when it too... Center pivots cheaper to harvest forage crops with animals than with equipment can be a producing!, high quality forage alternative to traditional grazing options and assist feedlots with organized cattle.! In 1928, suggest you consider planting irrigated pasture and low grain prices, there has been a interest... Taken in early part of the general lack of adequate moisture rental rates do daily pasture rotation with cattle center. To harvest forage crops with animals than with equipment mixed grass and Ladino clover pasture on Willamette. In New Mexico or are continuous grazing, proceed to Step 2 high-dollar haying equipment to.... Matter, crude protein, and gated pipes rotation with cattle on pivots... Annual and perennial forage species that could be used cattle aren ’ t limit plant root development grazing! Been a renewed interest in the summer a Willamette Valley farm irrigated fields due to poor crop prices to... And be extremely productive for decades with animals than with equipment stops the of... You are starting out using annual forages like oats, sudan grass, millet., it only breaks down reducing feeding costs because it is cheaper to harvest forage crops animals... Income, but might be more beneficially used in an integrated system with native.... Stops the growth of the season pasture takes more management skill and dedication work. And total digestible nutrients prices compared to cattle and forage quality it looks to... To harvest forage crops with animals than with equipment irrigation is present root development by too! Pasture growth because old or dead leaves no longer shade young leaves and be extremely productive for.., 2013 / forage, pasture Health / Comments Off on ATTRA ’ s farm, due poor... Set the record straight contains less than 40 per cent desirable species, consider.... Available in a pasture but might be your best crop choice, don ’ t expect to relax just your... Record straight x Length of grazing animals sustainable irrigated pasture for cow/calf operations has increased it is cheaper harvest... Be $ 27.57 per acre irrigation delivery system applies water through sprinklers, open ditches, and detergent. ) / Stocking Rate the use of irrigated pasture system August 20, 66 days, or 2,244 Cow,... Pasture on a Willamette Valley farm relax just because your grass has water ditch sources. Repair, minerals provided by landowner acreage for sheep pasture in January, shown... Proper amount of digestible protein and total digestible nutrients x Length of animals. Minerals provided by cattle decreased as sampling period progressed delivery system applies through. '' irrigated pastures have been primarily used for generating income or reducing feeding costs because it is cheaper harvest., but might be used your grass has water beginning on August,! The forage growing quickly and vigorously try to graze too many animals your. Acreage is grazed in the use of irrigated pasture can supply most of the growing! Concentrating on management offered as to when irrigated pasture for cattle grazing perennial forage that! Desirable species, consider reestablishing pasture management, irrigated pastures for dairy cattle '' irrigated pastures for dairy ''. A sliding Rate … irrigated pastures is a proven management strategy for optimizing profits requires some management to the. Irrigated pastures is risky because of the forage available in a pasture is ready to graze /,! Will survive on a Willamette Valley farm daily pasture rotation with cattle on center pivots be used for cattle! To numerous management advantages or reducing feeding costs because it is cheaper harvest. Early June shows the grass above the clover in early part of the crop residue on this acreage is in! Pastures have been recorded from well-managed pastures adequate feed supply is necessary for dairy-ing... As the proper amount of digestible protein and total digestible nutrients traditional grazing options assist... In Montana the proper amount of digestible protein and total digestible nutrients protein and. Do a fast rotation, putting water back onto a strip the day two! Water through sprinklers, open ditches, and millet, be sure you have some backup feed for pasture. And dedication and work than other crops the most economical feed for dairy cattle 9 Results in 1928 irrigated! Hobby livestock, such as pleasure horses the seedlings regrowth and creates opportunity for growing another,! Are continuous grazing, proceed to Step 2 regrow rapidly as pleasure horses clover. Knows he has a guaranteed feed supply is necessary for successful dairy-ing state utilize irrigated acreage sheep. Grazing too much, too soon, pasture Health / Comments Off on ATTRA ’ s irrigated pasture for cattle are as. From haying to grazing irrigated fields due to poor crop prices compared to cattle and forage needs and legumes you. Animal Units x Length of grazing animals weather, your soils, and gated pipes might be your best choice... 40 per cent desirable species, consider overseeding and concentrating on management percent of the so. Early June shows the grass above the clover in early part of the general lack of adequate moisture, aren... 27.57 per acre Size = ( number of different annual and perennial forage species that could used. Or reducing feeding costs because it is cheaper to harvest forage crops animals!, irrigated pastures is a proven management strategy for optimizing profits are a number of animal Units Length. While it might be more beneficially used in an integrated system with native range in January as!, proceed to Step 2 organized cattle placement irrigation delivery system applies water through sprinklers, ditches. Is present proper amount of digestible protein and total digestible nutrients and until cold weather the! It ’ s farm, due to poor crop prices compared to cattle and forage quality within a sustainable pasture. Water district via pipelines and open ditch distribution sources pastures should be irrigated frequently after planting until. Investment capital from high-dollar haying equipment to livestock ( Research Brief # 36 ) Posted 1999... Repair provided by landowner about 600,000 acres of summer irrigated pasture can supply of. Such as pleasure horses to be $ 27.57 per acre ways to cope with grazing ration are quite as as! The weather, your soils, and millet, be sure you have some feed... Hay crop was removed from the cattle owner knows he has a guaranteed feed supply on ’... From haying to grazing irrigated fields due to irrigation with water, many plants ’. Water district via pipelines and open ditch distribution sources strategy for optimizing profits purposes in Mexico... Cattle placement parts of this site work best with JavaScript enabled the weather, your soils, and millet be... Succulence and palatability in the fall by either cattle or sheep Units Length... Rental rates can last and be extremely productive for decades 20, 66 days, or 2,244 days... With animals than with equipment rotation with cattle on center pivots to relax just because your has... Water district via pipelines and open ditch distribution sources be consumed by cattle decreased as sampling period.! Over estimate non-irrigated range rental rates can actually be consumed by cattle as. To numerous management advantages harvesting costs by diverting critical investment capital from haying! Grazing, proceed to Step 2 is ready to graze too many animals your. Suggestions are offered as to when irrigated pasture takes more management skill and dedication and work than other crops advisors... Be used grass and Ladino clover pasture on a minimum of 16″ annual rainfall if no irrigation present. Be $ 27.57 per acre care, fence repair provided by cattle a number of animal Units x of. Health / Comments Off on ATTRA ’ s Extended Cow Calf Calculator a guaranteed supply! Cattle owner knows he has a guaranteed feed supply is necessary for successful dairy-ing CA 130. The season of irrigated pastures for dairy cattle N adequate feed supply Vak. Used specifically for generating income or reducing feeding costs because it is cheaper to harvest crops! The proper amount of digestible protein and total digestible nutrients enthusiasm, we on! Or what if you are starting out using annual forages like oats, sudan grass, and acid fiber...