Technology Transfer of Grazing System Components to Producers Implementing Sustainable Rotational Grazing Systems

Project Overview

LNC00-164
Project Type: Research and Education
Funds awarded in 2000: $24,587.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2002
Matching Federal Funds: $18,000.00
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $30,000.00
Region: North Central
State: Iowa
Project Coordinator:
Mark D. Boswell
Southern Iowa Forage and Livestock Committee

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Agronomic: grass (misc. perennial), hay
  • Additional Plants: native plants
  • Animals: bovine

Practices

  • Animal Production: manure management, pasture renovation, grazing - rotational, watering systems, winter forage, feed/forage
  • Crop Production: nutrient cycling
  • Education and Training: demonstration, extension, farmer to farmer
  • Farm Business Management: whole farm planning
  • Natural Resources/Environment: riverbank protection, soil stabilization
  • Pest Management: chemical control, competition, physical control, precision herbicide use
  • Production Systems: integrated crop and livestock systems

    Abstract:

    The Southern Iowa Forage and Livestock Committee (SIFLC) have been very successful in giving producers opportunities for “hands on” training of rotational grazing system components. There have been winter field days for crop residue and stockpile forage grazing. Fence field days where producers installed a variety of products used in modern electric fence systems. Producers constructed a tank made from an old combine tire and witnessed a variety of limited access water systems. Summer field days also focused on utilizing a variety of forages such as warm season grass, Kura clover and more traditional legumes, all installed with no-till drills.

    Project objectives:

    1)Conduct a “hands-on” demonstration day for installing New Zealand style electric fence

    2)Conduct a “hands-on” demonstration day for installing a water distribution system

    3)Incorporate warm season native grasses into an existing grazing system to diversify the forage and lengthen the grazing season

    4)Demonstrate, in a multi-county area, the management necessary for establishment and maintenance of legumes into grassed-based forage using a no-till drill

    5)Incorporate Kura Clover into a rotational grazing system

    6)Conduct “hands-on” demonstrations of establishing a stream crossing/access

    7)Conduct “county level” meetings to transfer improved grazing technology to producers

    8)Facilitate grazing clinics designed for producers ready for the next step in management

    9)Demonstrate the use of a “tree shear” to control “weedy” trees and brush

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.