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

2000 Annual Report for 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

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

Summary

The Southern Iowa Forage and Livestock Committee (SIFLC) has 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.

Objectives/Performance Targets

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

Accomplishments/Milestones

1) Conduct a "hands-on" demonstration day for installing New Zealand style electric fence
A field day was held in September of 2000 at the Adams County CRP Farm. Another field day was held in September 2001 in cooperation with a private landowner who is in the process of implementing a rotational grazing system. Forty people attended the two events, and the information was well received by all in attendance. Four different fence businesses from private industry also participated in the events.

2) Conduct a "hands-on" demonstration day for installing a water distribution system
Three water demonstration days were held during the past year. The first event was held at the Adams County CRP Farm in April. The other two were hosted by private landowners in July and September. Used combine tires were converted to tanks at all three events. Participants were intrigued with the idea of recycling combine tires at a very reasonable cost. Also demonstrated at the events were siphon gravity flow systems, pressurized systems, and limited access systems into farm ponds. A total of one hundred people attended the three events.

3) Incorporate warm season native grasses into an existing grazing system to diversify the forage and lengthen the grazing season
Big Bluestem, Indiangrass and Eastern Gammagrass were incorporated into the grazing system at the Adams County CRP Farm in 2001. They had previously been interseeded into existing tall cool season grass and legumes. They provided abundant and high quality forage for stockers in July and August. A field day was held in July for area producers to witness the amount of forage available. The field day was also an opportunity for participants to learn how to manage warm season grasses as part of a total grazing system. More demonstrations will be held in 2002.

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
Demonstrations were held at the Adams County CRP Farm and on private land in Adair and Harrison Counties. The demonstrations were well attended, with approximately 65 people in attendance. These demonstrations were opportunities for producers to have a better understanding of the benefits legumes provide to cool season grass pastures. In addition, producers gained a more clear understanding of the management steps necessary to not only establish legumes but manage them so they continue to be an integral part of the grazing system. More demonstrations will be held in 2002.

5) Incorporate Kura Clover into a rotational grazing system
Kura Clover is a legume that most producers are not familiar with, but it has shown potential to be very productive in a grazing system. However, it requires special management for establishment. A paddock of Kura Clover was incorporated into the grazing system at the Adams County CRP Farm in 2001. A field day was held at the farm in July to acquaint producers with the forage. Participants left the field day with a better understanding of how to establish and manage Kura Clover. The field day also gave participants a better understanding of how legumes can make a more sustainable grazing system.

6) Conduct 'Hands-on" demonstrations of establishing a stream crossing/access
Demonstrations on limited access into farm ponds for water were held on three producer's farms in 2001. Participants had the opportunity to assist in constructing a "floating" electric fence water access. Also demonstrated was a water access utilizing more conventional gates. All of the demonstrations showed producers that the limited accesses are very beneficial to water quality, and they are a safety feature, which can keep livestock from getting "stuck in the mud". More demonstrations will be held in 2002, with some being stream crossings in addition to water access sites.

7) Conduct "county level" meetings to transfer improved grazing technology to producers
Field days were held during the winter of 2000-2001 for producers to witness the management of grazing crop residues and stockpiled forage. Many producers could improve their management of grazing these resources, which could help producers reduce their costs. Forty people attended the two field days.
A winter meeting was held in Montgomery County to raise producer's level of awareness of the benefits of rotational grazing. Producers learned how to progressively implement improvements to their grazing systems. Four winter meetings are planned for 2002.

8) Facilitate grazing clinics designed for producers ready for the next step in management
Grazing Clinics were held in Adams, Harrison and Lucas Counties. There were 80 participants in the three clinics. Agendas were specific to each site but they all addressed forage management. Participants learned about forage growth and the management of the growth in a grazing system. Utilization and management of cool season grass, legumes and warm season grasses were addressed at the clinics. Additional clinics will be held in 2002.

9) Demonstrate the use of a "tree shear" to control "weedy" trees and brush
There were no special field days held to demonstrate the use of a "tree shear". However, the practice was demonstrated in conjunction with two other events held during the summer of 2001. More demonstrations will be held in 2002.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

This project has consisted of demonstration events. Each event focused on a component of rotational grazing systems. Participants were encouraged to use the information from these demonstrations and incorporate them, as appropriate, into their own grazing system. Progress for the implementation of these components will be dependent upon the participants. Each component when applied has the potential to benefit producers through the establishment of a more sustainable rotational grazing system.
Fence and water systems demonstrations provided producers the opportunity to better understand and become familiar with two key grazing system components. Producers learned how to install these systems and how to use these components to better manage their grazing system. This can improve the opportunities for profit and protect the environment through better grazing management.
Forage improvement through the use of legumes and/or warm season grass can help producers make their grazing systems more sustainable and profitable. The demonstrations gave producers the opportunity to learn how to introduce other forages into a grazing system. Producers also gained a better understanding of how to manage the forages so they would continue to be a viable part of the forage offered in the grazing system. Improved forage management will help improve production and reduce runoff that may be harmful to the environment.
Through the use of water system demonstrations producers learned how they could install water access areas into farm ponds. They learned the accesses can be inexpensive but will provide improved water quality. The concept of a rocked access area was also presented from the standpoint of safety to the livestock. Producers learned that in most situations the loss of one cow, because she was "stuck in the mud" getting water, will more than pay for a limited access area.
The winter meetings and grazing clinics tied many of these concepts together. Producers who incorporate their livestock, pasture and cropland into their total farming operation instead of separate entities will have more opportunities to realize increased profits and benefits to the environment.