MANAGEMENT

Pastures provide the opportunity for farmers to feed their animals economically with homegrown forage while, at the same time, reducing environmental pollution by improving both soil and water quality.

It seems that in the last decade many cattle farmers have steadily increased the intensity of cattle moves, some moving multiple times each day. While moving cattle more frequently is generally beneficial to pasture growth as well as increased utilization, it also comes with a cost.

In 2016, National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance created the U.S. Alfalfa Farmer Research Initiative (aka alfalfa checkoff program), whereby participating seed companies voluntarily assessed $1 per bag of alfalfa seed to support public research. We asked some of the seed companies who are participating in the alfalfa checkoff program to tell us why they decided to participate and what reaction they’ve had from producers. Here’s what they said.

Higher-quality alfalfa and grass varieties have the potential to significantly increase milk production and increase the proportion of homegrown feeds in rations. Increased fiber digestibility is the most important quality improvement.

Preconditioning can increase the value of weaned calves as a result of improved growth and overall health. During the preconditioning phase, forages are typically used as part of the base diet and development program for growing calves during a 45- to 60-day period.

Mob grazing is the rage, but what does that even mean? Well, it depends on who you ask. There is a lot of confusion over the term “mob grazing.” Most often, producers who use the term are really talking about management-intensive grazing.