Forage and Pasture
300 Days of Grazing Program
Livestock producers have suffered and continue to suffer from increasing
input costs. Never in history have the cost of feed, fertilizer and fuel
increased so dramatically over a short period of time. Producers are challenged
to determine what management adjustments are right for their operation. Some
have already chosen not to purchase expensive fertilizer while others reduced
the amount of fertilizer based upon what they could afford. Some producers have
adjusted livestock numbers while others cut costs in other areas. Regardless of
how livestock producers elect to manage their costs, production may be
negatively impacted, and many livestock producers will be faced with economic
losses in the coming years.
In an effort to help livestock producers with managing their "bottom line,"
the 300 Day Grazing Program was developed. Since the cost of feed, fertilizer
and fuel have increased, the goal of the 300 Day Grazing Program is to implement
management changes to enhance the utilization of grown forages and reduce
dependency on fertilizer, supplemental feed and fuel.
Farm demonstrations were developed to illustrate management practices to
increase the number of grazing days, reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizer and
to improve storing and hay-feeding efficiency. These demonstrations are designed
to measure outcomes in order to determine savings or improved returns over
conventional management. All livestock (beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, sheep
and goats) can participate in and benefit from the 300 Day Grazing Program
demonstrations. The demonstrations include:
1) Stockpiled forages
a. warm season
b. cool season
2) Improving grazing management (rotational grazing)
3) Complimentary forages
a. winter annuals
b. summer annuals
4) Legume establishment
5) Efficient hay management
a. reducing storage loss
b. reducing feeding loss
The protocol for each demonstration is listed below:
All of the 300 Day Grazing Program demonstrations can have a positive impact
on increasing the number of grazing days, reducing nitrogen fertilizer needs, or
improving hay management efficiency. Implementing one of these demonstrations
may not reach the goal of 300 days of grazing with only 60 to 65 days of hay
feeding. Therefore, a few farms will be selected to demonstrate how these
management practices can be implemented cumulatively to achieve 300 days of
grazing. The application deadline for the 300 Day of Grazing Whole Farm Program
is October 1, 2008. The 300 Day Grazing Program demonstrations and Whole Farm
Program is a three-year commitment.
Contact your local county agent, if you are interested in participating with
one or more of the 300 Day Grazing Program demonstrations. In order to be
considered for the 300 Day Grazing Program, an application must be completed by
the livestock producer and the county agent.
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