“Making a Difference on the Farm with Improved Grazing Systems” was a one and a half day long program that educated forage-livestock producers and professional personnel that interact with producers about important concepts needed to make improvements in grazing systems. Information provided had application to all livestock types that utilize pasture. Much pastureland in Indiana is not meeting its full potential because forages are overgrazed, soil fertility is low, and improved forages are not being utilized. A properly implemented grazing system can reduce the amount of stored feed (hay and silage) fed and can improve the persistence of perennial forage species. Use of improved grazing systems improves the profitability of the farm because stocking rate could increase, but more importantly, livestock graze more days each year, which is less expensive than supplying harvested feed.
The “Making a Difference on the Farm with Improved Grazing Systems” program was held at the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center on June 4 and 5, 2021 and in the Rossville/Cutler Indiana area on June 11 and 12, 2021.
Topics discussed at the program included forage growth and development, identifying different forages, how to use the Web Soil Survey, soil fertility, fencing and watering systems, determining proper stocking rate, nutritional needs of grazing livestock, potential plant-related toxicities, and extending the grazing season with stockpiling, use of corn residues and double crop forages. Much of the education was done with interactive hands-on activities, group discussion, demonstration of new fencing and water distribution technologies, and pasture tours. Enjoy reviewing the pictures!
The June 4 and 5, 2021 “Making a Difference with Improved Grazing Systems” event was held at the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center. Valentina Tamayo, a Colombian University student and a visiting student at Purdue University, came the furthest distance to participate at the grazing school.Jason Tower, Superintendent at the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center, was a member of the planning committee, a host, and instructor for the grazing schools.While some of the grazing school instruction occurred while sitting at tables, much teaching occurred outside in the pasture. Students are learning about how cattle are moved from paddock to paddock.While out in the pasture, Jason Tower states “Over there . . . .John Scott, Purdue Extension Digital Coordinator, flew two unmanned aerial vehicles over the pasture. Behind John is a TV screen that permitted real time viewing of the pasture system. The unmanned aerial vehicle shown, broadcasted seed over an area in the pasture in need of vegetation.Plant growth and development was one of the topics covered at the grazing school. The picture above illustrates differences in storage organ locations with tall fescue (left) and orchardgrass (right).Let the race begin! The fencing reels shown have different revolution gearing so one brings the polywire in three times faster than the other. It was a great demonstration led by instructor Jason Tower.Jason Tower shows attendees the correct way to put up and take down electric fence netting. The netting is a great interior fencing alternative when grazing small ruminants.Direct access to electricity for fencing is not necessary with solar panel use. This technological advancement allows improved grazing systems in locations once thought impossible.Grazing school students observe plant diversity and goats in a rotational grazing program.A grazing school objective was to see different livestock species in a grazing system. Meat goats at the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center were observed out in the pasture.Group interaction was encouraged in the field to identify different plant species. Resource materials were provided to help identify plants. Students were introduced to an app that is available at no cost for identifying plants and insects.Rodney Hufford with Middlefork Meadows farms brought a forage floral arrangement that illustrated the diversity of forages in his pastures. Rodney was the host farmer at the Rossville/Cutler grazing school location.A closeup example of some of the fencing and watering supplies that were discussed with grazing school students with the leadership of Jason Tower and Susannah Hinds, NRCS Grazing Specialist.Grazing school students learned morphological parts of forage plants. Group interaction was encouraged. The mentor/mentee relationship worked well.Students were shown how mineral feeders (shown) and water tanks are moved from paddock to paddock.Pastured laying hens were part of the in-pasture learning experience.Students learned how to assess a pasture for its attributes with the NRCS evaluation tool.Soil health was a discussion topic as diverse forages had been recently established on soil that previously was used for row crop production. Joe Rorick, Purdue University Cropping Systems Conservation Agronomist, shared what he noted in the soil.Jason Tower shows students a rising plate meter and an electronic device used to estimate pasture yield productivity.
Indiana Forage Council 