The Rural Voice, 2005-06, Page 45Advice
Tips on ways of finding extra pasture
By Jack Kyle
Pasture Specialist/OMAF'
Are you one of the many
producers who will be carrying
increased livestock numbers this
pasture season?
If this applies to your situation,
there are a number of options to
increase your pasture production this
coming year.
It is important to take steps early
in the season to have the best
opportunities to increase the amount
of available pasture for the 2005
grazing season. What are the
options?
1. Rotational Grazing
Rotational grazing will give
increased forage production and
increased gains per acre.
Plants start to grow again about
five to six days after grazing occurs.
The key to rotational grazing is
the rest period following the grazing.
It is during this rest period that the
plants have an opportunity to
produce new growth and develop
their root systems. The livestock
should be removed from the field
before this new growth is initiated.
A sound rotational grazing system
can result in 25-50 per cent increased
gains per acre. Gain per animal may
not be any higher but the acreage will
support more animals.
2. Apply Nitrogen To Grass
Nitrogen fertilizer will give a
significant increase in grass growth
in any pastures that contain Tess"than
30 per cent legume.
Nitrogen should be applied in
amounts of 40-50 pounds of actual N
per application. Applications should
be four to six weeks apart. The first
application should be made in late
May or early June.
Earlier applications will increase
the early growth, which usually
exceeds the animal needs and
becomes mature. If you are prepared
to use the early season growth for
stored forage, then you could make
the first application in late -April or
early -May, soon after the grass starts
to grow.
It has generally been found that in
a stocker cattle situation, one pound
of nitrogen will produce one pound
of beef.
3. Sorghum -Sudan Or Corn After
1st Cut
In hay fields where the production
level has decreased, consider taking
the first -cut of hay and then plant
sorghum-sudan grass or corn for
grazing, green chop, or silage.
Sorghum-sudan and corn are
warm season grasses that will
produce fairly well with a mid-June
planting. You will have the hay from
the first -cut and the sorghum br corn
for August/September feed.
The corn could actually be left
and then grazed in the fall/winter,
until the snow is too deep for the
livestock.
4. Turnips After Cereals
Early planted spring cereals could
be harvested as forage or grazed.
Then plant a brassica crop. such as
turnips or fodder rape. to give late -
season grazing. Cereals can also be
planted later in the season (late -July
to mid-August) for grazing in
September and October.
5. Purchased Feed
Buy standing hay or baled hay to
supplement your forage supply.
Calculate your needs early and get
your hay lined up so that it is cut at
the optimum time for quality forage.
First -cut hay made in July is going to
have little nutritional value
Purchasing corn silage maybe
another option that might work for
you.
Supplement your livestock with
purchased grain. Currently grain
prices are at a low point and the
grains do supply a high-energy ration
supplement.
6. Ration Balancing
Balance your rations. Feed your
livestock to their needs. do not
underfeed and do not overfeed
Balanced rations are going to give
you the most economical gains.
These are some ideas that can be
utilized to increase your forage
production in 2005.
Continued on 42
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