Grazing Management

Grazing Management The animal, grass, manure, soil, and water are all connected GRAZE FOR NO MORE THAN 5 TO 7 DAYS IMPORTANCE OF GRAZING How you control the animal's grazing can have a big impact on regrowth rates, plant species, forage plant density, and nutrient recycling Animals are to graze an area, and then let that area recover after it has been grazed Moisture, temperature, soil fertility and length of day are the main factors that determine season long growth rate POST GRAZING STUBBLE HOW ANIMALS GRAZE ROOT RESPONSE GRAZING PERIOD short long continuous RECOVERY ALLOWED long short none Animals go for the best plants first and get the most nutrition when first introduced to a pasture. Get the most benefit from your pastures by having animals with higher nutritive requirements graze the best quality forage A recovery period of two to three weeks is desirable before the field is again grazed in the springtime Late summer and early fall, fields may need six to eight weeks of a recovery period Facility Management 10-15 GALLONS OF WATER A DAY SUMMER WATER MANAGEMENT Animals +50% increase water intake by 50 percent in hot weather Horses and cattle need about 10-15 gallons of water per day Sufficient, clean and cool water intake is necessary for optimal health and performance of livestock Water is the most essential necessity. Livestock can go weeks without food but only 2 to 3 days without water WINTER During the wintertime, ice and snow wilI lower body temperature and increase nutrient intake requirements FEED MANAGEMENT Depending on where you live, approximately two tons of hay for winter-feeding per animal is required Divide animals into feeding groups based on nutritional requirements to ensure proper rations Hay is utilized because of its lower cost and heating qualities WINTER Protection from the cold, wind, heat and rain will decrease Three-sided sheds and solid or semisolid fences can serve as windbreaks energy requirements, feed costs, and increase animal comfort FACILITY MANAGEMENT LOWEST CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE in Fahrenheit for livestock is the low teens Managing animals and making sure animal safety is a priority to prevent animal injuries Keep shelters as dry and clean as possible SUMMER To minimize heat stress in livestock make sure they have access to shade. Try to work livestock in the morning when it's cooler Fi-Shock Z AREBA RED SNAP'R PROVIDED BY beefusa.org omafra.gov.on.ca/english anr.ext.wvu.edu fishock.com CITED SOURCES