CONVERTING A PASTURE INTO A MANAGEMENT INTENSIVE GRAZING SYSTEM
Animal Science
Matt Palmer
Agriculture/4-H Youth Agent
UTAH STATE UNIVERSTIY
EPHRAIM
Abstract
A pilot project was set up to demonstrate a simple method of converting a small pasture into a management intensive grazing system. The 32 cow-calf pairs and 13 yearlings grazed a 35-acre pasture of sub-irrigated meadow land near Spring City, Utah. Electric fencing was purchased and set up to allow cattle to graze five-acre sections on a four-day rotation cycle. A simple water system was used to water the cattle as they grazed the pasture for seven weeks. The pasture provided 59 cow days/acre, which is generally a 30% increase over continuous grazing systems. The improved pasture productivity and the simple conversion methods used by this pilot project caught the interest of livestock producers in the area. This has led to a larger three-ranch demonstration project set to start next grazing season designed to help many livestock producers convert pasture land into management intensive grazing systems.
Authors: Palmer, M.
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Palmer, M. Agriculture/4-HYouth Agent, Utah State Universtiy, Utah, 84627