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Management techniques for grazing & improving marginal pasture
Project Details
Project Lead: Jane Thornton (Manitoba Agriculture - retired), Mae Elsinger (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada)
Years: 2015-2021
Project Status: Complete
Funding & In-Kind Support: Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Growing Forward II, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Location: First Street Pasture
Scope: Demonstration
Keywords: Grazing Management, Livestock Performance, Perennial Forages
Approach
A simple low-cost rotational system has been operating since 2015. A mob grazing paddock was implemented in 2019. Pasture and livestock performance are monitored.
Key Findings
Forage Yield:
Forage yield is highly dependent on precipitation
This effect makes it hard to determine if forage yield has improved since starting grazing rotations
Mob grazing:
Not enough data yet to tell if mob grazing improved forage yield.
Forage Quality & Livestock Performance:
Forage is mostly grassy and doesn’t meet nutritional standards without mineral supplementation and additions of legumes to pasture
However, cows are generally maintaining condition and successfully raising calves
Stocking Rates & Carrying Capacity:
Stocking rates have generally increased in 2015
Stocking rates have never reached the long-term carrying capacity
Livestock Distribution:
Litter indicates some areas are underutilized
Cattle congregate at water sources, treed areas, gates, and favoured grazing areas. Cattle did not congregate at mineral feeders
Partitioning Paddock H did not change cattle distribution
Full Reports:
2020 Interim Report:
2019 Interim Report:
2017 Final Reports:
2016 Interim Reports:
Low cost management techniques to improve pasture production
Effects of a simple rotational grazing system on forage production and soil fertility
2015 Interim Reports:
Related Projects at MBFI:
Industry Resources:
Grazing Management - BCRC
Nutrition in Beef Cattle - BCRC
Is it Time to Start Grazing - video by Manitoba Agriculture