As a range consultant with the Grazing School Follow-up Program, many of the ranches I have had the pleasure of working with face similar basic obstacles. With a little help these obstacles often turn into opportunities.
Here is a list of some of the common obstacles people face:
Moving from season-long grazing to a pasture rotation.
Water in the right place in the right quantity.
New fences in the right places.
Mindset – Changing your paradigm.
Drought – A grazing plan helps offset the effects of low rainfall.
Financial demands.
Season-long grazing to pasture rotation
Moving from season-long grazing to a pasture rotation is a common obstacle on this list. Season-long grazing has detrimental effects on plant diversity and soil health. These pastures are slow to recover after a drought and produce less forage than pastures in a rotation. Once the decision has been made to start subdividing pastures and/or combining herds, then grazing planning is key to regenerative management.
Water
Each paddock needs to be adequately watered. If the water source does not supply enough for the herd size, then adding water storage often solves this problem. The cost of supplying water can often be lowered by using above ground pipe in the summer.
Fencing
A cost effective interior fence is one strand high tensile wire with fiberglass posts. These are permanent, resistant to snow loads, and 1/5th the initial cost of barbed wire fences.
Mindset
It is natural for people to be reluctant to change management practices, since at one time they felt good about the management they were doing. Change can be difficult. Effective management often involves making a small change and then observing the results. Correct the mistakes and replan. Always asking the question, “what does nature want me to do?”.
Drought
If the soil in your season-long grazed pastures resembles a brick rather than a sponge, your “effective rainfall” will be a fraction of the water actually hitting the ground. Healthy soil, healthy plants and roots create what nature intended – a soil that resembles a sponge. Healthy soil quickly absorbs the raindrops, holding the water. Water running off your pastures and leaving your ranch is a financial loss. If out of a 2” rain 1 1⁄2” runs off your pasture the effective rainfall is 1⁄2”. After the drought ends, healthy plants growing in healthy soil recover much faster than unhealthy plants in poor soil.
Financial Concerns
Cost share for fencing, water development and grass seedings is available from both government and non-government sources.
Nature is the ultimate low cost ranch manager. Managers can learn how to expand opportunities to lower costs, reduce the impact of drought, increase overall grass production, provide habitat for wildlife, maintain a pleasant working environment and make a profit.
The Grassland Coalition Grazing Schools offer an in-depth study of how to improve the plant and soil health of your pastures. There are three grazing schools offered each summer across the state. You can sign up for a Grazing School HERE.
By Dan Rasmussen, Range Consultant
Source: SDGC Newsletter