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An Introduction to Managed Grazing for Sheep and Goat Producers

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An Introduction to Managed Grazing for Sheep and Goat Producers An Introduction to Managed Grazing for Sheep and Goat Producers This publication is available to view or download on- line at http://www.ablamb.ca © 2013 Alberta Lamb Producers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, or by any means Alberta Lamb Producers whatsoever, without the prior written con- Agriculture Centre, sent of Alberta Lamb Producers. No part of 97 East Lake Ramp NE this publication can be used or reproduced Airdrie, AB T4A 0C3 without acknowledging that Alberta Lamb Phone: 403-948-8533 Producers is the author of this publication Fax: 403-912-1455 and is the owner of the copyright. For further Email: [email protected] information contact Alberta Lamb Producers at (403) 948-8533. Author: The Parties further agree that any repro- Stephanie Kosinski duction, publication or distribution of the Forage Specialist, Resource Manual by the Parties or any licen- Ag-Info Centre, Leduc see of the Parties shall contain the following Alberta Agriculture and Rural legal disclaimer: Development This document is provided by Alberta Lamb Producers and may be used for informational and resource purposes only. In developing this document Alberta Lamb Producers has Review: compiled the information in good faith, has used the most current information available Susan Hosford and has taken reasonable efforts to ensure Sheep Industry Specialist that the contents are accurate and reliable. Livestock and Farm Business Alberta Lamb Producers does not, however, Branch, Camrose warrant the quality, timeliness, adequacy, Alberta Agriculture and Rural accuracy, suitability or completeness of the Development contents of this document. Alberta Lamb Producers shall not be liable or responsible for any claim or damage, direct or indirect, Woody Lane arising out of the interpretation, reliance upon or other use of this information. This docu- Ruminant Nutritionist, ment is not intended to be a definitive state- Forage Specialist ment of small ruminant business practices. Lane Livestock Services The information in this document should not Roseburg, Oregon, USA be used as a substitute for obtaining suitable professional advice. Publisher Alberta Lamb Producers Cover photo credits: Sheep - T Hagedorn AARD Goats - Jackie Dunham This publication has been made possible through joint funding from Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, and Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency. © 2013, Alberta Lamb Producers Contents 1. Introduction to Managed Grazing ...................................................................... 1 What is Managed Grazing? ......................................................................................... 1 Why Use Managed Grazing? ...................................................................................... 2 Economic Benefits ................................................................................................... 2 Environmental Benefits ............................................................................................ 2 Pasture Benefits ....................................................................................................... 2 Animal Benefits ........................................................................................................ 3 Where Is Managed Grazing Used? ............................................................................. 3 When Should Managed Grazing Be Used? ................................................................. 3 Who Uses Managed Grazing? .................................................................................... 3 Getting Started ........................................................................................................... 4 Practical Ideas ............................................................................................................ 4 Are You Using Managed Grazing? ............................................................................ 4 2. Understanding Plant Growth and Making It Work for You ............................. 5 How Grasses and Legumes Grow .............................................................................. 5 How Grasses Grow .................................................................................................. 7 How Legumes Grow ................................................................................................ 9 How Your Pastures Respond to Grazing ................................................................... 10 How to Get the Most Out of Your Pasture ............................................................... 10 Managing Forage Growth ........................................................................................11 Use Plant Growth Patterns ......................................................................................11 Grazing Systems to Help Manage Plant Production and Quality............................. 13 Use Rotational Grazing ........................................................................................... 13 Graze Annual Cereals or Winter Cereals ................................................................. 14 Annual Cereals ..................................................................................................... 14 Winter Cereals ..................................................................................................... 14 Extend the Grazing Season - Stockpiling Forage .................................................... 15 Extend the Grazing Season with Swath Grazing ..................................................... 16 Estimating Forage Yield ........................................................................................... 17 Clipping .................................................................................................................. 17 Practical Ideas .......................................................................................................... 18 3. The Road to a Productive Pasture .................................................................... 18 Fertility ..................................................................................................................... 18 Soil Testing ............................................................................................................. 20 What Nutrients Are Important? .............................................................................. 20 Nitrogen (N) .......................................................................................................... 20 Phosphorous (P) ................................................................................................... 20 Potassium (K) ....................................................................................................... 21 Sulphur (S) ............................................................................................................ 21 Controlling Weeds .................................................................................................... 21 Cultural Control ....................................................................................................... 22 Mechanical Control ................................................................................................. 22 Animal Control ........................................................................................................ 22 Herbicidal Control ................................................................................................... 23 Rejuvenation: How to Rejuvenate Your Current Pastures ......................................... 24 Assess the Current State of Your Pastures ............................................................ 24 Integrated Control ................................................................................................... 24 Pasture Assessment .............................................................................................. 25 Planning to Rejuvenate Pastures ............................................................................ 26 Methods to Use to Rejuvenate Your Pastures ........................................................ 26 Managed Grazing ................................................................................................... 26 Fertilizer .................................................................................................................. 27 Herbicides .............................................................................................................. 28 Winter Feeding on Pastures ................................................................................... 28 Seeding Legumes or Grasses into Under-Producing Pastures ............................... 28 Sod-Seeding / Direct Seeding .............................................................................. 29 Over-seeding ........................................................................................................ 29 Frost Seeding ....................................................................................................... 29 Renovation: Establishing Successful Pastures .......................................................... 30 Planning Before You Start to Seed ......................................................................... 30 Growing Points and Grazing ................................................................................... 31 Weed Control before Seeding ...............................................................................
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