Volume 25, No. 3 ‘by graziers, for graziers’ March 2018

Seeking balance in a grassfed herd Amos Nolt wants balanced cows and rations

Shiloh, Ohio — Stripped of all the bells, whistles and miracle prod- ucts, the secret to getting a lot of milk out of a cow is to put plenty of the right feed into the right cow in the right situation. Greg Palen For Amos Nolt, that strategy also Amos Nolt figures bigger, but balanced, cows are the best for his no-grain dairy. applies to getting milk from cows that are Amos feels he could have main- very easily,” he asserts. herd is at (or above) that mark while never fed tained a higher milk flow had Amos is familiar to many Graze gaining an average Grassmilk price By Joel McNair grain. he chosen to break into some better- readers, having been part of our Or- above $35/cwt. last year. Amos quality baleage during a summer dry ganic Forum group for several years. In 2007 Amos was milking a cross- has the results to back his views, as period. In October 2007 he was featured on bred herd that included his original his 34 cows produced about 14,500 In any event, he isn’t too worried our cover for his feeding management Black-and-White Holstein breeding lbs. of milk per cow (including milk about the situation. Per-cow produc- that included no grain other than a crossed with Ayrshire and Swedish fed to calves) in 2016 from forages, tion had previously climbed steadily few daily pounds of barley harvested Red genetics, with the emphasis mov- a 1:1 mineral and salt mix from Elite from 12,500 lbs. despite cutting out as baleage at dough stage, and fed ing toward the Reds. In that article Nutrition, and 2-3 daily ounces/head the few pounds of immature barley outside the main pasture season. he expressed confidence that the herd of raw vinegar, but no grains, molas- Amos was feeding prior to joining Back then his herd average was at could reach 15,000 lbs. of milk on ses or any other additives. Tough CROPP/Organic Valley’s Grassmilk 14,000 lbs./cow, which was pretty pasture, forages and barley baleage. weather knocked that back to about program a few years ago. good for cows that gained so little of Instead the milk average soon 13,900 lbs./cow for 2017, although “I see myself doing 15,000 lbs. their feed energy from grain. Now the began sliding backward. “I found that the Swedish Red and Ayrshire made a good cross, but the three-quarters Red didn’t milk as well,” Amos says. “I To grow, no-grain dairy needs help had lost lactation persistence.” He had also lost some frame size. The market must help farmers to improve their operations So six years ago he started breed- ing with Red Holstein genetics from By Paul and of the farms I recently asked, but they were averaging Burket Falls Farm in East Freedom, Phyllis Van Amburgh just over $44/cwt., which included all the farm expenses PA. Amos likes red cows for heat and depreciation but did not include family living or the tolerance and says that Burket Falls Grassfed milk is not cheap to produce. We analyzed principal payments on their loans,” she explained. Flack offered mid-size Holstein frames that the numbers from five “100% grassfed” organic dairies is participating in a USDA-SARE grant (which also avoided other physical extremes. in upstate New York — four calving year-round and one includes Cornell University and the University of Ver- “Thirteen-hundred pounds (body- spring-seasonal, with herd sizes ranging from 35 to 120 mont) that is studying no-grain dairies, and she expects weight) would be the biggest I want cows. Average annual production on these farms ranged to have additional cost data in the near future. to go,” he says. from 7,000 to 10,000 lbs. per cow. Yes, these are very high numbers. But from talking Amos has all of his first-calf heifers For 2017, we found a range of $11.64-$17.48 per with many farmers, along with consultants, contractors analyzed through aAa Animal Analy- cwt. of milk shipped in out-of-pocket feed costs alone. and Extension specialists trained in providing compre- sis and selects bulls according to what This includes costs for seed, equipment, fuel, land rent hensive economic analyses, we’ve found that farmers the numbers indicate his animals and purchased feeds, and includes the cost of feeding always underestimate their own cost of production. require in terms of phenotype im- replacements. When we started our survey, we asked some of the provement. “I want a balanced cow,” Sarah Flack, a consultant working with grass-based farmers for their COP estimate. They were surprised he explains. “That is very important dairy farms, told us she sees total cost of production for when we came back later to show them their costs were to me.” those feeding no grain ranging from “the mid-30s” to $10-$12/cwt. higher. He says his spring-calving (March- “well over $50”. April) group, which comprises the “This is just a snapshot of information from a handful continued on page 7 continued on page 2

Handling Give ‘em Biological Talking Getting Fixing pork and health manure proof breeds thin butter problems

Pages 4-6 Page 8 Page 11 Page 13 Page 16 Page 20 Page 2 March 2018 Grassfed balance

continued from page 1 “The transition is still tough on them, and in late July and August majority of his herd, peaks at an they could look better,” Amos average of about 65 lbs. of daily milk, notes. But they still freshen at maintains 50 lbs. through July barring about 24 months, “and our first- a drought, stays close to 45 lbs. into calf production is better than at late lactation if supplemented with any time since we were feeding good baleage, and dries off at or near a lot of grain to Holsteins in our Greg Palen 40 lbs. early days.” Amos Nolt thinks a little bigger is a little better when it comes to no-grain cows. One downside to the shift back to Holsteins has been a slide in butter- Reed canarygrass season he clips it down to four inches. been pre-clipping during the second fat, from a 4.2% lactation average to He says the barley was always a While reed canary initially will be rotation through, usually from about 3.8%. Total lactation butterfat aver- ration balancer rather than a milk only about 20% of the pasture stand, May 10 through June 10. Amos keeps ages 511 lbs., with protein at 404 lbs. maker, so the key was finding another Amos notes that it gradually over- his 13-foot discbine hooked up to a He has also seen somewhat lesser forage that would balance his high- takes the clovers, eventually neces- tractor, and usually cuts three acres breed-back performance. Amos says protein pasture and forages. sitating renovation of the stand. Early of 12- to 20-inch tall pasture down to that while moving some freshenings That’s where the reed canarygrass on there’s no need for added nitrogen, about a four-inch stubble. This pro- back is OK given CROPP’s emphasis comes in. For about 10 years Amos but as the years pass he applies more vides a day and a half of feed (three on winter milk, he intends to keep has been seeding a low-alkaloid manure from the farm’s contract feeding breaks) and requires about replacement heifers only from spring- variety in a pasture mix with birds- broiler barn. half an hour of his time. calving cows. foot trefoil, meadow fescue and white “The soil is built up here, and the “The results well worth the effort,” At the same time, he has no com- clover. He claims that refractometer poultry litter helps a lot,” he notes. he asserts. plaints about body condition scores readings show that “the highest-sugar Currently in one-third of his pad- Amos says the partially wilted even as his herd grows a little bigger grass is reed canarygrass.” docks, Amos plans to eventually have forages are buffering rumens, and he in stature — and produces more milk Not everyone loves canarygrass, as canarygrass in all of his grazing areas. believes that dry matter intakes have — with each passing year. it requires lots of nitrogen for maxi- been increased by the pre-cutting. He stopped feeding grain to calves mum growth, suffers reduced palat- Pre-cutting pasture What he’s most certain of is that about six years ago. Now they are of- ability if not grazed or harvested on His focus on providing a balanced the herd is more willing to consume fered one gallon of whole milk twice time, and can easily crowd out other forage ration also influences graz- stemmy mature grasses after they’ve daily in a single group of 10-12 calves forages. ing strategy. Amos used to follow been cut. If they’re left standing, the that are weaned simultaneously when Amos says quality is fine if the the conventional practice of clipping cows tend to choose the high-protein the youngest is three months old. cows are turned in when it’s about behind the cows in the latter weeks of tops. After weaning they are placed in the 14 inches tall, but acknowledges his spring to remove seedheads and other “That’s when would get the dairy herd and rotated along with the cows will take it down to only seven refusal. squirts,” he explains. “With the pre- cows through the farm’s best pastures. inches. So twice during the grazing But for the past four years he’s clipping they’re getting the whole Page 3 plant. They’re eating long-stem quality goes beyond the harvest stage. to have some to sell,” Amos explains. forages, and they’re getting a better “I couldn’t believe “A cow has to have fresh hay every “The self-sufficiency part is the name variety instead of just what they like day. She’ll eat twice as much hay if of the game in dairy. I never made a best.” that I hadn’t done it it’s fresh. It has to be fresh.” lot of money on bought feed. Feeding Amos says that body condition earlier.” someone else’s hay just doesn’t cut and MUN scores have become more Self sufficiency it.” stable with the changeover, and milk Amos says he has reduced his herd At least for Amos, neither does higher-protein forages. production also appears to be getting in recent years, and he may cut back feeding grain. That’s one view that The sorghum/soybean mix is har- a boost. Another benefit is uniform even more because the farm mortgage hasn’t changed over the past 10 years, vested in August about 60 days after regrowth, although Amos is willing to has been paid off and some rental as he views the Grassmilk pay price planting, yielding anywhere from cut again prior to the following graz- ground was lost. He is adamant about as “just a bonus” for a management three to six tons of dry matter de- ing round if weather conditions are growing and harvesting all of his feed system that was already profitable. pending on the field and the weather creating rapid growth. needs from his 127 owned and 26 Says Amos, “I still don’t think I’m conditions. While cows do not eat 100% of the rented acres. losing a single pound of milk from Oats and red clover are then seeded “I don’t like to buy feed, and I like not feeding grain.” clipped pasture, Amos figures that the for a fall mechanical harvest prior to “waste” is feeding soil life. He will the oats heading out. These bales can set aside pastures for haying when the replace the sorghum/soybean forage forages get much above 20 inches. in the mixed ration. He notes, “After I started doing Amos allocates about eight pounds this, I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t of daily hay per head during the graz- done it earlier. What took so long? ing season, but doesn’t force his cows Anybody who is post-clipping should to clean it up. Indeed, he feels that consider doing this.” too many graziers make a mistake by placing feed utilization ahead of cow Feedbunk balance intake. The canarygrass mix also figures prominently in the feed bunk ration. Lots of fresh feed The standard forage ration com- For no-grain dairies, Amos says ing from the farm’s vertical mixer that feed volume is very important. “It includes part of a round bale of takes huge volumes of hay to make canarygrass hay wrapped at relatively milk no-grain, and a cow should not low moisture, up to one bale with a have a licked-up trough in front of high percentage of red clover, and her,” he asserts. “The more she eats, a third bale of forage sorghum and the better.” immature soybeans (male-sterile for- Quality is just as important to age sorghum seeded at 12 lbs./acre, Amos, and he works hard to put up soybeans at 50 lbs.) to balance out the high-quality forages. But in his mind,

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travel a long way to reach water, so lane maintenance through the winter is critical. Lanes can easily turn to ice, so I spread bedding, sawdust or compost to provide traction. Typically this needs to be done a few times each winter. If temperatures stay cold enough we will also run a temporary lane next to the original, making it 300 to 400 feet wide to give the cows better footing up and down the hills. To keep cattle out of the wind and manure distributed, I will advisors use trees, hills or manmade windbreaks of bales or wagons. But I make sure to This month’s question: allow access to these areas only when needed. I do use bedding throughout the winter, and the placement is determined How do you handle manure? by the weather. If temperatures and wind allow, I place the bedding out in the open, also concentrating it behind windbreaks only when needed. Most of these If you have a question you’d like addressed, contact Graze. packs will break down during the upcoming growing season with little to no stirring or tillage. Years ago I was more concerned with moving the bedding packs and refused hay before the next growing season, fearing the material would smother the pasture. I have since learned that it takes a very deep layer Olaf Haugen to affect the pasture, and that my time is much better spent on things other than stirring these areas. The few packs that are too deep or are in places that do not Manure handling is definitely part of my overall grazing and feeding strat- need fertility are pushed into a pile and left to com- egy, and I view it as a cost that can be avoided or greatly reduced by how I feed post until fall or the following spring, when they are cattle. Summer manure handling is all about cattle movement. Twice-daily (or hauled onto pasture. more frequent) moves, no water tanks in paddocks, random paddock entrance I feed some silage at the buildings, so I do have to and exit points — all help to keep cattle from concentrating in the same points haul around 25 loads of manure a year. This can be year after year. done mainly in the fall and winter, as I have some Winter distribution is more of a challenge. Our cattle are outwintered. If flat concrete to store a limited amount of semi-solid done correctly, outwintering can eliminate having to move most of the manure manure from the feed bunk area. We also have a generated. But outwintering areas must be moved around from year to year to small Slurrystore tank for holding the parlor wash spread nutrients. This can present challenges with getting feed to cattle, getting water. This is sprayed on slopes that are too steep cattle to water, and finding shelter from the wind. for machinery using aluminum pipe and a travel- I try to view winter feeding much the same as summer grazing, but with me ing irrigation gun. Although at 98% water this does moving the forage to the paddock. Through the fall we start supplementing the not have much for nutrients, these slopes appear to dairy cows with hay fed in rings on pastures. We start on one end of a field strip benefit from the irrigation. and move toward the opposite end. Dry-cow bales are moved out to a paddock Overall manure distribution has been good, and the paddocks where we feed in late November or December. This allows me to move feed on dry dirt rather in the winter have responded to the nutrients. I try to look at manure distribu- than snow, as many parts of the farm become inaccessible to equipment after tion as a long-term project where the goal is to cover the farm in five to ten the snow falls. Bale grazing is controlled by hot wires that provide access to years rather than trying to reach every corner each year with a little manure. 8-10 bales at a time, with the rings moved by hand. A few of the good points of feeding most feed out on pasture: Through the dry period, often these paddocks are the ones farthest from the 1. We are putting the nutrients where they are needed, while reducing costs as- barn, as they are the ones in most need of additional fertility. This means cows sociated with manure and feed handling. Semen Now Available to U.S. Dairy Producers From the 90-year old NZ Ardachie Herd: Homozygous Polled Bulls—$18/unit

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2. Cattle are much cleaner because they have areas much larger compared to even distribution of nutrients. Obviously on the other side of this sits the solids. sheds and dedicated feeding areas. It was always our goal to haul the solids with V spreaders and box spreaders to 3. I believe we break up some diseases and parasite issues by constantly mov- the farther pastures and hayfields. While I still like this idea, we flat out never ing the feeding areas. made it work with our small equipment lineup. We would run out of time in A few of the challenges: the fall, and in our area it is much easier getting custom tanker applicators than solid-spreading operations. We always 1. Moving feed to the farthest corners of the farm requires planning, as most found ourselves going into winter with locations are not accessible with snow cover. We have learned too many solids in the pit, and they 2. Keeping lanes clear enough to move cattle can be challenging when condi- were adding up over time. tions are right for forming ice. some lessons about We have moved to a much simpler 3. We need to keep a constant eye on the weather, and move cattle, feed or bed- how to manage. system that involves agitating the ding accordingly. pit and spreading this mixed manure 4. Warm weather is tough. When the temperatures are cold we have concrete on hayfields and pastures alike. The everywhere. But when we get long stretches of mild weather, mud becomes an consistency is easy to spread with multiple types of spreaders and allows us to issue. pull in local custom help when needed. We still end up having solids to spread, Olaf Haugen milks cows near Canton, Minnesota. but it is a far more tolerable amount that we can better manage with our smaller equipment. We track the pastures and fields that need manure, and typically shoot for Philip Witmer 8,000 gallons per acre at each application. We have made some huge soil health gains based on both production and soil testing. The timing of our spreading We have a 150,000-gallon pit that stores manure generated from our feed has remained the same for hayfields, but for pastures we now wait until the end alley for the milking herd. A separate 8,000-gallon pit catches wash water and of the grazing season. However, if we are turning over a pasture to an annual or manure from the dairy, and this is pumped out and spread on pasture with an a new grazing mix, we will certainly use the manure as a starter fertilizer. Ecostream irrigator. With our youngstock fed outside we use bale rings and feeder wagons that Additionally, we dry-stack manure on shale feed pads near the pastures and woods that are used for outwintering dry cows, heifers and calves. “Dry stack” continued on page 6 is a relative term depending on how much it has been raining or snowing. We haul this manure to hayfields away from the milking platform. Our phosphorus and potassium levels are high on our dairy pastures, so we export some of the nutrients to where they are more beneficial. The slurry from the manure pit continues to go on the dairy pastures. We spread this on annual ryegrass and millet pastures that are used in our pasture Prairie Creek Seed offers a superior selection of Alfalfas, Grasses, Cover Crops, renovation scheme as a break year from our usual alfalfa/grass mix. Every five and other Forages for all grazing applications. We are here to help you with your to seven years, each paddock will get a couple of good doses of dairy slurry. pasture needs through practical recommendations and excellent seed genetics. Otherwise the cows spread the remainder of the nutrients as they are rotating. In the spring we run a pasture harrow over the winter pastures to better Try our DiverseMaster! A distribute the manure. During the grazing season, manure is dispersed more blend formulated with a wide evenly due to the fact that there are water troughs at several locations within range of species made to each paddock. Also, we run 12-hour breaks and use a back fence with leader/ sustain a healthy pasture. follower grazing. We have shade trees in some pastures, and nutrients do seem Check out Renovator, it is a 6 to concentrate under them. I have yet to find a good way to manage that, other specie blend that provides than letting the cows go back to the barn for shade. diversity that supports forage quality and yield. Philip Witmer milks cows on a certified organic dairy near Dayton, Virginia. Eric Sheffer Check out our New website at PrairieCreekSeed.com Give Us a Call! 877.754.4019 We were quite fortunate in terms of manure handling infrastructure when we started out as seasonal graziers. We have a 500,000-gallon manure pit that was cost-shared and put in well before the start of grazing, so I guess we have been a little spoiled. With that said, we have made several changes and learned some lessons about how to manage this manure. Early on we kept it very simple. We would simply let the pit separate itself, and not agitate. Since the manure would sit for much of the year, there was a significant percentage of the pit that was solely dark water. This didn’t carry a large amount of nutrients, but it made an excellent pasture additive for the spring, fall and even the grazing season. Consistency was thin enough that we would not see any refusal, and it spread in a very nice pattern that made for an Page 6 March 2018

to a manure pit. Two other banks are packed dirt, with a concrete block wall on Advisors the fourth side. As with the bedding pack, the concrete pad is used mainly in the winter for feeding and loafing. Each winter day we scrape the manure and waste continued from page 5 into the pit. We try to turn this pit manure once during the summer before it gets are constantly moved around the field. Also, we typically rotate where they are hauled out to pasture. We have enough storage with both the bedded pack and fed from season to season. While we certainly can tell where the feeders were, manure pit so that we only need to clean these out annually. We usually spread the entire pasture shows improvements right away. If the mud gets bad we will on pastures sometime from July through November. sometimes lightly smooth out the soil and spread seed, but many times the Phase 3 is out on pasture during the grazing season, where we move our natural progression in these areas will lead to excellent growth of grasses and herds every six to twelve hours for optimal manure and urine distribution (and clovers seeded by bales and animals. Keeping the feeders away from the gates of course forage quality). From our experience, comfortable, content animals and water keeps the heifers from bunching up at these areas during wind or usually do not group at water tanks or exit gates. This happens when they are weather events. hungry or hot. If they are stressing from heat, we give them access to a large During the grazing season we simply let nature take its course with manure shaded area where they can spread out for a couple of hours. If they appear to and urine on pastures. We do not drag manure in any way and do not intend to be hungry, we give them a new break of grass. try, as there is simply not enough extra time in the day to spend on a tractor that In our first 10 years of farming we had refusal spots in paddocks, so we sucks down tons of fuel. Also, I am a firm believer that if the bugs are working added a cross-wire behind the cows. This helped convince them to uniformly properly in your soils, manure shouldn’t affect grazing performance. Our bugs graze all areas of the paddock, and this helped make for more uniform manure are working. We set up our pastures so that the majority of the water points distribution. This equates to high-density grazing, and it helps improve animal are not overly close to the gateways. The few pastures that have the gates and performance due to the competition with animals grazing in front of, behind watering areas close to each other show some problems with too much mud and on either side. We also unroll some dry round bales of hay each fall at night and manure in those areas. While the problems haven’t been serious enough to in certain paddocks to help extend the grazing season, and this really helps with cause us to install new watering spots, the issue is growing exponentially as the the fertility. herd grows. All told, Phase 3 is by far the best due to requiring less labor, and it is the most exciting because of the results we see. Eric Sheffer milks cows on a certified organic dairy near Hoosick Falls, NewYork. David Erb milks cows on a certified organic dairy near Brinkhaven, Ohio. David Erb Our manure handling is done in three different phases. No. 1 involves a 40- Andy Cooper by-72 foot bedded pack used primarily through the winter months for loafing I store very little manure around my facility, as cows are on pasture 365 days and bedding down. It is also used year-round as a holding area for the adjacent a year. The cows are mostly on sacrifice lots during the winter, and the manure milking area. We add some green wood shavings almost every day through the load gets quite heavy. Since I harvest very little winter, and stir or rake the pack twice daily during that time to promote aera- hay on the farm and purchase most feed, nutrient tion and boost the composting effect. This also mixes manure into the pack movement isn’t a concern. I’m just getting a lot of while bringing up shavings, which results in cleaner cows. someone else’s nutrients on my sacrifice lots. I try to Phase 2 is an outside concrete feeding pad with an attached concrete slope rotate sacrifice areas on a monthly basis — when one gets muddy, I go on to the next. With few freezing days the manure breaks down better than it would further north, so we don’t get a lot of buildup. I don’t worry so much about the mud here in Ten- nessee as long as I can get away from it before calv- ing. Summer shade areas used to be a bigger con- cern, but I increased the speed at which shade areas are rotated, and now make sure the cows really need shade before I turn them to it. All they get is 2-5 p.m. on the hottest days. At 5 p.m. they get moved to the milk parlor, so they get shade in there until dark. Stock tank areas have never been a problem because most of my paddocks have multiple watering points on opposite sides. My facility manure handling has never been quite up to my expectations. I have too little to justify a state of the art system, but enough to make my cov- ered 16,000-gallon concrete pit and pumping system unhandy. I spend all day unclogging, then the Houle pump empties the pit in 45 minutes. The manure is spread through seven Irripods with 14 mm nozzles. I’d like to have a little more concrete and additional flush water storage to generate more slurry, and then pump more often. My problem point is where the cows exit the parlor, and fix- ing that is my current project.

Andy Cooper milks cows near Morrison, Tennessee. Page 7

We want to offer several thoughts grassfed producer’s money comes No-grain dairy about the future and what we as a by way of pay price. This money is community of grassfed farmers need required to provide the minerals not to do to actually create a regenera- currently in our soils and forages. continued from page 1 that the ecology to support 100% grassfed dairy production is not ad- tive agriculture that has healthy farms These amendments are expensive: Why are the costs so high? For equate. with healthy, productive cattle. you can easily approach $1/head per day for a comprehensive feed mineral one thing, early data suggest grassfed This is serious business. Our Old ways won’t work farms are producing 25-40% less milk success as grassfed producers will program. Other feed supplements may than their grain-fed organic neighbors. depend upon having healthy cows Conventional methods for maxi- also have a place here. Also, more forage is required without and soils, along with the expertise to mizing production per cow, feeding The pay price must be adequate to grain, and therefore more land. achieve these goals. less milk to calves, or running more support these costs to the operation. They cannot be left out or ignored. According to the first year of data Most people underestimate the body condition off the herd in order to from the USDA-SARE grant, these complexity of creating healthy land flush more cash into the system move Along with pay price, a drive for farms average 5.5 acres per cow. This and cows. It takes time, money and, us in exactly the wrong direction. continuous improvement will be nec- includes 1.7 acres of pasture, with the most importantly, the ability to gather We have personally experienced the essary to advance the program. The rest of the acreage for harvested crops and execute the right expertise. “crash and burn” of grassfed, and it is range of expertise between the begin- nothing to toy with. It can put an end ners and the early adopters is dramatic on the farms that produce all of their Monitoring the aspects of our farms to your farming career fast. in grassfed. own forages. that indicate health and long-term At the same time, anyone who has viability is essential to this kind of Grassfed is far and away the most been grassfed for more than 10 years The degraded resource improvement. difficult production model, with will admit it is a challenging model And the grassfed dairies in our This monitoring should include a the fewest tools. While competent and one that teaches us daily. We have part of the world are dealing with a pasture analysis, examining manure/ grassfed farmers believe we can make made tremendous progress in genet- degraded resource base. Phyllis has litter decomposition rates, water infil- more milk per cow in the future, we ics, grazing management and how we monitored many farms over the past tration capability, forage population must do it within the confines of the feed the cows, but we still have a long two years. They are good farms, many health, biodiversity and erosion. Soil nutrition currently available to the way to go. with high-lime soils. organic matter should be sampled at cows. The grassfed markets need to make Yet the monitoring revealed that 12-inch depths. Cow body scores and Pushing high levels of protein to a long-term commitment to the kind these farms are in fact tired, with metrics such as cull rate and calf-rear- your herd to get them to milk off of education required to move our organic matter levels below 5% and ing success are also important. their backs will create thin cows with model forward. Grazing education, a significant percentage of pastures The monitoring should guide deci- low energy and short lives. They will financial planning training, soils with poor production. In general these sions that will promote the future make more milk for only a very short education, grassfed genetics and feed farms lack adequate mineral and health of the farm. If we examine and time. making are the low-hanging fruit. We water cycling to provide the kind of keep track of these metrics each year, Grassfed depends on an intact farm farmers need to appreciate and sup- pasture that makes animals healthy we can use them to assess the sound- ecology, which is in short supply port these efforts by our markets, and and productive. ness of our actions. If we are keeping these days. So grassfed farms need avail ourselves of the learning oppor- On most of these farms, pasture our eyes open to the earliest possible investments of time, energy, fertility tunities. scores and quality ratings, biodiver- signs of failure, we can make better and, yes, money. sity and cow body scores indicated proactive decisions. As with other dairy farmers, the continued on page 10

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Page 8 March 2018 Joel McNair Spring milk merits rewards, not penalties

Seasonal pricing has long grated on Of course now we have all sorts of like calving in the fall, we also need prices that will limit sales potential. a certain segment of hardcore dairy springtime deductions made by buy- some creative solutions that might If possible, that pay price should graziers. Indeed, it is one reason why ers of organic milk in their efforts to reverse the disincentives and enhance recognize grassfed’s auxiliary ben- dairy grazing struggles to compete deal with pronounced spring produc- the economic viability of grass dairies efits (food quality, environmental and with the conventional dairy world. tion flushes. that want to stick with spring-seasonal beyond), and reward individual farms The idea that spring milk is worth While these deductions are cloaked freshening. based on their progress in achieving less than winter milk carries plenty by buyers saying that pay during the these benefits. of logic for processors, but much less rest of the year represents “premium” Heading off problems Of course this is a challenging for milk producers who rely upon prices, the reality is that spring milk Recently I enjoyed an interest- concept — can we educate consumers well-managed pasture to reduce their carries the least value for organic ing conversation with someone who to pay more for these positive exter- costs and pay the bills without having processors. works nalities? How do we properly reward to run quite so hard on the technology We can within efforts that improve soil health and treadmill. understand why the grass- nutrient density? Spring milk is the cheapest milk to this is true for fed dairy Such a subject is easier to discuss produce for most dairy graziers, and a big chunk of sector than to put into practice. it’s a shame when the pay price for organic dairy about My friend said the more immedi- that milk is reduced, as this amounts in particular, how we ate challenge lies in dealing with the to a disincentive to on-farm produc- as dealing with might above-mentioned spring milk produc- tion efficiency. surplus spring avoid the tion flush. He talked of the need for Anytime a milk buyer pays less for production can mess into a pay system that rewards farms for spring milk, that buyer is damaging be extremely which shipping less milk in the spring. the profitability potential of grazing costly. Unload- conven- This might be achieved by feed- dairies. Processing efficiencies are ing surplus skim tional ing more milk to calves or otherwise declared to be more important than solids at today’s conventional non- organic dairy has fallen. We talked not shipping a certain amount of milk on-farm efficiencies. fat dry milk prices does not exactly about ideas for maintaining grassfed during those critical weeks that can My own memory here goes back represent a profit hub for the organic integrity while paying producers for overwhelm such a niche market. milk buyer. the true value of their production. to the early 1990s, a time when some I suppose we could spray some of dairy people were publicly airing their Yet the viability of grazing-based In other words, we wanted to figure this milk on our pastures. Yet treating concerns that thousands of graziers dairy — especially the segment try- out how to ensure that the grassfed spring milk as fertilizer violates a lot would make too much spring milk ing to go without grain in an effort to dairy market would not eventually be of grass farmer tenets and beliefs. I and cause all sorts of problems in the meet market demand — is consistent- dominated by the feedlots and imports like to think there could be a valuable markets. ly challenged by this seasonal penalty. that now bedevil both conventional use for such spring milk. One midwestern cooperative was And if you believe that milk made organic dairy and grassfed beef. proposing springtime deductions for on pasture is nutritionally better than We recognized that while there Butter is best grass farms. Well-known grazier Dave milk made from harvested forages, is much room for improvement on A use such as butter. It’s what I Forgey let the world know that he was then the product itself is being com- grassfed dairies, for now at least there always come back to, as the taste and not happy with his co-op’s plan, and promised by promoting milk produc- is a strong need to provide a relatively appearance of spring pasture butter in my memory the targeted deduction tion from harvested feeds. high pay price to keep the market sup- are so obviously different from con- never came about. So while I know that some of you plied, even if that means high retail ventional commodity butter.

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For instance, Organic Valley’s More than 50 years ago my fa- surplus skim solids start by selling a “Pasture Butter” is a truly superior ther and I would travel to town with Buyers might start portion of that powder mountain to product despite coming from the milk an iron tank in the back of the farm one or more farmers at conventional of grain-fed cows. truck, returning with a full load of thinking of spring market prices, and then monitor the True grassfed butter takes this free whey from the cheese factory that milk as an asset. results while launching a few trial bal- another step, as it further enhances put cheap gains on our hogs. loons on the pork market? visual and taste qualities while being And today there are many farm- If the bugs could be worked out, loaded with the fatty acids that are stead cheese factories feeding whey On the farm this would need to be the costs were controlled and the mar- preferred by an increasingly large (and cheese scraps) to a few pigs a fairly low-investment enterprise, as ket established, at that point the buyer cohort of potential customers. and fetching premium prices for the the seasonal factor is obvious. Prob- might start thinking of spring milk as I’ve long viewed butter as the Holy resulting pork. ably some pasture would be involved, an asset rather than a liability. Grail of the grassfed dairy world. Pork may be the hottest single mar- which would be another selling point Indeed, that buyer might start Appearance, taste, nutritional com- ket within the alternative meats sector. for consumers. thinking that more of this milk is position — these attributes combine Discriminating consumers understand During the spring flush the milk needed, especially since the butterfat to make butter the product for differ- what’s going on in the CAFO pork would be plentiful, as would pig has the potential to be so valuable. entiating grassfed from conventional. business, and they don’t like what numbers. Later on the numbers would Both on the farm and within market- they’re learning. Besides, convention- drop for both, and in winter the skim Thinking outside the box ing channels, there is money to be al lean pork tastes like cardboard. solids surpluses would be negligible. I’ve bounced this idea off a couple made from grassfed butter. In other words, there is opportunity. of people and received mixed reac- And of course butter poses a Here we have two very popular and Making spring a positive tions. Perhaps I’m overstating the problem for small- and medium-scale potentially complementary alternative Seasonal balancing has always market potential of skim-fed pork. dairy companies. Finding a churn foods that could add dollars to milk been a major challenge in dairy, and At the same time, we will need to can be difficult, and making money checks and profits to processors while it often comes with financial losses look at some different ideas if small- off the remaining skim is tough right providing cash to the people growing attached for everyone producing and scale grass farmers are going to thrive now, what with selling into a 70-cent the pork. processing the surplus. in a dairy world now driven almost conventional nonfat dry milk market Could we scale dairy/pig syner- But balancing seasonal milk solids entirely by technologies that do not fit with few signs of great improvement. gies to significantly boost business supplies in the way described above with many smaller farms. Instead we need an option that adds efficiencies and enhance the profits could turn the spring of the year into Most of these alternative strategies value for everyone. and pay prices of a small or mid-size a money-making opportunity for both will be linked to the natural synergies grassfed dairy company? farmers and their buyers. that Mother Nature offers, and grass Pigs and butter Could a farm or a group of farms As always, questions come easier farmers are capable of leveraging. My friend mentioned pigs. I grow skim-fed hogs at profitable pric- than answers. Establishing such a The butter avenue seems obvious couldn’t contain my enthusiasm, es under contract with that company, program would require trial and er- for grassfed milk. Can we employ as I’ve been thinking of late that or perhaps another that could market ror, to say nothing about short-term pigs to smooth that path? modernizing the ancient connection branded, differentiated pork prod- losses. Production challenges can be between grassfed dairy and milk- ucts at premium prices? Could the overcome, but the potential market for In addition to publishing Graze, Joel fed pigs is exactly what we need to logistics work if the grower(s) were milk-fed pork is an unknown. McNair grazes dairy heifers on a small explore right now. located close to the butter churn? Still, could a milk buyer with farm in southern Wisconsin. Page 10 March 2018

deficit in our production model. The No-grain is different regeneration of soils takes time and What is our grassfed financial investment. If the markets world’s plan? continued from page 7 reaping huge profits, and consumers for grassfed don’t understand that pay have been provided food at below the price is crucial here, we are in for a And working together with our real cost of production. very long haul. to see. Body score, butterfat, soil markets should be a natural progres- This must stop. Our food must be improvement — all seem worthy of sion. The time has come for us to priced sensibly and equitably. There There’s much to learn discussion and data analysis. bring consumer dollars through to our must be enough money for the farmer There are success stories out there. We need to create opportunity stewardship. to provide exceptional care of the land Many of them are from farms that for farms to add to the market value The transfer of wealth has gone and cows. The markets have to cham- have already made significant invest- chain. The resulting dairy products on too long. Producers have been pion and market this new approach, ments in soil health, gotten their water will command higher prices on the harvesting the health of their cattle, and our pay will have to incentivize and mineral cycles pumping, and retail shelf. The farms that respond to mining soil organic matter from the the right outcomes. shifted their breeding/selection over these market needs should receive a ground, and working themselves too Grassfed production must be sup- a long period of time. They have cre- higher price. hard. Handlers and markets have been ported at a high level, as we are at a ated biodiversity and pasture systems We farmers could also partner in that are functional so that they create supply management. A supply man- and support healthy, productive herds. agement program with a formula that But even these farms have not fully includes demand, supply and pay tackled problems with their hay land. price could help reduce or eventually No one has truly arrived. If we want eliminate balancing costs on the mar- to grow this model at a scale and ket side, and make it easier to support speed that will support the markets, a secure, profitable pay price. the markets need to contribute to that very necessary investment. The costs are real Right now we are pinned to an The costs to create and support organic pay price that is based on the grassfed production are real. Both the conventional price, and both are based markets and farmers get battered by on quantity. This outdated pricing them from time to time, whether they system is opaque, treats all milk the be conventional or organic. same, and makes the assumption that What is our grassfed world’s plan all farms are the same. to reduce this damage? Following the We need to create opportunity organic or conventional world with for the farmer that is based not on an add-on pay price seems silly at this volume, but on many other things. point. Let’s push to create answers. Pay price should change to compen- sate for component quality and for Paul and Phyllis Van Amburgh milk other markers we as an industry want cows near Sharon Springs, New York. Page 11 The benefits of diversity are real Research backs what we’re seeing in our pastures and soils

By Allen Williams diverse plant populations, diverse world’s biodiversity lives in the soil and poplars to clean up these wastes and Russ Conser microbial populations, diverse insect beneath our feet. This biodiversity is through synergistic relationships with populations and diverse animal popu- vital to a healthy ecosystem and pro- soil microbes living around the tree We have spoken often of the need lations. All build upon one another. vides necessary nutrient cycling for roots. for biological diversity on our farms Put simply, “Diversity breeds diver- optimal plant growth, natural filtration Highly diverse and densely packed and ranches, as diversity is a neces- sity.” of water and breaking down waste. arrays of microbes have been found to sary component of the soil building A growing body of evidence be living and associating with the tree process and for real and lasting profit- No shortcuts strongly supports the need for en- roots. These microbes form a layer ability. We seem to always be looking for couraging biological diversity on our about the width of a finger around Unfortunately, most farmers and the silver bullet, a way to inoculate farms. Recently published case stud- each root, performing critical func- many ranchers experience a signifi- the soil with just the right array and ies and peer-reviewed data substanti- tions in exchange for the trees feeding cant lack of diversity, especially in concentration of microbes that will ate the need for increased diversity, them root exudates, or sugars. These the plant species they are promoting speed plant growth and performance. along with the benefits derived from functions include cleaning the water and planting. As farmers, they trend Yet a growing body of research this diversity. the trees take up. toward monocultures because that is shows that introduced microbes tend This microbial water filtration POLLEDwhat they know. That+ is whatA2A2 they = Total ScientistsPackage! have found that tillage POLLED to+ get wipedA2A2 out by the native mi- =and desertificationTotal can releasePackage! green- process is a function so powerful that feel comfortable with. crobes in short order. When you go it cleans up the toxic waste1. Within agriculture, the term “soil house gases from the soil and allow back and measure impact in the soil, In addition, the microbes living health” has become a buzzword. It is them to escape into the atmosphere. the introduced microbes are no longer around tree roots and leaves help the new trend. We read articles about The very act of plowing can release there. fix atmospheric nitrogen and make DOMINANTit every month now. It is being pro- PP-REDhuge amounts of carbon from the soil DOMINANTMicrobes are vital to the soil and intoPP-RED the atmosphere1. it available for plant uptake. They moted at more conferences. also function as an immune system However, do we really understand building process, but we are only just Moving to minimum till and no-till protecting the trees from disease. The what builds soil health, or are we beginning to understand them and the practices, coupled with planting and same phenomenon happens with all simply applying lip service? role they play in the ecosystem. They grazing complex cover crops, is vastly plants, if they have a strong microbial Here is the simple truth: biology are so small that a single teaspoon of more beneficial to the soil microbial association. builds soil health. Without it we can- soil can contain a billion or more mi- population and to biological diversity. not make much progress, and we will crobes comprised of tens of thousands The power of biology is so phe- A study published in the journal see our farms hitting a wall that we of different species. We have identi- nomenal that engineers are using a Ecosystems (2003) found that diver- cannot bust through. fied less than 10% of those microbial process called “phyto-remediation” sity on a growing share of U.S. soils Real soil health comes with biolog- species. to clean up toxic waste. They use ical diversity. That diversity includes Approximately one-third of the fast-growing trees such as willows continued on page 12

We are often asked, “What should I expect when using Burket Falls genetics?”

POLLED DominantPOLLED PP Daughters Dominant at Burket-Falls PP Daughters at Burket-Falls L-R: VG-85 2-02 365d L-R: 2x 27,614m VG-85 2-02 3.8% 365d 1055f 2x 3.1%27,614m 837p 3.8% 1055f 3.1% 837p GP-84 2-04 312d 2x 22,442m GP-84 2-04 4.2% 312d 936f 2x 3.2% 22,442m 700p 4.2% 936f 3.2% 700p GP-82 2-04 365d 2x 24,923m GP-82 2-04 4.0% 365d 1006f 2x 3.2%24,923m 794p 4.0% 1006f 3.2% 794p GP-83 2-04 365d 2x 23,991m GP-83 2-04 4.0% 365d 938f 2x 2.9% 23,991m 697p 4.0% 938f 2.9% 697p GP-80 2-11 344d 2x 29,228m GP-80 2-11 3.8% 344d 1114f 2x 3.1%29,228m 889p 3.8% (2nd lact) 1114f 3.1% 889p (2nd lact) The cow above, Burket Falls 1562-Red-P"e EX-91 Dominant 2E, (Burket PP daughters Falls"e breeding Dominant are oncalving both PP andtop daughters andthey bottom are are 'cookie calvingof the cutter' pedigree and they), isare pictured 'cookie at cutter' 10 years 3 months, seven calvings, and 190,000 pounds of 4.0%consistent. fat milk. Theey photos are average don’tconsistent. tell stature, the eywhole tremendous are story. average She moveswidth stature, about& strength, tremendous and walks withwidth as &much strength, ease as any cow in our 110-cow herd. Her udder quality the excellentsame. The feetwords & legsthat andbestexcellent terricdescribes feetudders. her & are legs e“YOUTHFUL and best terric group AND udders.of BALANCED.” daughters e best The group modern of daughtersday geneticists would from a disposition standpointfrom a we've disposition ever milked!" standpoint - Johnwe've Burket ever milked!" - John Burket not be impressed with her. In their words she would be, “ Too old of genetics with nothing to offer”.....our BANKER would disagree!! Semen is available Burket-Falls DOMINANTBurket-Falls PP-Red DOMINANT VG-87 aAa PP-Red 5136 VG-87 aAa 5136 from her handsome red polled, A2A2 son,Sire: Burket Burket-Falls Falls Done Right,Polled Sire:pictured Pledge-P-RC Burket-Falls above right.EX-90 Polled He already Pledge-P-RC has two EX-90daughters milking...... and they make the cut!! Dam: Burket-Falls DureneDam: P-Red Burket-Falls EX-91-2E Durene EX-MS P-Red EX-91-2E EX-MS 4-01 365d 34,828m 4.1% 4-01 1434f 365d 3.1% 34,828m 1088p 4.1% 1434f 3.1% 1088p For polled genetics2nd Dam: Burket at everydayFalls 2ndDee Dam:Dee-Red Burketfarmer EX-90 Falls EX-MS Deeprices, Dee-Red give EX-90 EX-MSus a call. Balanced genetics: polled,Life: 201,989mhigh components 3.7% 7490fLife: & 3.4%longevity 201,989m 6519p •3.7% Next Semen, 7490f 5 Dams: bulls 3.4% VG-EX &6519p embryos Next 5always Dams: availableVG-EX 100% Polled O spring! 100%Available Polled from O spring! Burket-Falls! Available from Burket-Falls! BURKET FALLS FARMBURKETPolled Holsteins: FALLS The solution FARM to yourPOLLED “horny” problems FOUNDATIONPOLLED COW FOUNDATION COWPOLLED FOUNDATION COW Dave Burket & Sons DaveBurket Burket Falls & Sons Farm • Dave BurketBurket-Falls & Sons ElevationBurket-Falls Sophia Elevation SophiaBurket-Falls Elevation Sophia (EX-93-4E) 1321 Polecat Rd., East Freedom,13211321 Polecat Polecat PA 16637 Rd., Road East • Freedom, East Freedom, PA 16637 PA 16637EX-93-4E GMD DOM EX-93-4E GMD DOMLifetime: 241,534 4.1% 10,022 (GM-DOM) 814-239-2260 [email protected] Life: 241,534 4.1% 10022Sire: Elevation 814-239-2260 | [email protected]: 814-239-2260| Life: 241,534 4.1% 10022 www.burketfallsfarm.com The solid foundation of our Polled program“The solid foundation of our polled program” www.burketfallsfarm.comwww.burketfallsfarm.comThe solid [email protected] foundation of our Polled program #PolledPlace 5 #PolledPlace 5 “Polled Holsteins:“Polled The Solution Holsteins: to your The “Horny”Solution Problems”to your “Horny” Problems” Page 12 March 2018

pasture mix of orchardgrass, fescue, and 66% more than Farm 3. Diversity’s benefits white clover, alfalfa and chicory over In summary, microbiomes are a nine-year grazing period. Both tasked with an incredible array of pastures were grazed the same way functions that are vital to our planet’s continued from page 11 The study’s summary states that “plant species richness promotes soil during the entire trial. ecosystems. Ignoring these micro- was in danger of “substantial loss or C and N stocks via increased plant At the conclusion, the researchers biomes in our farming and ranching complete extinction”. Jack Gilbert, a productivity. Enhanced soil C and N found that the five-seed mix had pro- practices significantly reduces natural microbial biologist at Argonne Na- stocks showed a positive feedback duced an average of 31% more forage soil functioning and increases our tional Laboratory, said, “It’s extraor- to plant productivity via enhanced N biomass annually when compared to input costs. dinarily evident that bacteria, fungi, mineralization, which further acceler- the two-seed mix. In addition, soil One of the best ways to stimulate and viruses play a massive role in the ate soil C and N storage in the long organic carbon measured down to a this microbiome is to encourage development of health and disease in term.” depth of 39 inches was 1.8 tons/hect- increased plant species diversity. Add- humans, and in environmental set- Another paper published in 2017 are in the five-seed mix, compared to ing adaptive livestock grazing man- tings and ecological systems.” in Scientific Reports found that plant 0.5 tons/hectare in the two-seed mix. agement to the increased plant species A 2014 study published in the root biomass and its exudates help diversity further drives the microbial Journal of Ecology showed that plant link plant diversity with soil bacteria On-farm results response. 3 In another trial in which Allen species diversity promotes soil carbon and fungi . References: and nitrogen stores, even without The researchers discovered that participated, measurements were 1. http://e360.yale.edu/features/is_climate_ legumes being present2. The study plant species diversity significantly taken from three neighboring farms in change_putting_world_microbiomes_at_ compared an eight-species mix with increases plant shoot biomass, root Mississippi in 2014 to compare soil risk monocultures of the same plant spe- biomass and production of root organic matter (OM) and soil carbon 2. cies. exudates, which in turn stimulate an down to 36 inches of soil depth. Plant species richness promotes soil The species pool consisted of four increase in soil bacterial biomass and Farm 1 had been adaptively grazed C and N stocks in grasslands without grass species and four forb species. fungal biomass. The greatest increase for just five years prior to the mea- legumes. Cong, et.al. J. Ecology. 2014. 3. There were eight monoculture treat- was in the soil fungal biomass. surements being taken. Farm 2 had Root biomass and exudates link plant ments, four mixtures of two species, In addition, the fungi-to-bacteria been in a slow rotation (cattle moved diversity with soil bacterial and fungal four mixtures of four species, and one ratio was significantly improved, thus every two weeks) for almost 50 years, biomass. Eisenhauer, et. al., Scientific eight-species mixture. stimulating production of greater and Farm 3 had been continuously Reports. 2017. Results showed that the eight- amounts of root exudates. The re- grazed (set-stock) for almost 30 years. species mix increased soil C and soil searchers’ conclusion was that “plant Farm 1 had approximately 23 more Dr. Allen Williams is president of Grass N by 18% compared to the monocul- species diversity enhances soil micro- plant species in the grazing mix com- Fed Insights, LLC, based in Starkville, ture plots. These increased C and N bial biomass, particularly soil fungi, pared to Farm 2, and 34 more plant Mississippi. He can be reached at 662- stocks were predominantly a result by increasing root-derived organic species compared to Farm 3. 312-6826 and allen-williams@joyce- of C input and N retention from an inputs.” Farm 1 had 71% more soil carbon farms.com. Russ Conser is co-founder enhancement of plant productivity. A recent trial conducted by Penn- at 36 inches compared to Farm 2, of Standard Soil and works in regen- The study also showed a significant sylvania State University compared and 76% more than Farm 3. Soil OM erative agriculture. His contact infor- increase in soil N mineralization rates a two-seed orchardgrass and white differences were similar, with Farm 1 mation is 832-474-4764 or email him at even without legumes in the mix. clover pasture mix to a five-seed showing 58% more OM than Farm 2 [email protected].

Spread a little seed. Get a LOT of feed.

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Learn more. Find a dealer. Call 888-550-2930 or visit: Page 13 Janet McNally My picks for pasture-based lamb production

Last month I wrote about the gen- Midwest, plus the humid parts of The Cheviot is more seasonal in its finer than the Columbia, but both eral criteria for what makes a good the Pacific Northwest. Often used breeding, so is best lambed just ahead shear a heavy fleece. Ewe size ranges pasture sheep. This month, I’ll talk for hot house production and year- of the grass. Both types of Cheviots from 165 to 225 lbs., and prolificacy about the merits of specific breeds. round lambing, she is known to be an have large flight zones, so they are is moderate. It is impossible to discuss breeds excellent mother with lots of milk that best managed “hands off” during Polypay, Rambouillet, and without stepping on some toes, so produces well-muscled lambs. lambing. They will do better in set- Targhee — these are some of the please understand these two things: The Dorset crosses well with a va- stock lambing operations compared to more available breeds that I will the following is based upon my ex- riety of breeds. The fleece is nothing intensive drift-lambing systems. They describe as “use with caution”. They perience and is my opinion only, and remarkable, making the Dorset pri- have low to moderate prolificacy. are quite abundant in the Midwest it has been my observation that when marily a lamb-producing breed. Ewes Cheviots do well in colder, more as either directly cast-off ewes from people fall in love with a breed, they weigh about 150-165 lbs. Dorsets are humid areas. Most commercial pro- large western range operations, or will accommodate its weaknesses and known for their long breeding season. ducers prefer the North Country for descendants of these. make that breed work. They are also useful in produc- its larger size. Fine-wooled sheep are not well For the purposes of this discus- ing fall lambs in warmer parts of the adapted to the green grass with high sion, I will be addressing the breeds Corriedale and Columbia country where the best pasture season were once known as crossbred wool water content that we find in the Mid- that work best in a 100% forage-fed comes with fall rains. Dorsets have west. They are best suited to the drier, system on northern, eastern and mid- types. The Corriedale is a cross of moderately high prolificacy. Lincoln and Merino, and the Colum- harder grasses found throughout the western pastures with no grain and no arid West. Cheviots come in two types: the bia is a cross between Lincoln and shelter. Midwestern farm flocks have a larger North Country Cheviot, and the Rambouillet. In the 1950s, Cor- Part of my consideration is avail- long tradition of bringing these ewes smaller Border Cheviot. The Border riedales became most popular in the ability. So while there are indeed into their confinement operations and Cheviot is one of the few breeds that farm flock states, while the Columbia many other interesting breeds out crossing them with more-prolific, has benefited by selection for larger took hold in the Midwest and northern there, I am sticking only to those better-milking breeds like the Finn- size. Rockies. breeds that are readily available. sheep and Dorset. This is essentially a While purebred Cheviots can be Both breeds are very large, and care In every case I am referring to the Polypay. moderate-size commercial represen- quite scarce, these breeds are quite must be taken to source moderately Because they are so easily ob- tatives of these breeds, not the show framed sheep from pasture-based popular with pasture-based producers tained, these sheep may wind up animals of today. producers. due to good growth, muscle and easy- making a sensible foundation for the keeping qualities. Therefore, a large These breeds are particularly suit- Wool breeds grass farmer seeking larger numbers. number of Cheviot-influenced com- able for people who wish to market Ewes fresh off the range have a large Dorsets are relatively abundant mercial flocks are seen throughout the heavier lambs with a higher-value as a commercial ewe in the East and East and Midwest. wool crop. The Corriedale is a bit continued on page 14 Page 14 March 2018

another hair breed. Trying to convert McNally a wool breed to a hair breed through crossing is a futile endeavor and will continued from page 13 require many generations of shearing wool with no value. Dorper lamb has flight distance and are best lambed excellent flavor, in my opinion. in a set-stock system. My suggestion St. Croix is a small, white hair- is to cross these breeds with a thick, breed that is much more popular in well-muscled breed. the South. It is hardy, and has dem- onstrated some parasite resistance, No-shearing breeds but is very small and slow growing. Katahdin has seen a lot of We have better options that are well growth in recent years, as sheep that adapted to the North. I would only do not require shearing have come recommend the St. Croix for southern Littledale Farm into vogue. Smaller flocks can be flocks with very tough conditions, and found throughout the Midwest and Breeds here include Scottish Blackface, North Country Cheviot, Scottish Mules (mottled consider crossing it with the Katahdin faces), Cheviot Mules and English Suffolk. the South. Known to be good moth- or Dorper to add some size. ers and reasonably prolific, this is a only problem with mules is that you breeds. I have long felt it might be ap- smaller breed with lighter muscle. Good, but less available need to maintain a low-prolificacy propriate for the Northeast and Great Some breeders are working hard Coopworth and Romney flock of hill sheep such as the Scot- Lakes regions in areas where pastures to improve these qualities, and some are both well-suited to more humid tish Blackface to cross with Leicester need renovation. If truly permitted are also working on parasite resis- pasture operations, especially if direct rams (which have a poor reputation to express its foraging ability, the tance through NSIP, so a top ram with marketing wool is an option. Known for longevity), or find someone who SBF might reduce winter feed costs growth and muscle can offset these for easy-keeping qualities and dura- will make these crosses for you. considerably. weaker aspects. Ewes typically weigh bility in cold, wet weather, they are While they are a great pasture- When crossed with a larger termi- about 135 lbs. and have moderately more easily found in the Northwest based ewe that is very popular in the nal sire, this ewe can make a very ef- high prolificacy. coastal areas. They have moderate UK, a lack of supply keeps them from ficient lamb-producing unit. It is prob- Dorper is a relative newcomer prolificacy. These breeds could im- catching on in the U.S. ably too small and not prolific enough and has had a lot of influence in com- prove your lamb survival if losses to Scottish Blackface is very for farms with improved pastures. mercial no-shear flocks by improv- cold, wet weather are an issue. scarce, but I am going to mention this Texel and Ile de France are ing growth and carcass quality. The Mules are the cross between a tough little breed. Scottish Blackface top choices for terminal sires, but the Dorper actually does grow a fleece, hardy hill-type breed and a Leices- ewes are used where conditions are females also often work very well as but sheds it in the summer. ter (either Bluefaced Leicester or a particularly tough, such as on islands commercial ewes in pasture-based Dorpers are well-muscled and good Border Leicester). They obtain some off the coast of Maine. The SBF is flocks. Both breeds impart muscle, mothers, with the best growth among hardiness from the hill sheep, and a small breed and not very prolific, moderate prolificacy, a superior abil- the no-shear breeds. If you are consid- larger size, prolificacy and milk from but it will rustle up feed where other ity to grow on forages and, despite ering the Dorper it is best to buy the the Leicester. The fleeces are very breeds would starve. This foraging being known as terminal sires, also purebreds, or else stock crossed with popular in the direct market. The ability is lost when diluted with other make pretty darn good mothers. So it Page 15 is not unheard of to find Texel- or Ile de France-influenced flocks. Organic milk sales flat in 2017 Be careful out there Organic fluid milk sales did not for about 40% of all organic fluid sold Dairy Market News noted “Great There you have it, my top picks. grow at all in 2017, according to the last year, USDA reported. disappointment and frustration …. by Whatever type of sheep you do settle USDA’s Dairy Market News. USDA Meanwhile, sales for the lower-fat organic dairy producers in most of on, be sure to buy breeding stock said that organic milk sales declined categories fell 6.4% in December the United States” due to reduced pay from producers who raise their sheep 1.9% in December compared to and 3.6% for 2017 compared to the prices and the prospect of even lower in the same way you plan to. December 2016, bringing total 2017 previous year. As fat content declined, prices. Also consider crossbreeding. The sales almost exactly into line with so did sales performance. Reduced “There is increased nervousness heterosis created by combining three those from 2016. fat (2%) organic milk sales declined among some organic dairy producers or four breeds can boost lamb produc- Whole milk continued to be the 3.3% in December and were down as to debt repayment,” DMN said, tion by 20%. only bright spot among the major 0.4% for the year; low-fat (1%) adding that the situation is creating organic fluid categories, with sales dropped 6.8% and 8.8% respectively; uncertainty for attempts to increase Janet McNally grazes sheep near rising 5.6% in December and 6.2% and fat-free (skim) sales declined processing capacity to better balance Hinckley, Minnesota. for all of 2017. Whole milk accounted 17.9% and 13.6%. supplies. Page 16 March 2018 On silvopasture How to thin a woodlot with pasture in mind

By Brett Chedzoy The process of reducing stocking ing crowns, but competing trees space and sunlight for the forages you (of trees and bushes, not animals) in should be removed from their other intend your stock to graze. Silvopastures can be developed wooded areas is known in forestry as sides. The increased exposure to The second thinning method is from either of two directions: add- “thinning”. Thinning strives to reduce sunlight and the ability to expand Basal Area Control (BAC), which ing trees in to the pasture, or pasture competition to a predetermined level their crowns horizontally will lead strives to reduce (tree) stocking to a in to the trees. The tips and tricks for while providing more sunlight to the to increased growth and value appre- target level rather than simply cutting establishing young trees in sod envi- “best” trees and shrubs growing in a ciation, greater vigor to resist stress all the ugly trees or making an eyeball ronments full of herbivores is a tale given area. In silvopastures, ample factors, and a boost in seed produc- estimate of what “looks about right”. unto itself, so for now we’ll focus on sunlight must also be allowed to reach tion — the latter being especially Stocking in forested areas can be adding pasture to the trees. the ground level to sustain productive important if mast is utilized as part of thought of as the amount of wood per As I noted in the January edition forage growth. livestock diets. acre. It’s a good indicator of density of Graze, the process for creating Crop Tree Management (CTM) was (competition) and canopy porosity silvopastures that produce both qual- Two general ways to thin developed in the 1980s by the U.S. (the amount of sunlight intercepted ity timber and quality forages can There are two ways in which Forest Service to simplify the con- by plants without reaching the soil described in three steps. thinning can be implemented to ac- cepts of forest thinning for woodland surface). Simple instruments (angle Step 1 is to reduce the stocking of complish these objectives. The first, owners. A free copy of “Crop Tree gauge, prism) available from any the trees and shrubs enough to allow crop tree release, can be thought of as Management in Eastern Hardwoods” forestry supply company can be used sunlight to reach the soil surface. Step weeding around the tomato plants in can be found via internet search, and to quickly and accurately measure the 2 is to create the conditions necessary the garden. is a must-read for do-it-yourselfers. amount of stocking as expressed in for the establishment of grasses and The tomato plants are the trees that There is one twist to CTM in “basal area per acre”. forbs. And once these forage plants meet certain desirable criteria such as achieving silvopasture objectives: Basal area is the surface area of are established, Step 3 is to manage species, vigor, diameter, crown class, you must thin from the main canopy all tree stems at 4.5 feet above the the system in a way that encourages form and other indicators of good all the way to the ground. In most ground. This value can then be com- the growth of the desirable plants growth and quality. cases, the lower strata are comprised pared to a “stocking chart” to deter- while discouraging the growth of If a bird’s-eye view of a tree’s of smaller-diameter, slower-growing mine if a given stand of trees is “over- not-so-desirables (brambles, invasive crown is pictured as four quadrants, in “suppressed” trees (the runts) and stocked”, “fully stocked” or stocked plants and the like). silvopastures the crop trees should be undesirable shrubs that intercept pre- to some percentage of full stocking. Easy, right? Well, there’s enough released from the competition of infe- cious sunlight. Whether you’re managing for timber here that this article will concentrate rior trees growing at the same height Foresters use fancy terminology production or silvopasture, the recom- entirely on Step 1. We’ll leave the on three or four of these quadrants. like “junk” for these trees and shrubs. mended stocking level is roughly half other steps for future articles. Two crop trees can still be touch- They need to be removed to provide of the “full stocking” value. Page 17

While fully stocked stands maxi- guide the thinning process, keep in limited salvage value. mize wood volume per acre, the mind that good forestry pays. Girdled trees can be left to die in growth per tree is compromised due Leave the best and place and slowly return to the soil. to heavy competition, and relatively Do not cherry pick cut the rest. Girdling does not work well for trees little sunlight penetrates the dense Cherry-picking the money trees in and shrubs with deep bark inclusions, canopy. When the stocking is reduced the initial thinning, known as high- and some species may need several to leave the best half of the trees, the grading, will severely depress the culled using any of the below meth- years to die. Invasive shrubs often growth of both trees and forages is future value and productivity of the ods. re-sprout from beneath the girdle, so optimized. timber resource. Girdling: This involves mechani- treatment with an approved herbicide A 50% reduction in stocking can Proper thinning always seeks to cal, thermal or chemical severing of may be necessary. also be thought of as 50% open “leave the best and cut the rest,” the cambium layer directly beneath Poisoning: This employs injection canopy. As with the CTM system, in though some of the higher-value trees the bark. The most common method of an approved herbicide through silvopastures the basal area thinning may initially be culled due to over- is to cut one or two shallow rings wounds created in the trunk. The her- must be implemented to the ground crowding (too may “good” trees in around the trunk at waist height with bicide label must permit the species, level. one spot) or health and defect issues. a chainsaw. It’s a safe and fast way to Whether we use CTM or BAC to Excess trees and shrubs can be cull larger trees, especially those with continued on page 18 Page 18 March 2018 Thinning for pasture

continued from page 17 acre. Mulching works best in areas with high densities of small-diameter treatment method and dose. Wounds stems. A heavy mulch layer can can include frill cuts (downward chop hamper forage establishment, and the marks with a hatchet or machete), small, sharp stumps left behind can be drilled holes or partial chainsaw gir- hazardous to hooves and rubber tires. dles. Results are directly proportional Harvesting: Felled trees are being to getting enough active ingredient utilized rather than left in the woods. into the plant’s vascular system. Like You can make firewood yourself, or girdling, the treated trees can be left you can hire professional loggers and standing. Poisoning works well for foresters to accomplish the thinning applications where girdling does not, objectives while selling timber at a especially for invasive shrubs with a profit. The initial thinning to create propensity to re-sprout, or in clonal silvopasture usually requires harvest- Brett Chedzoy species that sprout from the root sys- ing a large volume of low-value trees. tem when the main trunk is damaged. Stump and root sprouts like this black locust can provide quality browse for a few years. Consider a forester Felling: You’re severing the trunk In 2015 we contracted with a log- through directional felling and push- with a chainsaw or brush saw and The services of a consulting ging crew that specialized in harvest- ing with skidder and dozer blades. leaving the tree in place. Coppicing forester can be invaluable for these ing low-grade (pulpwood) timber. This was done to minimize impedi- (stump sprouting) is common with situations and any type of thinning, as This allowed us to thoroughly cull ments for grazing animals. felled hardwood trees, which can be- such an investment is typically repaid most of the remaining firewood- We traded away about $30/acre, come a temporary source of browse. numerous times over with the results quality trees and provide the sunlight or 10% of the net timber value (what Slash (woody debris) management that person will help you achieve. needed to grow forages. was paid to us), in exchange for this can become an issue, and felling is We’ve used all of the above on our As part of the contract, the log- additional work. By comparison, typically slower and more hazard- farm to develop wooded areas into gers were also required to cut or mulching the small stems as a sepa- ous work than girdling or poisoning. silvopasture. We’ve also tried excava- smash down the many small stems of rate treatment would have cost about Chainsaw safety and efficiency train- tion with heavy equipment. In hind- hemlock, beech, hop hornbeam and 10 times as much. Mulching would ing is highly recommended. sight, excavation was the least prefer- invasive shrubs that filled the under- have looked prettier, but it would Mulching: Also known as mastica- able method because it was difficult to story. Portions of merchantable trees have left us with little profit from the tion, mowing, chipping and flailing, work around the crop trees and caused down to four inches in diameter were timber harvest. this involves the use of specialized excessive soil disturbance. removed and trucked off-site. Much of the finer-diameter slash cutting heads and machinery to The resulting brush piles had to has started to decay — especially reduce trees and shrubs to chips and be burned to avoid creating islands Pile what’s left where it was crushed down close to chunks. The “instant gratification” where stock could not reach to browse To the extent possible, the remain- the soil surface. A “whole-tree” har- effect is high, but so is the cost per invasive species. ing slash was consolidated into piles vest would have been ideal to mini- “We like the reliable results...” — Vanessa Philson, DVM

Vanessa Philson, DVM, and husband Mike Uber stopped by the booth at Mike Uber and Vanessa Philson, DVM World Dairy Expo. The couple met in 4-H and they still enjoy showing MVUE Jerseys and UBER HAVEN Holsteins together throughout the year, including MERCER, PENNSYLVANIA the All-American and World Dairy Expo. SCC consistently below 100,000

“Our cows are our 4-legged kids, “We like the consistency and reliable and we see how Udder Comfort™ results we get with this product, works for them, and on the vet and recommend Udder Comfort side in practice,” says Vanessa to anyone.” Philson, DVM. Not only do she and husband Mike Uber have a small herd of dairy show cows, Quality Udders Make Quality Milk (MVUE Jerseys and Uber Haven Holsteins), Vanessa is also a large Keep the milk in animal veterinarian serving dairy herds in the New Wilmington, the system Pennsylvania area. 1.888.773.7153 1.613.652.9086 uddercomfort.com Call to locate a “Our fresh cows get Udder Comfort distributor near you. after each milking for one week. It really gets the swelling out. We spray fresh udders 2x/day for 7 days. It also provides bene ts for mastitis and hard For external application to the udder only after milking, as an essential component of udder management. quarters by softening them up. Always wash and dry teats thoroughly before milking. Page 19 mize slash, but the lack of markets for vopasture areas also enhance wildlife Global organic sales, total of 145 million acres. In 15 coun- chips in our area made it infeasible. habitat. acreage increasing tries, 10% or more of all agricultural An alternative we’re currently For more information on slash land is organic, a new record. The 2018 edition of The World of experimenting with on another large walls, see recent posts on Cornell Organic Agriculture shows that con- NZ pay hike coming (170-acre) silvopasture thinning cur- University’s www.silvopasture.ning. sumer demand for organic products Fonterra, New Zealand’s dominant rently in progress is to build wind- com forum. is increasing, more farmers cultivate dairy cooperative, was expected to rows from the slash in designated organically, more land is certified increase its pay price to members due areas. Brett Chedzoy is a regional extension organic, and 178 countries report to increases in global dairy product forester and natural resources educa- Such “slash walls” are starting to organic farming activities. prices. tor with Cornell Cooperative Extension be utilized by foresters to exclude The market research company Fonterra had said it expects to pay deer from regenerating areas. At an of Schuyler County, NY. He owns and Ecovia Intelligence estimates that its farmer suppliers $6.40 per kilo- average of 10-feet high and twice as manages a 450-acre grass-fed beef op- the global market for organic food gram of milksolids for the 2017/18 wide, these utilize large amounts of eration in Watkins Glen, NY. Brett can reached $89.7 billion in 2016. Also in season. However, that is expected to slash and cost about the same as other be contacted at [email protected] or 2016, 2.7 million organic producers increase by at least 25 cents given fencing options. Slash walls in sil- via the silvopasture forum. were reported, organically managing a recent product pricing.

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5. Mastitis. We apply Crystal Creek’s Veterinary Dairy Liniment, and affected quarters are quarter-milked until they clear up. Otherwise we eventually stop milking the bad quarter and dry it off. Rarely do we see a hard or hot quarter, but if we do we give the cow aspirin as an anti-inflammatory and to reduce any fever to help her work through the infection. Occasionally we use Banamine to reduce the fever and make a cow comfortable. This enables her to get up, eat Grassfed Organic forum and drink, which will encourage the healing process. 6. Hoof rot, heel cracks and abscesses. If a sore foot shows up, it is likely to Issues for graziers shipping to the organic and grassfed milk markets. be one of these three issues. I do any needed trimming and hoof work myself. For any of those issues we will raise the foot, pare away and trim any affected What are your treatment strategies? area, and wrap with powdered copper sulfate. For the most part, any youngstock that give us trouble are simply culled. The main issue for the mature cows is clinical and subclinical mastitis. We see higher SCC when cows are stressed due to environmental conditions that make Adam Tafel them uncomfortable. This is why we spend time and money keeping them com- fortable. When we started milking cows we knew very little about organic treatments Nutrition is also paramount to maintaining healthy cattle. Cows and young- and remedies. We read a lot of books and tried a lot of different products, but stock that have sunshine, fresh air and highly palatable, nutrient-dense forage found that most of the treatments we tried were expensive and only marginally in a low-stress environment seem to have very few issues. When they do, they successful. So in the end we rely on keeping cows comfortable, non-stressed seem to get over it without much help from me. and healthy. This helps prevent illness, metabolic issues and injuries. Adam Tafel milks cows near Laurens, New York. Here is a rundown of some of the issues we do occasionally see, and how we deal with them. 1. Calf scours. We use an organic, homemade electrolyte solution for more Tom McGrath severe cases. When they are kept dry and warm and given access to water, most of these calves pull through without intervention. Health issues seem to come and go on our farm, but are getting to be less and 2. Respiratory illness in calves. These calves are always sold. They are either less. The way I see it, there should be hardly any health issues if your farm is kept until they improve on their own, or are treated with a conventional anti- properly managed. So multiple issues throw a big red flag in the air, which tells biotic, usually Nuflor. They will always fall short of production potential, and me something else isn’t being properly managed — most likely feed quality or most end up with scarred lung tissue that will affect them their entire lives. cattle stress. 3. Heifers that do not breed. Any heifer that is open after being exposed to the The factors that have most affected our herd’s health are imbalanced feed, bull is sold regardless of why she is not bred. muddy laneways and watering areas, poor ventilation for calves, inadequate 4. Metritis due to a difficult calving or retained placenta. A cow with a mineral supply, and parasite loads in calves. Our philosophy is to treat the core retained placenta in the summer is put in the calving pen to keep her cool and problem rather than continually bandage the symptom. Unfortunately we still comfortable until the placenta drops. If she has a fever, we will give her aspirin. do encounter health issues, and we have addressed them in the following ways. Otherwise we do not intervene, and the problem will almost always resolve Foot rot was a major challenge early on, and I blame this on muddy laneways itself. These cows usually take longer to start cycling again, but that is OK. and high-MUN feed. We wrap the cow’s foot with copper sulfate and a home- Somatic Cell Program Liquid feed supplement (10 ml/day)

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#.%0! $Čƫ * ċƫđƫ + '!ČƫƫāăĀĊĂ Page 21 made garlic mash, leave it for three days, and repeat if necessary. This has dropped, grain feeding was reduced, and herd health improved. worked very well, but the trick is to wrap it as soon as foot rot symptoms ap- Today I have to deal just a little with hairy warts. I’ve had good success in pear, and to leave it for at least three days. applying a fly spray (No-Fly and mineral oil) to the wart, and then putting cop- For 15 years pinkeye was never an issue. Then last summer I grazed the cows per sulfate powder on that. One treatment normally does the job. I don’t like for two days straight on a south-facing slope with limited shade. I later realized hoof trimmers and vet wrap. that this had severely stressed the cows. Sure enough, pinkeye erupted. First I don’t use any treatments or prevention products for mastitis. I try to focus we gave the cows shade and free-choice hay in the afternoons to reduce stress. more on good management, clean cows, good milking equipment and good pro- Next we sprayed the cows every four days for flies. Most cows recovered in cedure. If there is a flare-up, I strip it out before milking, and keep the milk for about a week. The ones that didn’t, we treated with Natural Repair from Sunny the calves. A few years ago, I could expect one milk fever per year, but lately Solutions. This solution is comprised of aloe vera oil and Goldenseal powder I’ve had only the occasional case. One older cow has freshened with milk fever along with other ingredients. We cleaned and sprayed these eyes daily with that the last two times, so she is on the cull list. She’s a tough breeder, too. I don’t solution, and saw major improvements. One eye went semi-blind out of about think it is wise to keep cows that need a lot of attention and treatments. 40 infected eyes, so I think we did OK. Overall, I try to focus on management by feeding good forages and keeping Mastitis hasn’t given us too much trouble, and is kept at a minimum by cows comfortable. keeping the udder clean. Treatments we have used in the past include topical Uddermint, and we have injected a homemade solution of essential oils includ- James Swantz milks cows near Kalona, Iowa. ing rosemary and oregano. This has worked fairly well, but I believe most all mastitis can be avoided if udders are clean and milking machines are kept clean and properly maintained. Mange and ringworm have been on and off issues in the winters. Clean bedding for all animals helps this more than we first realized, particularly with calves and heifers. We’ve found that Winter-Mune from Agri-Dynamics has helped with these issues. Also, we had a few years where retained placentas were a problem. After that we made sure the dry cows always had a dry cow blend available. Since then these problems have been few and far between. We will continue to fine-tune our farm with the hope of minimizing these health issues.

Tom McGrath milks cows near Worcester, New York. James Swantz

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Consulting services Calendar.... To list your event, contact Graze at P.O. Box 48, Belleville, WI 53508, Classifieds or e-mail: [email protected] Weaver Feeding & Management, LLC Truly independent agronomy and dairy For sale: A2A2 Jersey bulls, grazing March 6-15 For sale: 100% grass-fed pregnant nutrition advice without the sales job. genetics, fertility, feet/legs, high com- beef cows and heifers. Vet checked, Novel Tall Fescue Renovation Work- Tom Weaver, CCA, Dairy Nutritionist ponents, excellent udders, line-bred many six months pregnant. Also beef Director, KOW Consulting Association shops, various locations. Contact: for capacity, production, disposition feeders, steers and heifers. 920-756- 2010-2011 President, http://grasslandrenewal.org/education.htm and health. Many polled, some proven; 2725. WI Assoc. Pro Ag or 660-895-5121. Consultants yearlings and weaned calves. Raised To lease: Unique opportunity for be- Darlington, WI March 8 on dams; reliably breed. 919-525-6027 mobile (608) 897-1885 Heart of Wisconsin Grazing Confer- or [email protected] ginning farmers needing to get started. [email protected] ence, Rothschild, WI. Contact: 715-261- 66-Acre Farm with great outbuild- www.kowconsulting.com For sale: Holstein bull born 2-14-17. 6000; [email protected]. ings and a house to lease in Downing Sire: Avenger (29H17958), Dam's Sire: wi.us Wisconsin. [email protected] Carnation Madcap Grandier (Early April 21-22 605-691-3249. Hillside Consulting Carnation). Bull well developed on Pastured Providence Farm School, no-grain diet. Also have a polled tri- For sale: Dairymaster parlor, 28 Arden Landis Chillicothe, OH. Contact: 740-851-3883; colored crossbred. Both A2A2. Warren milkers, 3 years old, complete stall KOW associate www.pasturedprovidence. See ad, page Amstutz, 812-371-6813. package, crowd gate, palpitation rails, • 20+ years dairy experience 19. plus head chute, Mueller 3000 and • Grazed cows for over 15 years Classified Rates: Minimum charge 3500 gallon bulk tanks. 563-357- • Certified in organics/pasture rule Winter meeting? $15.00 for 20 words. Additional words 2043. • Serving DE, MD, NJ, NY, and PA If you would like to have some copies of 80 cents/word. Call 608-455-3311. Ph: 717-484-0038 Graze at your gathering, give us a holler, and we’ll send you a stack for free.Call Cell: 717-314-3399 608-455-3311 or e-mail us at: graze@ grazeoline.com. Please give us at least three weeks advance notice! To subscribe, see page 8.

Also available at August-September 2016: On-farm ice cream plant overcoming obstacles. All U.S. beef www.grazeonline.com could be finished on grass. Keeping track of pasture. Think convenience in marketing ef- forts. Should newborn lambs be tagged? Adding up the costs of growing grassfed beef. October 2016: Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship offers opportunities to a new generation. A back issues little grazing helps a big confinement dairy. Analyzing fodder sprouting. Winter feed tips for no-grain dairy cows. Providing evidence for the benefits of sward diversity.

December 2012: North Carolina grazing dairy tops 20,000 lbs. milk. Making a case for November 2016: Grass dairy rebuilds with help from friends. Getting paid to graze annual grazing crops. Advisors on boosting pasture production. Finding land for beef goats. Graziers must record what we’re doing for future generations. Farm store tips grazing. Sheep graziers adding value. Organic forum: Producing quality winter forages. from Seven Sons Farms. Farm policy insanity. A different way to a better farm policy. October 2013: Veteran dairy graziers changing with the times. Advisors plan for winter. January 2017: Small and large dairies adapting to changing markets. Gabe Brown’s soil Leveraging grassfed’s advantages. Dr. Huber’s lament. McNally’s pasture renovation regeneration proof. Challenging residual gospel during a drought. Find flies before they report. Get ready for a grassfed hamburger future. Organic forum: vaccination. find you. Pigs stack well with a grassfed beef operation. Raising calves without grain. June-July 2014: Silvopasture: providing grazing in woodlots to aid both trees and stock. February 2017: A Missouri dairy where grass is king. We can build soils faster than Advisors’ soil fertility programs. Tales from a direct-marketing farm. How to hike forage conventional wisdom says. Fighting pasture flies. A holistic grazing plan. Dealing with the brix levels. Organic forum: feeding molasses. When disease hits a customer-based farm. chaos of a diverse farm. No-stress weaning starts long before the actual event. December 2014: Flexibility is key to young grass-based dairy farmer. Winter feeding March 2017: Dairy outwintering system isn’t pretty, but it works. Advisors on managing strategies. Farmer thoughts on fodder sprouting. Avoiding off-flavors in grass-fed beef. the spring growth flush. Grazing lessons learned. Selecting sheep for parasite resis- What I learned from a 5,000-head ranch. Grazing in a carbon-counting world. tance. Rebuilding soils. No-stress weaning. Organic forum: avoiding skinny cows. January 2015: Big companies enter grassfed beef market. The fame and struggles of April 2017: Ben Simmons stacks grassfed enterprises in the Deep South. Advisors on Gunthorp Farms. Gabe Brown on adding farm enterprises to attract a new generation. their use of grazing annuals. What to look for in a grassfed dairy cow. Soil healh indica- Getting the energy into 100% grassfed dairy cows. Grassfed needs more productivity. tors you can see. Perennial pastures as the goal. Embrace those crazy consumers!

February 2015: Incubating a grass dairy dream. Why Gabe Brown lets nature do his May 2017: Charles Opitz and Ted Miller re-invent dairy grazing in Louisiana. Advisors cow selection. Dealing with pasture weeds. Is meadow fescue just another silver bullet deal with heat stress. Watch mineral intake in no- and low-grain rations. How to profit grass? Allen Williams on linebreeding for the grassfed market. Organic milk price views. from consumer tendencies. Explaining fatty acids. Grassfed soil fertility strategies. March 2015: New York graziers launch butter business. Putting linebreeding on your June-July 2017: Deep South graziers building soil health. Advisors on establishing pas- farm. Advisors talk annual forage crops. Harnessing advanced soil testing. Finding the ture. Stockmanship: getting problem animals going. How to produce grassfed lamb, part energy in forages. Gabe Brown: designing the grazing system. Lamb is “land salmon”. one. Start with the head when looking for a grazing cow. Tapping the guilt market. June-July 2015: A2 milk marketing effort launched. Allen Williams on closing the gap August-September 2017: Grassfed dairy pioneers look to future. Handling dry weather. between our farming and our food. Advisors deal with seedheads. Putting numbers to In cattle breeding, let form follow function. Saving organic dairy from itself. Leaving linear grazing residuals. Honest grassfed dairy labels. Organic forum: summer slump. thinking behind. Finishing lambs on grazed forages. Mineral programs for no-grain dairy.

November 2015: Fescue works for no-grain dairyman. Advisors on saving labor. Allen October 2017: Ohio company turning cropland into organic dairy pastures. Advisors Williams: grazing for grassfed beef and dairy success. More labor-saving ideas for pas- deal with dry weather. Water’s role in the carbon cycle. Cobalt often overlooked in sheep tured poultry. Making robots work with grazing. Your brain is key to solving handling ills. pastures. What’s new in perennial grazing forages. In mating, treat cows as individuals. December 2015: Cost-cutting graziers shift toward value-added. Being cheap doesn’t November 2017: Midwestern farmers are planting trees in their pastures. Fake meat is cut it anymore. Why he abandoned outwintering. The Van Amburghs manage the whole. going nowhere. What’s with those “happy lines” on cows? Retrofit milking parlors revis- Pastured poultry markets have changed. Organic forum: our toughest challenges. ited. Grassfed organic forum: kceeping good forages in front of no-grain cows.

January 2016: Cow comfort key to NY dairy’s no-grain milk success. Measuring financial December 2017: Schlatters keep pace with changing direct-market situation. What farm progress on the grass farm. To make progress, disrupt your grazing comfort zone. Sheep owners need to know about motivating employees. Advisors: drying off and freshening adding to land value. Putting some numbers to cover crops. Stock need a good leader. cows. The value of livability PTAs. Exploring soil frontiers. Community marketing.

February 2016: Pooling resources to start an organic dairy. Tips for transitioning to January 2018: Paying off the mortgage with no-grain dairy. Advisors on raising calves. 100% grassfed dairy. Balancing soils and milk production with alternative crops. Blue-sky Dairy heifer grazing economics. Soils grow up. Money talks in hiring. Grassfed organic calf housing. Good grazing requires good handling. Organic mistakes and successes. forum: what makes a good dairy cow. How to graze amid trees. Relationship marketing.

March 2016: Building a resilient, 100% grassfed dairy. How small farms can thrive. Ani- February 2018: Grassfed beef co-op success, and lack of success. Gabe Brown on mal welfare concerns benefit graziers. Moving cow-calf pairs on pasture. Van Amburghs improving your degraded resource. Grazing math for healthy soils and wallets. Janet stick close to nature in raising grassfed dairy calves. Making resources work for you. McNally: which sheep work best on pasture? Ensuring grassfed dairy’s future. April 2016: Allen Williams adds up the actual fatty acid benefits of grassfed. The eco- nomics of keeping dairy calves on their dams. Solving existing cow-calf behavior prob- lems. Introducing the Grassfed/Organic forum. Why I’m going to OAD milking. Send $5.00 U.S. for each issue to:

May 2016: Denis Turner’s tips for contract heifer grazing. Planning for dry weather. An- nuals for summer slumps and winter feed. Janet McNally: grazing rotations control sheep parasites. Achieving profitability in grass-finished beef. Designing a Bud Box crowd pen. P.O. Box 48 Belleville, WI 53508 Please specify issues being requested June-July 2016: Surprises along the path to no-grain. Why the advisors feed grain. Allen Williams offers proof for soil health benefits. How to make a Bud Box crowd pen work. Price includes postage! See www.grazeonline.com for sample articles. How one farm prices its grassfed beef. Grazing strategies for the organic, no-grain dairy. Page 24 March 2018 Standard soil tests aren’t telling the story

By Gabe Brown to be available to the plant. The right how well your soil is functioning. management can unlock this biol- Developed by Dr. Rick Haney, a soil Most producers are Last month I discussed a couple of ogy and provide essential nutrients to scientist at the ARS’s Blackland Ex- common misconceptions about soil plants. Dr. Allen Williams has dis- periment Station in Temple, Texas, it over-applying nutrients. health and our ability to improve it. cussed these processes many times in is the best test available today to help This month I want to address another Graze. producers determine how much, if related problem regarding producers In relying upon standard soil tests, any, they can back off from synthetic you’ll need to compare tests taken at relying on standard soil tests to de- most producers are over-applying fertilizer applications. the same time each year. termine the amount of nutrients they nutrients. This has a negative impact Below is a table comparing the Results may vary have in their soils. on soil quality. Over-application Haney test to conventional soil tests. causes declines in mycorrhizal fungi Dr. Haney recommends taking soil It is important to realize that the Just inorganic nutrients populations, which leads to reduced samples at the zero to six-inch depth, Haney test results will vary somewhat Nearly every soil test used today soil aggregation, thus decreasing as the vast majority of soil biology is with each test. This is due to the fact tells you solely the amount of inor- water infiltration. Lack of infiltration found within that profile. that microorganism populations can, ganic (available to the plant) nutrients reduces the plant’s ability to with- Samples should be taken in the and do, change according to condi- in that sample. These tests do not tell stand drought. It negatively affects spring after the soil’s biology has had tions. you the amount of organic (not avail- soil biology. The list goes on. a chance to become active, but before This is what makes the test unique, able to the plant) nutrients in that soil. One of the biggest advancements any fertility inputs are applied. This and it leads to its accuracy. The soil is Also, they do not tell you the share in the health of the soils on my ranch gives you test results in time to fertil- a dynamic, living ecosystem. This test of those organic nutrients that will occurred when I decreased and even- ize accordingly. lends itself to that reality. be made available through biological tually eliminated the use of synthetic If this timing is not possible, you I encourage producers to pull soil activity. fertilizers. can certainly test at any time during samples and divide the soil into two A large percentage of nutrients I recommend the Haney Soil Test the growing season. That said, if you parts. Have a Haney test run on one must go through biological processes as a better option for determining want to compare year to year changes, sample and the test you normally use

Graze Display Advertiser Directory Haney Soil Test Conventional Soil Tests (Passive Test): does not force answers (Aggressive Test): forces from natural system. answer from natural system. aAa Animal Analysis (p.18) 802-775-4980 aAaWeeks.com What type of chemistry is Haney chemistry uses naturally occurring Conventional soil lab chemis- ACRES USA (p.21) 800-355-5313 www.acresusa.com used in lab? organic acids-root acids: (Citric, Malic, try is based on strong caustic Advanced Biological Concepts (p.17) 800-373-5971 www.abcplus.biz Oxalic) and Nature’s solvent, water. Test is hazardous acids and other based on Biomimicry and Green Chem- chemicals: Sulfuric Acid, Hy- Agri-Dynamics (p.3) 877-393-4484 www.agri-dynamics.com istry. drochloric Acid, Ammonium AG-USA (p.25) 888-588-3139 www.AG-USA.net Acetate, Buffered Sodium, Acetic Acid, Nitric Acid, Bestyet AI Sires (p.5) 815-246-9523 www.bestyetaisires.com Phosphoric Acid, Diethylene Big Bear Genetics (p.17) 204-636-2387 www.bigbeargenetics.com triaminepentaascetic acid and Ethylenediamine tetra Burket Falls Farm (p.11) 814-239-2260 www.burketfallsfarm.com acetic acid Byron Seeds (p.27) 920-660-7974 Does soil test mimic micro- Yes, microbes are sub-aquatic creatures. NO, test does not mimic Callicrate Banders (p.10) 800-858-5974 www.CallicrateBanders.com bial and plant environment? Haney rewets soil using water (universal the root and the microbial solvent) and root acids has the extractant. environment. Conventional CFS Specialties, Inc. (p.7) 800-822-6671 www.cfspecial.com soil test uses strong acids. Coburn Company (p.25) 800-776-7042 coburn.com Wrong premise-force infor- CowMaster (p.13) 833-269-6787 www.cowmaster.net mation of Cation Exchange Site. Creative Genetics of CA, Inc. (p.9) 800-640-BULL www.creativegeneticsofca.com Does soil test estimate food Yes, complex water analyzers are used NO, current soil test mea- CRV (p.15) 855-CRV-COWS www.CRV4ALL.us source for microbes- water to determine water soluble carbon (food). sures organic matter, it does This pool of carbon is 80 times smaller not measure food source for Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (p.10) 715-560-0389 www.dga-national.org extractable C (microbial food source) and C:N ratio than the total organic matter pool. Carbon microbes. Organic matter Dramm (p.20) 920-684-0227 www.FishFertilizer.com to determine nutrient cy- and Nitrogen are determined in the soil is the measurement of the Fertrell (p.14) 800-347-1566 cling and nitrogen release water solution. Microbes need nitrogen house, not the food. for plant available N? to process carbon (food). This needed to Forage Innovations (p.17) 920-829-5066 determine plant available nutrients. Geno Global (p.28) 800-ABS-STUD www.norwegianred.com Does soil test measure Yes, Haney test re-wets soil to mimic NO natural soil drying and wetting process. Guy Machinery (p.6,19) 815-338-0600 www.youtube.com/guymachinery microbial activity by using CO2 respiration and percent This natural process combined with the LIC USA (p.3) 810-531-3125 www.licnz.com MAC? intrinsic soil fertility-bound in complex Neptune’s Harvest (p.15) 800-259-4769 www.neptunesharvest.com carbon-based molecules (energy) help de- termine microbial activity-CO2 is released. New Agri-Tech-Cinnatube (p.20) 607-379-3793 www.newagritech.com Percent MAC is the ability and efficiency Normande Genetics (p.7) 612-823-7212 www.normandegenetics.com for microbes to consume the food. Nuest, Inc. (p.14) 219-863-5216 www.Humusolver.com Does soil test measure Yes, Haney test utilizes direct measure- NO water soluble organic N? ments of organic N in the water solution Oregon Ag LLC (p.21) 717-656-0067 with water analyzers. Nitrogen is critical Pastured Providence School (p.19) 740-851-3883 www.pasturedprovidence.com/school for microbial function. Microbes need N to maintain body function and to process Prairie Creek Seed (p.5) 877-754-4019 PrairieCreekSeed.com carbon. Priority IAC (p.16) 888-444-2030 forhealthycows.com Does soil test check for bal- Yes, Nature seeks balance, Haney test will NO Safety Zone Calf Catchers (p.2) 877-505-0914 SafetyZoneCalfCatchers.com ance of inorganic nitrogen give a direct-read nitrogen balance or im- versus organic nitrogen? balance. Inorganic (INON) versus organic Schwarzerde LLC (p.16) 260-463-8613, x1 nitrogen (ON) pools: Shade Haven (p.12) 855-247-4233 www.shadehaven.net High (INON) High (ON) Smith Seed Services (p.12) 888-550-2930 Low (ON) Low (INON) Sunrise Metal (p.6) 260-463-4026 Excessive till- No nutrient cycling age, fertilizer, and Poor infrequent Sustainable Genetics (p.4) 770-605-6385 www.sustainablegenetics.com legumes grazing Taragate Electric Fencing (p.10) 800-530-5158 www.taragate.com Does soil test measure inor- Yes, N03-N NH4-N, P2O5 and K2O, Al, Yes, N03-N, NH4-N, P2O5 Tigerco (p.5) 800-432-4020 www.tigercoinc.com ganic N, P, K, Al, Fe, Ca? Fe, Ca and K2O, Al, Fe, Ca Timeless Fence System (p.19) 800-788-4709 www.plastic-innovation.com Does soil test give an over- Yes, the soil is alive! The soil changes No, antiquated science, old all indicator of soil health? hourly. The Haney soil test utilizes 7 key thought process that was Truax Company (p.21) 763-537-6639 www.truaxcomp.com parameters to make up the soil health built on a wrong premise. Udder Comfort (p.18) 888-773-7153 uddercomfort.com score: Solvita CO2 respiration, water extractable organic carbon, Percent MAC, Valley Farm Supply (p.9) 717-786-0368 www.gallagherelectricfencing.com water extractable organic nitrogen, inor- The Vinegar Guys (p.15) 785-652-7495 www.thevinegarguys.com ganic N, P, organic carbon/nitrogen ratio, and organic N:P ratio. All these parameters are connected to each other and should To advertise in Graze, call Ruth at 608-455-3311 be interpreted as a whole. They all impact each other. Page 25 on the other. Fertilize part of the field Phosphorus pollution of five species of grassland birds on predicts the onset of spring a full according to the Haney test recom- reaching danger zone Bruce Carney’s farm in Maxwell, season in advance. The tool uses mendations, and part according to Iowa. computer models to predict when to your “normal” test recommendation. A new study published in Water They found that grassland birds expect spring in different regions of Allow the results to speak for them- Resources Research, a journal of the were attracted to the rotationally the country. selves. American Geophysical Union, found grazed pasture’s mix of short and The new tool features a map of the The vast majority of producers who that man-made phosphorus pollution tall vegetation, and the bobolink and continental United States that will be do this will soon come to the realiza- is reaching dangerously high levels in grasshopper sparrow even seemed to updated through March 31. The map tion that they have been over-applying freshwater basins around the world. prefer these pastures over a nearby shows where this year's spring will be fertility. The Haney test helps them to A large portion of phosphorus prairie conservation area. The full six- early, late, or on schedule. cut back on fertilizer and keep more applied as fertilizer is not taken up page report is available online. The tool’s developers say they dollars in their pockets. by plants, and either builds up in the hope that these seasonal outlooks When people do the Haney test, soil or washes into rivers, lakes and ‘Springcasting’ offered “could be used by growers and natural they soon learn that carbon is key to coastal seas, according to the study’s The Emergent Climate Risk Lab resource managers to make critical building a healthy soil ecosystem. I authors. They say agriculture accounts at Cornell University has developed decisions.” It can be found at: ecrl. firmly believe that we can determine for 38% of the global phosphorus a web tool called Springcasting that eas.cornell.edu/node/60 the potential profitability of any farm load. This study assessed whether hu- or ranch by the amount of carbon man activity had surpassed the Earth’s cycling in the system. ability to dilute and assimilate excess THE COBURN COMPANY, INC. It is this carbon that feeds soil biol- levels of phosphorus in fresh water. ogy and drives the system. Scientists The authors found that phosphorus such as Dr. David Johnson of New load exceeded the assimilation capac- Raise healthy calves the easy way! Mexico State University are unlock- ity of freshwater bodies on 38% of • Decreases labor costs ing the secrets of soil biology. As this Earth’s land surface, an area housing • Discourages cross-sucking happens, new tests will be developed 90% of the global human population. • Feeder designs for every operation that will allow producers to quantify • Maximizes salivation, improving digestion and take steps to better manage this Some birds prefer biology. pasture to prairie The possibilities are endless. And Threatened grassland birds pre- to think it all revolves around farming ferred rotationally grazed pasture and ranching in nature’s image! to prairie in a project sponsored by Gabe Brown and his family raise and Practical Farmers of Iowa. market non-GMO grains, grass-finished The multi-year trial, results of beef and lamb, pastured pork and which were published in PFI’s report laying hens near Bismarck, ND. Gabe “Monitoring Birds in Rotation- is a founding partner in Soil Health ally Grazed Pasture, 2017 Update”, Consulting, LLC. He can be reached at included findings of Drake University 800 776 7042 | COBURN.COM [email protected] students who monitored populations 2018 BLK-Spot Milk Bar Ad.indd 1 1/3/2018 7:39:17 AMoperation esigns for evioenry • Feeder d igest Paid ucking ingPaidd ross-s mprov advertisement • es c salivation, i advertisement Decreased labor costusra•gMaximizes Retain Moisture and Get Rid ofsc oCompaction • Di Page 26 March 2018 Conversations with the land Our agriculture needs a new language

By Jim Van Der Pol It was, as these conferences are, attempts to join young people deter- ing generation to act in ways other populated by old farmers hoping mined to farm with farmers who need than selling out for top dollar and FedEx and UPS trucks are ubiq- against hope that all the years of push- to slow down and want someone car- then spending the rest of their lives in uitous here in “ghost town middle ing and work on their farms could still rying forward on their land. the diner complaining about how the America”. amount to something. It has a strong education compo- young and the world as a whole are They are testimony to the destruc- And they were surrounded by nent, which is absolutely necessary in going to pot, and how the town is dry- tion first of the small town businesses the thirty-somethings and twenty- today’s world. But more importantly ing up and dying. by the WalMarts and other big box somethings with their colorful hair it is an apprentice program, with all stores in favor of the regional centers, and jewelry, and their that this brings in Learning a new language and now the decimation of those cen- children and their preg- terms of the commu- This is an opportunity to learn and ters and, I suppose, the big box stores nancies, so determined nication that can hap- talk a new language and to use that in favor of the much-desired Amazon not to fit into the corpo- pen about particular language habitually. There was at the distribution complexes. These are rate mold, but to find a farms and particular conference a small number of “plain pursued feverishly by states offering way to live usefully on a people in particular folks” who are already living differ- taxpayer money to the giant of retail human scale and to raise circumstances. ently and have something to teach. in lieu of doing anything actually their children on the land. meaningful for their populations. This is what has This is critical. The future for farm They are ready to tear The truck I saw yesterday on the been missing in country, if there is to be one, absolute- things apart and reassem- way to my meeting at ten to eight in agriculture. It honors ly depends on people like this — both the morning here in the middle of ble them in a way that the knowledge and the young ones willing to wade into nowhere testified to the evident need makes human sense. wisdom — and the a tough business and fight to make it of the dispatcher to get the truck off to And the wonder of it drive — of people better, and the older ones unwilling to an early start to deliver what won’t be is that the older ones are rather than being just exchange the meaning of their life for bought on Main Street. The sight of it catching the spirit. The dreams of the another attempt to generate a “one nothing more than top dollar for the set my mind to contemplation of the old are being supported by the resolve size fits all” kind of solution. assets. bleak future planned for us here by of the young. This promises, for one thing, And it really is either this kind of the powers that be. But the young need help; more than that some of the re-inventing of the effort, or we settle into a quiet ac- they have so far received. They need wheel that often happens with gen- ceptance on the farms of the obsoles- Different realities access to land on which to try out erational change in ownership can cence that the powerful have planned But then there are other realities, as their dreams. be dispensed. And for the retiring for all of us. represented by the Wisconsin Grass- The Dairy Grazing Apprentice generation, it highlights a whole other For instance, this week came awful Works grazing conference several Program is an attempt to speak to this approach, one still mostly missing. news out of New York City about a weeks ago. need. Still in its infancy, the DGA This is an opportunity for the retir- lifelong cab driver who took his own Page 27 life in front of city hall to call atten- of Uber as the politicians mouth pi- everything else. They are valuable far tion to the fact that the politicians We are trying to eties about how technology is always beyond what profit they might bring. have collaborated with Uber to de- wonderful and everyone benefits as Good farming builds healthy soil. We stroy the lives of ordinary cab drivers. learn a new they sing the praises of the driverless can improve soil health through the In a Facebook note, he said: language. car. generations. Farmers must be stew- “I worked 100-120 consecutive Some of us have learned that we ards.” hours almost every week for the past can never change anything by per- Language controls thought and fourteen plus years. what a few nuts in farm country might sisting in using the language or the precedes action. “There are over 100,000 of us suf- think to say that might interfere with narrative that dominates in farm Today this second group of ideas fering daily now. It’s the new slavery. the next election? country. We are trying to learn a new and thoughts are a minor strain in our “I hope with the public sacrifice I Lately I have been persecuting language. culture, as is the GrassWorks confer- make now that some attention to the them over the free pass on organic Language and thought are very ence itself. These things exist as a plight of the drivers and the people certification that the USDA has given closely linked. We think with words, kind of infection in the politics and will be done to save them and it will Aurora Dairy, and the way that cheap- so there is a sense in which our words economy the nation and world over. not have been in vain. ens the work of small and midsize precede our thinking. And we must “. . .they count their money and farmers. be able to think, or imagine what we Spreading infections we are driven down into the streets I do these calls as a routine, want, before we will move in that But infections spread. People who we drive becoming homeless and something like brushing my teeth. I direction. are dissatisfied with things as they are hungry. I will not be a slave working recommend it to you. Don’t be nice. Currently in agriculture we say: — and we have plenty of those — are for chump change. I would rather be You don’t owe them that; they owe “Biggest farmers are the best farm- the vectors. Change … big change … dead.” you. We very much need to do what ers. That is why they are the biggest. is afoot! we can to help make a path for these Bigger is better because bigger can And conventional agriculture is Our role young. They are our future. specialize. Our land is there to be terrified. In Brown County here in There is a role for everyone here. I used (used up?). It is our right to western Minnesota, the commodity have taken on a discipline of monthly Challenging the language buy land and use it as we wish. We groups just forced the county com- calls to my federal representative and So what about the meeting and must produce the most food possible. missioners to turn down state funding two senators questioning them about the FedEx truck? We were meeting Technology is more important than to test water wells for nitrates for fear what they have or have not done to in a deliberate attempt to change the biology. The labs will solve all the of what they would find and what that increase young farmer opportunity language about agriculture and farm- problems.” might mean for mono-crop agricul- on the land, as well as opportunity in ing, thus improving chances for our Instead we could say and think: ture. The next election there will be general across our rural populations. young, for our towns and schools, and “Small farms are vital to rural com- very interesting. A doctor’s wife is I push hard, and never fail to let them especially for our threatened soils, munities. Diversity is a source of leading the charge. know I will be talking freely about waterways and groundwater here in strength. We must promote diversity The wind is beginning to be more what they do, or mostly don’t do. western Minnesota. of crops, animals, people and kinds of at our back. There are more than just They hate that. Dialogue among The dominant language or story farms. We need to study the biology a few of us! voters scares them. They are much supports things as they are. After all, of the soil. more comfortable with the demands it is our dominant economic thinking “Land, water and soil are the Jim Van Der Pol grazes and markets of large donors. After all, who knows that beggars the cab driver in the age foundation of life for all people and from his farm near Kerkhoven, MN.

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Rockville, Indiana Larry Hawkins at 608-516-0101 or [email protected] Dealer Inquiries Welcome