by Katie Navarra
Grazing livestock have the potential to maximize or exceed their daily intake requirements ultimately leading to increased production than if fed stored forages.
“Well-managed pastures are generally higher in quality than any other forage,” Karen Hoffman, Resource Conversationalist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, said. Livestock allowed to graze consume the plant when it is in the vegetative stage of growth before it sends out a seed head.
“The plant will be lower in fiber, which means it is more easily digested by the animal, with the help of bacteria in the rumen of the animals that have one,” she added. Pastures also tend to be higher in protein and energy than other forages due to the stage of plant growth. Furthermore, Continue reading
Category Archives: Western Edition
Quality fleece production
by Katie Navarra
Twelve months of work is measured in a matter of minutes. Shearing day reveals the overall health of the animal and defines the income that animal has produced in its fleece. A successful shearing day begins months in advance and is achieved with proper nutrition and grazing management practices.
Nutrition
A quality clipping begins well before shearing. In addition to the animal’s breeding nutrition, pasture management and parasite control significantly impact the quality of the fleece produced.
“Protein and energy are the two big things,” Aaron Gabriel with Cornell Cooperative Extension said, “the stage of the plant affects quality Continue reading
Dryden Dairy Day Parade
Dryden, NY — This year brought us to the 29th Annual Dryden Dairy Day. The parade is part of a full celebration of June is Dairy Month. Dryden is a small farming community in Upstate New York that is surrounded by area farms. The event incorporates local business, schools and churches for a fun-filled parade and then a gathering at the small community park. Everything in the park is based on the goodness of Dairy and Dairy products.
This year the parade was dedicated to a local Grange member and long time farmer, Roger Gleason, and after the area farmers losing one of the most reliable and trusted repairman in April, a local Dryden Dairy farmer was inspired to organize a tractor procession for the end of the Continue reading
We’re not overgrazing, we’re under managing
by Troy Bishopp
NEWARK VALLEY, NY — This situation of farmers under-managing grazing land, plants, animals, biological systems and finances was the backdrop of what internationally renowned holistic grazing educator and South African rancher, Ian Mitchell-Innes, has seen throughout America on his three month lecture series preaching the gospel of working in “wholes”.
“The grazing opportunities in the Northeast are absolutely exciting but one has to treat it like a train stop. You’ve got to be ready to get on. Money will not save us, management will,” said Innes.
Creating this grazing workshop with a different perspective using holistic management decision-making tools was the brain-child of Brian Reaser, Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District’s agricultural planner, Board Treasurer of the CNY RC&D Council and former Continue reading
