lets get started grazing

Let’s Get Started Grazing

Steffanie Simpson

White Hall Farmwhitehallfarm@frontiernet.net

Kearneysville, WV

White Hall Farm

53 Acres in Jefferson County, WV plus 20 Acres leased for 2014

100 head of Commercial Katahdin Ewes 30 head of Replacement Ewe lambs (2013) 30 head of Commercial Kiko Cross, Nubian, and Boer Does 10 head of Replacement Doelings (2013) 95 % Ram Lambs and Bucklings marketed for Eid al-Adha Ewe Lambs have been retained to grow the flock Goal is for the flock to produces lambs/kids that thrive on

forage

Everybody Has Pasture, Right?

In 2013 we lambed and kidded in Feb/March Purchased feed until we had grass growing Beginning in 2014, Lambing and Kidding will start April 1 Allows for pregnant ewes and does to graze small grains

last 30 days Lamb/Kid on pasture and remain on pasture Lambs and Kids will wean in July and graze Millet/Brassica

until market

Looks like we need the most forage in the summer…

Our Pastures consisted of …

Fesc

ueORCHARD GRASSPerennial W

eedsClover

Thistle

So, What Can We Do To Fill That Gap? Planted approx 12 acres in Millet/Brassica mix

Rented No-Till Drill of local Conservation District Grazed weaned lambs and kids---130 head July 15 until mid to late September 2013 For simplicity 90 days of grazing Sale price per pound $2.00, average weight 75 pounds=$19,500 The average daily labor for moving rotational fences=2 hours Very similar to the daily labor to feed the same amount of animals

Low Input vs. High Input

Grazing Forages Purchasing Feeds

What actually happened…

Cost

Tim

e

$$ R

etur

n0

4

8

12

16

20

GrazingFeed

Grazing Feeding

Total Cost $1,250 $6,812

Return $18,250 $12,700

Ewe Lambs and Doelings grazing Millet/Brassica

Manage for re-growth

Take Half….. ……Leave Half

Added Benefits of Rotational Grazing

Disperse Manure Across Field

Eliminate Concentrated Feeding Areas

Reduce Parasite Risks Continually Fresh Forage Value-Added Product

Tools of the Trade…Electric Net Fencing

Gallagher SmartFence Reel

Powering Your Electric Fence

Choose high quality charger that exceeds your needs Proper installation and maintenance

Grounding rods Connectors Cut-out switches Check it everyday

What Is Our Target?

Quality Lambs and Goats with correct finish

Finish Lambs and Goats for Eid al Adha

We needed a few lambs for local, traditional processing

Ewe Lambs and Doelings to continue growing for replacements

Ethnic/religious holidays impact prices.

7-J

an

21-J

an

4-F

eb

18-F

eb

4-M

ar

18-M

ar

1-A

pr

15-A

pr

29-A

pr

13-M

ay

27-M

ay

10-J

un

24-J

un

8-J

ul

22-J

ul

5-A

ug

19-A

ug

2-S

ep

16-S

ep

30-S

ep

14-O

ct

28-O

ct

11-N

ov

25-N

ov $100

$120

$140

$160

$180

$200

$220

$240

Price per cwt, ~70 lb. lambs, Prime and Choice, YG 2-3

New Holland, Pennsylvania

Western EasterMar 31

Festival of the SacrificeOct 15

RamadanJul 9- Aug

8

Orthodox Easter (May 5)

Quality (finish) affects prices.

$70

$90

$110

$130

$150

$170

$190

27-36 kg kids, $ per head (weighted average)New Holland, Pennsylvania USA

April 1 -November, 4, 2013

Price Driven By Quality…Finish…

Ready For Market Not Ready

Pit Falls of Grazing System

Forages not available when you need them Too Much or Too Little Forage Dependant on nature for rain Abandoning the System Mid-Season Poor Quality Market Lambs and Goats

PARASITES

Sometimes Things Don’t Always Look Good…

What Went Wrong..Here?

Planted Late

Mechanical Failure of the Drill

No Rain for 3 Weeks After Planting

Changes For Next Year….

Rent a Better Drill

Plant Earlier

And Here?

INTERNAL PARASITES Higher Diligence Work EVERY 2 WEEKS FAMACHA System Treat Only Those

Needing It Weight and Records

Use The FAMACHA System …

The Five Point Check

Handling Equipment We Use

Chute System include a scale, headgate and turntable

Predator Control is Very Important

Forages

Tall Fescue

PastureGrowth Trend

Orchard Grass

Where Can You Get Help?

Local Agricultural Extension Agent – Resource and Information

NRCS Field Technicians - Resource FSA Staff – Farm Maps Local Conservation District – Soil and Forage Tests Seed and Fertilizer Dealers – Product Information New Equipment Dealers – Rental Department – No-Till

Drills Grazing and Forage Conferences

How Can You Start Your Grazing Plan?

Look At Your Farm: Field Size, Shape, Layout Acquire Fence Energizer and Electric Nets Select a Paddock size that will give your

animals 2 days of grazing Be sure to move water and minerals with the

animals Don’t over graze before making the next move Lots of Trial And Error to determine your

division sizes

Grazing Has Benefited Us

Reducing Feed Costs

Improved Animal Health

Improved Our Use of Resources

Start Toward Creating Local Market

Our Experiences Have

Motivated Us To Expand

Our Grazing Plan

Take Home Points Grazing is not without risk – You are managing

Nature What works for one may not work for another It may not work the same year after year Stay Vigilant about Parasites Start small – Don’t overwhelm yourself Be Flexible and Adapt to adverse conditions Be a Mindful Steward of the Land

My Favorite Websites

Sheepandgoat.com Tennesseemeatgoats.com Premier1supplies.com Onpasture.com Ohiosheep.org