| Grassland Evaluation Contest Study Guide | Fifth Edition: October 2005 |
| Grassland Evaluation Contest Rules - Pasture Improvement | |
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Continue present management: Use this option when the livestock management practices matches with the landowners goals and forage management.
Reduce livestock numbers: Use this option when the livestock numbers exceed the
carrying capacity of the farm even when calculated for a different grazing management system.
Calculating the forage requirement using the percentage utilization for management-intensive
grazing may allow the farmer to keep the herd at it.s current size if livestock numbers are too high
for a continuous grazing system.
Change calving season to a different time of year: Spring or fall calving are recommended for Missouri conditions. Summer calving should be avoided due to the potential of low cow conception rates caused by hot weather. Shorten calving season to a period of <90 days: Use this option when the calving season is spread out over more than one season for that single herd or when year-round calving is being practiced. Provide higher quality pasture This option should be chosen when the farm scenario states that the farmer has problems with low weight gains, low conception rates and/or low weaning weights or when fescue endophyte is a problem. Switch to a management-intensive rotational grazing system Switching to a management-intensive rotational grazing system may improve forage availability if the carrying capacity of the farm is exceeded under continuous grazing management. Management-intensive grazing can also reduce problems with spot-grazing in pastures. This option should be chosen when there is a shortage of forage in more than one season.
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