Grassland Evaluation Contest Study GuideFifth Edition: October 2005
Practical Exercises

Pasture improvement

  1. What changes should be made in livestock management? The answer is "F - switch to a management intensive rotational grazing system. By switching to MiG forage supplies meet animal demand in all seasons.

  2. What type of additional forage is needed to improve this forage program? The answer is "D - No additional forages needed - use existing pasture". Since forage was short in summer, fall and winter any shift in forage species would create a larger deficit in the other seasons. Management intensive grazing will correct the situation in all seasons.

  3. How should this forage be planted? The answer is "D - No additional forages needed - use existing pasture" since no additional forages are needed.

  4. What fertilizer rate is recommended for this forage? The answer is the same as for Question 6 existing conditions.

  5. What limestone rate is recommended for this forage in tons per acre? The answer is the same as for Question 7 in the Appraisal of Existing Conditions.

Pasture Scenario Calculations:

Animal Liveweight Calf Number: Calf Avg. Weight:
30 cows @ 1100 lbs. = 33000 lbs.   30 X .90 = 27 450 + .5 (150) = 525
1 bull @ 2000 lbs. = 2000 lbs.  
27 calves @ 525 lbs. = 14175 lbs. (Spring)

Forage Consumption:

Spring   Fall
Cows (dry) = 33,000 x .02 = 660   Cows (lact) = 33,000 x .03 = 990
Bull = 2,000 x .02 = 40   Bull (brdg) = 2,000 x .025 = 50
Calves = 14,175 x .03 = 425     1040
  1125    
 
Summer   Winter
Cows (dry) = 33,000 x .02 = 660   Cows (lact) = 33,000 x .03 = 990
Bull = 2,000 x .02 = 40   Bull = 2,000 x .02 = 40
  700     1030

Total forage required based on % utilization (.35 cont. .65 mig)

Spring
1125/.35 = 3214 x 100 = 321,400
1125/.65 = 1731 x 100 = 173,100

Summer
700/.35 = 2000 x 100 = 200,000
700/.65 = 1077 x 100 = 107,700

Fall
1040/.35 = 2971 x 100 = 297,100
1040/.65 = 1600 x 100 = 160,000

Winter
1030 daily needs x 65 = 66,950 herd requirements for the season

65,000 standing x .35 (cont. grazing) = 22,750 + 50,000 hay = 72,750
65,000 standing x .65 (MiG) = 42,250 + 50,000 hay = 92,250


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