Duration: 10/01/2008 to 09/30/2013

Administrative Advisor(s):

NIFA Reps:

Non-Technical Summary

Statement of Issues and Justification

Livestock production is a high-risk enterprise, with feed costs underlying much of the uncertainty for producers. Fluctuations in the cost of inputs and the availability of public grazing land have eliminated some livestock operators and put many more at risk of losing their businesses. Furthermore, producers relying on public land allotments are faced with increased conflicts with other public land uses, loss of forage due to wildfires and the following two year rest period, increased levels of invasive weeds, reductions in AUMs, and other regulations. This committee will focus its efforts on management-intensive grazing of temperate and irrigated pastures as a key component of sustainable livestock production systems in the western U.S. Forage-based livestock production managed for economic and ecological sustainability can address the problems associated with input costs, environmental risk, and land use issues.

This committee and WERA 110 both deal with forage-based livestock systems in the western U.S. The main difference between the 2 committees is that WERA 110 addresses the extensive management of rangeland production systems whereas this committee will address the more intensive management of temperate and irrigated pastures. These more intensive management systems are generally characterized by the seeding of improved forage species (both grasses and legumes), fertilization, and irrigation which are not typically used in the management of rangeland. A number of ranches in the western U.S. utilize irrigated meadows for hay and/or grazing purposes as part of their overall production system. Therefore, some of the results from this committee could be utilized or incorporated into the rangeland systems being addressed by WERA 110, such as the stockpiling of irrigated pasture forage for fall and winter grazing. However, the main emphasis of this committee will be to address complete, standalone forage production systems that are environmentally and economically sustainable. Some of the benefits of intensive systems include improved nutrient cycling which can reduce needs for nitrogen fertilizer, carbon sequestration, and protection against soil erosion. More intensive systems also offer greater marketing opportunities, since livestock are usually accessible, where they may not be under extensive rangeland conditions. A number of producers have benefitted economically by adopting these intensive pasture systems through outreach efforts associated with the Lost River Grazing Academy which is sponsored by several of the members of this committee. Basically, this committee will provide the main outlet for forage scientists in the western U.S. unlike WERA 110 whose membership is dominated by animal and range scientists.

This committee also has some cross-ties with W503 that deals with grass-fed beef. However, it appears that W503 is concentrating more on the animal aspects of grass-fed beef such as meat quality and not on how to manage pasture for a high quality grass-fat product that is ready to eat. The direction of W503 appears to be driven by the makeup of the committee which is mainly animal scientists with a few plant/forage scientists. Grass-fed is a broad term which means that animals could be finished on irrigated pasture, rangeland, hay, or some combination of sources. Therefore, this committee could compliment W503 by supplying information on irrigated pasture management principles, but the focus of W503 as far as potential forage sources for finishing animals is actually much broader. Additionally, two members of this committee are also members of W503 to provide that cross-linkage between the 2 groups.

Rotationally stocked pastures use grazing animals to harvest forages efficiently and at a stage of plant growth that optimizes forage nutritive value and pasture plant regrowth. While this approach to grazing dates to the late 1950s (Voisin, 1959), rotational stocking on rainfed or irrigated pastures (Gerrish, 2004) or on rangeland (Butterfield et al., 2006) is not widely accepted in the U.S. However, this low-input, sustainable approach to livestock production is common in the U.K., Europe, South Africa, and Australia, and is the basis for livestock production in New Zealand (Hodgson, 1990). We propose rotationally stocked, intensively managed grazing systems as the most environmentally and economically sustainable alternative to extensive (continuous) grazing practices for beef production, and to confinement (drylot) systems for dairy production.

Many U.S. livestock producers are successfully using grazing-based systems (Harwood et al., 1999; Loeffler et al., 1996), but producers still weighing their options need detailed information to support their decision-making process (Center for Dairy Profitability; Coburn and Donaldson, 1995; Kingsbery 1989). While there are many reasons to adopt management-intensive livestock production systems, they must be built on sound economics (Castle et al., 1987; Ford and Musser, 1998; Schleicher et al., 2000; Smith et al., 1986).

In the U.S., much of the research on rotational stocking management has been carried out in the East, South, or Midwest (Barnhart et al., 1998; Bartlett et al., 1997; Blaser et al., 1986; Gerrish and Roberts, 1999). This work constitutes a useful but incomplete resource for producers in the western U.S., where irrigation must be addressed as both a management and a sustainability issue (Hill, 1994; Hill et al., 2000). The response of grazing animals also varies with climate, soils, and plant species, so the general literature (e.g., Beef Improvement Federation, 1996) should be reviewed for applicability, and new relevant regional resources made available (Adams et al., 2000; Barnhill et al., 1999; Brummer and Pearson, 2002; Guldan et al., 2000; Ingram and David, 1998).

Prospective members of this committee have the expertise to formulate and share research results and conduct outreach programs to assist livestock producers to adopt environmentally and economically sustainable forage and grassland management resulting in reduced forage costs and improved production and greater ecological sustainability of integrated forage-livestock operations in the western U.S.

Objectives

Procedures and Activities

As for meeting objective 1, it is proposed that the annual meeting of this group be held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Pacific Northwest Forage Workers. This joint meeting will not only increase attendance, but also foster the exchange of information among forage producers, research and extension personnel, NRCS field personnel, and others interested in forage-livestock systems throughout the western U.S. Besides the exchange of information regarding current research and extension programming, a speaker will be invited each year to share information on a current topic of interest to the group. A major thrust at the annual meeting will be to identify and then develop research proposals that have applicability across the western region. Currently, there is interest in developing a proposal to seek funding to look at different methods of interseeding legumes into existing grass stands to improve productivity and forage quality.

The education of forage producers and those that disseminate forage management information such as extension agents and NRCS field personnel will be an important component of this group as part of objective 2. Besides those mentioned above, there is a need to educate agricultural lenders as to the economic benefits of forage-based livestock production systems. This group proposes to seek funding from sources such as the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative and Western SARE to develop programs and printed materials that will help educate those interested in sustainable forage production. One possibility is to seek funding to support travel and expenses of those involved in the Lost River Grazing Academy to present this program in other states throughout the western U.S. This program was developed by personnel from Idaho and Utah and has been well received in those states. Another extension project that is currently in the works is the production and publication of a Pacific Northwest Pasture Guide. This is a cooperative project among Washington, Idaho, and Utah and is funded by a Western SARE grant. As a final component of Objective 2, there is a need to transfer the expertise and findings from this group on sound forage management techniques to the recently formed multistate project (W-503) dealing with grass-fed beef. The 2 groups are very complementary and should work together to increase the knowledge base surrounding production of this potentially important value-added product for producers. This committee will identify and designate one individual to serve as liaison between this group and W-503.

For Objective 3, the group proposes to maintain and add to the database of information related to forage production and pasture management that was started under WERA 1002. A website with this information is currently being maintained by North Dakota State University. Information on verified sources of grass, legume, and forb seeds and legume inoculants will be compiled and posted to the website so producers and others have a means of finding varieties of seeds adapted to the western U.S.

Expected Outcomes and Impacts

Projected Participation

View Appendix E: Participation

Educational Plan

Participants are currently conducting extension and other educational programs that distribute some forage management information to producers, extension agents, consultants, and governmental agencies such as the NRCS. These programs would be significantly enhanced by the sharing of teaching methods, curricula, and research/demonstration data among participants from various western states. Existing programs include field days and workshops, such as the "Lost River Grazing Academy", a four-day hands-on workshop for grazers and consultants. In an effort to improve participation and outreach of this committee, it is proposed that the annual meeting be held in conjunction with the Pacific Northwest Forage Workers. This group has many of the same goals and objectives as this committee.

Organization/Governance

The recommended Standard Governance for multistate research activities includes the election of a Chair, a Chair-elect, and a Secretary. All officers are to be elected for at least two-year terms to provide continuity. Administrative guidance will be provided by an assigned Administrative Advisor and a CSREES Representative.

Literature Cited

Adams, D.C., R.T. Clark, G. Carriker, and R.E. Sandberg. 2000. March vs. June Calving Systems. National Cattlemens Beef Association, Cattlemens College. Denver, CO.

Barnhill, J., S. Olsen, R.F. Sessions, D. Miner, T. Julen-Day, N. Hansen, and C. Garn 1999. Small Pasture Management Guide for Utah. AG 508

Barnhart, S., D. Morrical, J. Russel, K. Moore, M. Miller, and C. Brummer. 1998. Pasture Management Guide for Livestock Producers, University Extension, Iowa State University, Pm-1713.

Bartlett, B., T. Cadwallader, J. Cockrell, D. Combs, D. Cosgrove, R. Klemme, L. Tranel, and D. Understander. 1997. Grazing Reference Materials Manual, Cooperative Extension Division of Wisconsin-Extension, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Beef Improvement Federation. 1996. Guidelines for Uniform Beef Improvement Programs, Northwester Research Extension Center, Colby Kansas. 159 pages.

Blaser, R.E., R.C. Hammes, Jr., J.P. Fontenot, H.T. Bryant, C.E. Polan, D.D. Wolf, F.S. McClaugherty, R.G. Cline, and J.S. Moore. 1986. Forage-Animal Management Systems, Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Bulletin 86-7.

Brummer, J.E. and C.H. Pearson. 2002. Proceedings of the Intermountain Forage Symposium. Tech. Bull. LTB 02-1, Colorado State University.

Butterfield, J., S. Bingham, and A. Savory. 2006. Holistic Management Handbook: Healthy Land, Healthy Profits. Island Press, 272 pages.

Castle, E.N., M. Becker, and A.G. Nelson. 1987. Farm Business Management: The Decision Making Process, 3rd Ed. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York.

Center for Dairy Profitability: http://cdp.wisc.edu/Great%20Lakes.htm

Coburn, J. and S. Donaldson. 1995. Small Ranch Manual: A Guide to Management for Green Pastures and Clean Water, University of Nevada-Reno.

Ford, S.A. and W.N. Musser. 1998. Evaluating Profitability of Pasture Systems as Found in Grazing in the Northeast: Assessing Current Technologies, Research Directions, and Education Needs. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service, NRAES-113. March 25-26, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.

Gerrish, J. 2004. Management-intensive Grazing. The Grassroots of Grass Farming. Green Park Press, 314 pages.

Gerrish, J. and C. Roberts. 1999. Missouri Grazing Manual, Cooperative Extension, University of Missouri, Columbia.

Guldan, S.J., L.M. Lauriault, and C.A. Martin. 2000. Evaluation of irrigated tall fescue-legume communities in the steppe of the southern Rocky Mountains. Agronomy Journal 92: 1189-1195.

Harwood, E.D., E.A. Claypoole, M.A. Wright, C.A. Crispell. 1999. Back to Grass: Farming with Managed Intensive Grazing (video), Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Hill, R.W. 1994. Consumptive [water] use of irrigated crops in Utah. Utah Agric. Exp. Stn. Res. Rep. 145.

Hill, R.W., M. Winger, and D. Worwood. 2000. Sprinklers, crop water use, and irrigation time. Carbon and Emery counties. Utah State University Extension electronic publication ENGR/BIE/WM/07.

Hodgson, J. 1990. Grazing Management: Science into Practice. Longman Scientific & Technical (John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York). 203 pages.

Ingram, R. and P. David. 1998. California Grazing Academy, University of California, Cooperative Extension.

Kingsbery, B. 1989. How to Plan, Implement & Practice Controlled Grazing on Your Place, Kingsbery Communication, Woodinville, Washington. 57 pages.

Loeffler, B., H. Murray, D.G. Johnson, E.I. Fuller. 1996. Knee Deep in Grass: A survey of twenty-nine grazing operations in Minnesota. Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota, BU-6693-S.

Schleicher, A.D., B.W. Hess, D.W. Koch, L.J. Held, J.W. Flake, and L. Brokaw. 2000. Windrow grazing versus feeding baled meadow hay to beef cows. Proc West. Soc. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 51: 43-46.

Smith, B., P.S. Leung, and G. Love. 1986. Intensive Grazing Management: Forage, Animals, Men, Profits. The Graziers Hui, Yu Luen Offset Printing Factory, Ltd. Hong Kong. 350 pages.

Voisin, A. 1959. Grass Productivity. Island Press, Covelo, California, 346 pages.

Attachments

Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

CO, ID, ND, NM, UT, WA

Non Land Grant Participating States/Institutions