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Grazier's Toolbox and Seed Drill Demonstrations: Hands-On Forage Management Workshops

Extension Education

Timothy Vining
Regional Extension Agent
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Moulton

Abstract

In 2021, three Grazier’s Toolbox and Seed Drill Demonstration Workshops were held in Northwest Alabama. A “grazier” is defined as someone who grazes or feeds cattle for the market. This title was chosen to highlight the program’s goal of improving the grazing efficiency in Northwest Alabama. Grazing efficiency is defined as utilizing the optimal amount of available forage while maintaining forage productivity. Program objectives included educating beef cattle producers regarding methods to estimate available forage mass, equipment to aid in forage establishment, and implementing tools that contribute to improved grazing efficiency. The Colbert, Fayette, and Winston County Extension Offices and Regional Extension Agent, Paul Vining organized and implemented these hands-on grazing management workshops, holding each event on a beef cattle producer’s operation. To accomplish program objectives a classroom style PowerPoint presentation was given that offered insight into developing a grazing system, followed by hands-on workshops. Grazing sticks and forage mass estimation worksheets were distributed to each program participant. A grazing stick is a 36-inch measuring stick that provides a detailed estimate of the available forage mass expressed in available pounds of forage dry matter per inch of forage height on a per acre basis. The worksheets contained formulas used to estimate forage mass availability and the amount of forage cattle would consume daily. Using these tools, a producer could make decisions about the proper time to rotate cattle and allow for forage regrowth and pasture recovery. Two workshops featured no-till seed drills. Instruction for using and calibrating these machines was provided. At each workshop temporary fencing and rotational grazing methods were emphasized. At one of the workshops participants physically moved temporary fence posts and electric wire, allowing cattle to graze a fresh paddock. These workshops hosted a total of 64 Alabama beef cattle producers. Program survey results indicated that 100% of program attendees found the information presented useful and applicable to their operation. Workshop attendees assigned an estimated positive economic impact that totaled $50,000 and averaged $4,375 per response. Knowledge gained from these workshops impacted a total of 2,973 acres and 2,186 head of livestock.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Timothy Vining, Zack Brannon, Kimberly Mullenix, Leanne Dillard
  1. Vining, T. Regional Extension Agent, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 35650
  2. Brannon, Z. County Extension Coordinator-Winston County, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 35553
  3. Mullenix, K. Extension Beef Cattle Specialist , Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 36849
  4. Dillard, L. Extension Forage Specialist , Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 36849