permaculture

[Mark <mpludwig@facstaff.wisc.edu>]

Drought certainly is a problem this year in NA, thought this might be of 
interest to some of  you.
Mark L

> Date: Sun, 18 Aug 2002 12:25:58 -0400
> From: Scott McKibbon <scomac@spectranet.ca>
> Subject: [grazersedge] Drought Strategies for Dick
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> Dick,
>
>     I spent some time this morning reviewing my files.  It was
> surprising just how much info. I've accumulated over the years.  I'll
> try and touch on the basics that others have covered on this topic over
> the years.  (Credits to Dan Vosberg, Vaughn Jones, Ann Clark, Les Vough
> and Emily Carlson).
>
> 1.  As Clay said, the mental part is the toughest.  It will rain
> sometime and I'd be very surprised if you didn't get some good grazing
> in before the year is out.
>
> 2.  It's best to introduce stored feed before you're out of grass.  It's
> easier on the pastures and cows and you will end up useing less stored
> feed in the end.  (I don't know whether we're too late for this.)
>
> 3.  Slow down the rotation and DON'T chase grass that isn't big enough
> for grazing.  You'll do more damage later on than good now.
>
> 4.  Leave a higher residual to help shade the soil and give the grass
> more reserves to cope with the stress --- it will regrow quicker.  6"
> residual was suggested for OG and other coarse grass species.
>
> 5.  Reserve what grass you do have for the stock with the highest
> nutritional needs -- ie. milkers.  I guess this depends somewhat on what
> quality of stored feed you've got.  Dry lotting heifers and dry cows and
> feeding med. quality hay will work well to conserve grass for the
> milkers.  If all you've got is dairy quality hay then it would be better
> targeted at the milkers.
>
> 6.  Half day grazing isn't a bad strategy.  Keeping the milkers in the
> barn during the heat of the day will conserve energy used in walking and
> disapating heat.
>
> 7.  Strategic use of N will help to spring pastures back to life when
> some rain arrives.  Even without rain (if the grass is not dormant)
> there is a noticeable difference in DM accumulation where N was applied
> vs. no N fertilization.  The morning dews with this humid weather will
> help to wash the N in.  Use a non volatile form of N though.
>
> 8.  Bring additional acres into the rotation if they are available.
> Grazing corn is a possibility if it has been stressed by drought and may
> not make a reasonable crop of silage.
>
> 9.  Worst case scenario is to destock some if you are faced with buying
> a lot of expensive feed, particularily if you will be short of feed for
> the winter.  You'll have to run the numbers to determine what the
> payback will be at current feed and milk prices.  This may be a good
> time to cull a few of your bottom enders and/or sell a few heifers that
> aren't up to your standards.
>
>     Most of what I have said will be irrelevant if you have nothing left
> to graze.  You will have no choice but to go to stored feed.  But, I'm
> hoping that you still have some grass left that you can maybe use some
> of these strategies to help you get through this drought.
>
>     Last year, I had no real choice but to go to stored feed completely
> for 6+ weeks in July and August.  Saving the pastures did pay off as we
> got some rain in late August, early September and I got some good
> grazing in during the fall (half days).  That really helped to conserve
> feed for the winter and I got a nice boost in milk during the fall
> period.
>
>     Drought conditions can certainly be trying, even for the most
> experienced grazier.  But, it is something we all have to learn how to
> manage arround if we intend to be in this business for any length of
> time.  A good contingency plan is invaluable in dealing with this
> situation.  With the improvements in long range weather forecasting that
> should help us to make plans ahead of time for dealing with extreme
> weather events.
>
>     I hope that some of this is some value to you.  Good luck and keep
> us posted on what transpires.
>
> Regards,
>
> Scott McKibbon
> Mt. Hope ON, CAN
>
> scomac@spectranet.ca
>
>
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Mark P. Ludwig
Poultry Research Lab
University of Wisconsin -Madison
608-262-1730 WK
608-846-7125 HM