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New Grazing Publication Ad



SANET - here's a plug for our new publication...
Helene

October 29, 1996

New study finds farmers optimistic about Minnesota's 
dairy industry

Some Minnesota farmers who graze their dairy 
herds are optimistic about the future of the state's 
dairy industry, according to a new study of 29 
grazing operations.

You can find the study results in a new publication, 
"Knee Deep in Grass:  A survey of twenty-nine 
grazing operations in Minnesota."  

Management intensive grazing (MIG) techniques are 
being rapidly adopted in parts of Minnesota.  The 
report summarizes in-person interviews conducted in 
1994 with 29 Minnesota dairy farm families using MIG 
practices.  The farms were typical Midwestern dairy 
farms; almost all were single family operations 
averaging 58 cows and approximately 300 acres of land.

The families said their quality of life improved 
after adopting MIG since they shifted from 
repetitious tasks such as baling hay and repairing 
equipment to duties like pasture and business 
management.  And graziers with seasonally freshened
dairy herds reported even more time savings, 
especially during the dry period.

Profits on farms using MIG improved since farms 
have drastically reduced input purchases such as feed 
and fuel. Many people support the idea that MIG can 
slow the exodus of Minnesota dairy farms and reduce 
further rural degradation.  MIG helps maintain 
profits on small to mid-size family dairies, preserves
existing community jobs and encourages farm children 
to continue farming.

The report was published by the Minnesota 
Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA) and the 
Minnesota Extension Service.  Authors are Brian 
Loeffler, Helene Murray, Dennis Johnson, and Earl 
Fuller. 

The publication is available from county extension 
offices in Minnesota.  Or, you can place an order 
with your credit card by phone or by check or 
credit card by contacting:  
      Minnesota Extension Service Distribution Center
      University of Minnesota
      1420 Eckles Avenue
      St. Paul, MN  55108-6069
      (612) 624-4900 or 1-800-876-8636.  

The cost is $5 + shipping charges ($2.00 per copy, 
$3.50 for 2-3 copies - call for information about 
shipping charges for additional copies) and 7 percent 
sales tax for Minnesota residents.

For more information, contact Dennis Johnson, West 
Central Experiment Station, State Hwy. 329, Morris, 
MN, 56267, (320) 589-1711. Email: 
dairydgj@caa.mrs.umn.edu;  or Helene Murray, address 
listed at the end of this message.


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Helene Murray
Coordinator and Assistant Professor
Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture
411 Borlaug Hall
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN  55108

phone:  612/625-0220
fax:  612/625-1268
email:  murra021@maroon.tc.umn.edu
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