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Bulletin summarizes study of management intensive grazing
I thought some of the people on the alt.sustainable.agriculture news group
would like to know about a new report on a study conducted of Minnesota
dairy farmers using management intensive grazing. A promotional release
about the report and how to get it follows.--Sam Brungardt, Minnesota
Extension Service.
DAIRY FARMERS FIND BENEFITS IN MANAGEMENT INTENSIVE GRAZING
Some Minnesota farmers who graze their herds report their quality of
life has improved and their profits have increased, according to a new
study.
Results of the study are in a new Minnesota Extension Service
publication, "Knee Deep in Grass."
Management intensive grazing (MIG) techniques rapidly are being
adopted in parts of Minnesota. "Knee Deep in Grass" summarizes
interviews conducted in 1994 with 29 Minnesota farm families using MIG.
The farms were typical midwestern dairy farms; almost all were
single-family operations averaging 58 cows and approximately 300 acres.
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 such as pasture and business management.
Graziers with seasonally freshened herds reported even more time savings,
especially during the dry period.
Profits on farms using MIG improved, since the farms drastically
reduced purchases of inputs, such as feed and fuel.
Although Holsteins comprised most of the cows in the operations
studied, there was a trend toward mixed breeds and crosses of Holstein
with Angus, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Dutch Belted and Milking Shorthorn.
"Knee Deep in Grass" can be obtained from county offices of the
Minnesota Extension Service. Or, you can place a credit card order for
the 30-page bulletin by calling the MES Distribution Center (800/876-8636
or 612/624-4900) and asking for item number BU-6693-EM1. The bulletin
costs $5 plus $2 shipping and 35 cents sales tax (Minnesota orders only).