Planning

Last week I introduced you to a practice that increases forage and soil’s water-holding capacity while also doing a great job of sequestering carbon. Spreading compost is so good at carbon sequestration that, if we were to implement it across our grasslands, we could actually pull enough CO2 from the atmosphere that we could begin […]

If you’re not facing drought, you’re likely facing higher prices for hay and maybe even reduced hay availability thanks to the rising cost of fertilizer. Either way, you’re looking at ways to make sure you have enough feed for your stock while maintaining soil health and good cover. That’s what a drought plan is all […]

This piece is part of our discussion of moving toward a better life with grazing. Last week, Troy Bishopp share how he’s creating a more fulfilling life by building in time in his grazing management for family, friends and fun. This week, John Marble provides another perspective. Several decades back (well shoot, let’s be honest […]

This week, Victor Shelton has answers to the most asked questions for winter graziers. Thanks, Victor! What is the difference between a frost and a freeze? When water vapor condenses and freezes without first becoming dew, a thin layer of ice crystals form – this is frost.  It generally has to be below 36 degrees […]

We began using MG way back in the early 90′s during the winter with stockpiled fescue on rented farms. Each year we came to trust more and more what we were doing until we eventually sold all of our hay equipment – one of the best decision we’ve ever made. It was the key to […]

Here in Indiana, the rains are finally replenishing reserves in most areas. Though a bit late for some things, it is still a boost for forages that have been stockpiled and they have leaped in compensatory growth! But sooner or later, it’s going to snow, and everything will quit growing. So, it’s time to be […]

While the grasshopper is enjoying the summer, the ant is always getting ready for the winter. Typically graziers and all producers are the ants, working away to make sure livestock and their communities will have food for the whole year. Still, there’s no reason that the life of an ant can’t be made a little easier and more profitable. This video describes how stockpiling and then strip grazing through the winter can save you time and money while improving your pastures.

This is great info for those folks on irrigated pasture or those in areas of decent precipitation. For those of you working in the arid west and parts of Texas, see if this gives you ideas for how to manage your drier forages.

Free for the taking. Free lunch. Absolutely no cost. Something for nothing. Don’t you love it when you can get something for free? Input costs keep rising. Seed, fertilizer, pesticides, fuel, hay, supplements, trucking – everything seems to get more expensive. But miraculously, the most important input is still free. That input is sunlight. Grassland […]

Thanks to Krista Ehlert, Assistant Professor and South Dakota State University Extension Range Specialist, and Jameson Brennan for this article! Like many of us Krista Ehlert has a love hate relationship with math. She says, “Growing up, I remember asking the question, “Why do we need to learn this?” The “this” being math, and I […]

It’s that time of year again! Grass Whisperer Troy Bishopp has updated the grazing charts and they’re ready for you to download. Troy developed these grazing charts together while working with a group of farmers and graziers. They looked at examples from noted, successful graziers like Jim Gerrish and Greg Judy. They talked about their […]

ALERT: It’s science time again and we’re going to show you what you need to know to use your livestock to manage your pasture solar collectors so they’re always catching the maximum amount of sunlight.

In preparation for the 2021 grazing season, let’s go over a little science about how your pasture plants grow. It’s something every grazier should know and we’ve added some ideas about how you can use this information to get more out of your grazing program.

In this 15:39 video, Jim Gerrish breaks grazing down to the very basics to help us focus on the principles behind what we do, no matter the environment we live and work. Starting With Four Basic Ingredients We all work with the same four ingredients: • CO2 • Solar energy • Water • Soil minerals […]

Good grazing provides so many ecosystem services, from healthy soil to clean water to important wildlife habitat. Here’s a program that can cover costs of implementing practices that improve conservation and pay you for your ongoing efforts.