Page 19 - MWC 4-21-2022s

The Midwest Cattleman · April 21, 2022 · P19
Land is the common ground what improvements occur.”
on which all other resources Another simple method of
thrive. That’s why monitoring, tracking progress are land-
managing, and maintaining scape photographs called
soil health is key to productiv- photo points. Creating an
ity and, ultimately, profitabili- album of images taken from
ty on the ranch. the same location in different
Speaking at a Cattlemen’s growing seasons across sever-
College session at the recent al years builds a database of
Cattle Industry Convention, information which can be ref-
Hugh Aljoe, director of pro- erenced along with weather
ducer relations for Noble conditions and grazing use to
Research Institute, brought understand how management
to light the importance of is affecting the area.
grazing management to soil A third system is to develop
health. what Aljoe called a diversity
“What we want to do is list. Simply list all the species
make sure we have the foun- of plants, animals and other
dation there, so we can contin- organisms observed both
ually build and grow our oper- above and below the surface
ation for the long term,” Aljoe of the soil.
said. “Raising cattle is one of “Soil health is improving as
the most enjoyable parts of your diversity improves,” Aljoe
being a rancher, but we’ve got said. “We’re trying to manage
to take care of the land, take this together for the benefit
care of our finances, then the of grazing animals, as well as
cattle can better care for us. our wildlife and all the other
As we begin to focus more on organisms that are associated
the land and the soil, the oth- with it. From butterflies, bees
ers tend to come with it.” and birds to earthworms and
When it comes to soil beetles, that’s all part of what
health, it’s important to es- we're trying to positively in-
tablish metrics which can be fluence.”
measured and evaluated over By combining these meth-
time to assess progress. ods and working with soil
Several means of track- health and grazing specialists
ing soil health are available with NRCS and state grazing
through local Natural Re- lands coalitions (GLC), pro-
sources Conservation Service ducers track progress over
(NRCS) offices. This can be a time to better understand
great asset for getting started how grazing management de-
with soil health and a grazing cisions influence soil health.
management plan. Aljoe suggested regener-
For soil testing, Aljoe rec- ative grazing management.
ommended utilizing the “It’s adaptive grazing man-
Haney Test and Phospholipid agement for continual im-
Fatty Acid (PLFA) test. provement of the grazing
“These tests look at the lands.”
total soil nutrients and soil bi- The four grazing manage-
ology,” Aljoe said. “These give ment factors include timing,
you a really good indication of frequency, intensity, and du-
soil information to benchmark ration.
and monitor over time to see Timing is the season in
A Focus on Soil Health
Boosts Bottom Line
By B.J. Eick
which a pasture will be uti- the roots quit growing until
lized, also considering how the leaves recover. At that
it was grazed in previous point, the root and soil activ-
seasons. Ideally, everything ity are on hold and so are the
should fully recover before a soil health benefits.
pasture is grazed again. Duration is how long the
Frequency refers to the pasture will be grazed.
pasture recovery period. “We would like to have
“Recovery is the single most short grazing events,” Aljoe
important variable we have to said. “Typically, a grass plant
manage,” Aljoe said. “We want will want to start regrowing
to make sure that the bulk three to four days after it’s
of the time our pastures are been bitten. We would like to
fully recovered and ready to move the cattle off that pas-
be grazed. We know the more ture before we hit that three-
carbon we can produce above to-four-day period.”
the ground in plant tissue, the Grassland management is
more carbon we can put back key to proving the net carbon
in the soil.” footprint of the beef industry
Intensity is how close to in the ongoing conversation
the ground the grass will be of sustainability. As consum-
grazed. A good rule of thumb er demands evolve, attributes
is take half, leave half. supporting beef’s responsible
If livestock graze more than use of resources shift to the
half the leaf area of the plant,
continued on page 24
TM
Show-Me-Select
Replacement
Heifer Sale
250 Crossbred & Purebred Heifers
May 20, 2022•7:00 P.M.
Joplin Regional Stockyards
I-44 East of Carthage, MO at Exit 22
Video preview and sale may be viewed at www.joplinstockyards.com.
On-line bidding and approval must be arranged in advance along with bank approval.
● To create an account go to www.joplinstockyards click on Live Auction then register and
fill out banking information. At least 2 days prior to sale.
● Any questions and/or approval call 417-548-2333 and ask for Dustin, Misti, or Clay.
Breeds & crosses include: Herefords, Angus, Many are synchronized and AI bred. A few Tier
Gelbvieh, Red Angus, Balancer, SimAngus and Two and Show-Me-Plus heifers are in the
Simmental. offering. See enclosed requirements for SMS
heifer details.
About 40% are black, 30% are black whiteface,
30% are red.
Program Requirements:
 Heifers have met minimum standards for reproductive soundness, pelvic size, body condition and
weight and are free of blemishes.
 Heifers bred to bulls meeting strict calving ease or birth weight EPD requirements.
 A strict immunization program has been followed including official Brucellosis calfhood vaccination.
Heifers are tested and found negative for PI BVD.
 Heifers will calve from late August to November 30 and were preg checked within 30 days of the sale.
2022 Consignors Include:
Aspen Ridge, LLC, Carthage Kunkel Farms, Neosho Nolan Kleiboeker Farm LLC, Wentworth
Mast Farms, Lamar
David & Danise Cummings, Sarcoxie
J & J Farms, Sarcoxie
Robert Miller, Aurora
John Wheeler, Marionville Meadowlyn Farms, Cassville Ronnie & Debbie Choate, Pleasant Hope
Rector Farms, Rogersville
Hunter Lane Cattle Co., Pierce City
Kathy Wheeler, Marionville Fire Sweep Simmentals, Verona
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Eldon Cole: (417) 466-3102
or email colee@missouri.edu
Sponsored by: Missouri “Show-Me-Select” Replacement Heifers, Inc., Division of Animal Sciences, Southwest
Missouri Beef Cattle Improvement Association in cooperation with University of Missouri Extension, College of
Veterinary Medicine, Missouri Cattlemen's Association and Missouri Department of Agriculture.
For more information, please visit:
https://extension.missouri.edu/programs/show-me-select-replacement-heifer-program