Page 21 - MWC 4-23-20s

Twelve Steps to Amazing Grazing

The Midwest Cattleman · April 23, 2020 · P21

By John Phipps
One day last winter as we get in a drought we hold onto Step 2. Surround yourself pants with questions. Experi-
drove to the American Forage the animals, buy more hay, with like-minded graziers. enced Adaptive Graziers are
and Grasslands Council An- and allow the pastures to get After you decide to embark very likely to attend these ed-
nual Conference, we talked at overgrazed. on this endless journey to ucational events and you will
length about why more peo- The truth is that if you Amazing Grazing, you need find them amazingly open
ple don’t adopt better graz- spend a lot of time feeding to have a support network. with sharing their ideas and
ing management techniques. hay in winter, making hay in We need to keep our cur- practices.
We realized it might be be- summer, and worrying about rent friends but understand Another issue with the way
cause we have been practic- running out of grass during there will be peer pressure many of us were raised is that
ing Adaptive Grazing Man- droughts, there is a better to go back to the old ways of we were always in a compet-
agement for so long, we forget way. Your farm is an ecosys- doing things. Obviously, it is itive environment. Compe-
how we got started. Advanced tem that includes you, the mentally easier to turn on a tition can be a good thing as
graziers sometimes turn off animals, the forages, the soil, tractor, spear a bale of hay long as we have the correct
novices because what seems and the water cycle and a mil- and deliver it to a hay ring, target in mind. Learning
obvious to the experienced is lion other connections. Once than to have cows strip graz- from each other about prac-
a brand-new concept to folks you see it as one system, you ing behind a single strand of tices that improve our land
just getting started. It is clear, have a chance to observe and polywire. You may become and profit margins should be
however, that more and more then guide the system in a di- known among your peers as our focus instead of bragging
farmers are interested in rection that benefits your pro- “that loco guy that spends all about weaning weights at the
starting the pursuit of “Amaz- duction and personal goals. winter moving that silly little coffee shop.
ing Grazing”. We get a lot of Do you want to shorten string”. Adaptive graziers tend to
questions about how to get the hay feeding season, grow The best way to succeed be open and sharing, and ap-
from a traditionally managed more forage with less inputs, is to make a new peer group proach life more as a collabo-
farm to a place where you can and improve your lifestyle? that has similar goals to your rative journey than as a com-
see “Amazing Grazing” in ac- All that is possible, but Adap- own. Finding them is easy; petitive one. As you develop
tion. It doesn’t happen quick- tive Grazing Management just attend an Amazing Graz- and grow your skills you will
ly but changing your man- can only work if you admit you ing Workshop or other edu- see opportunities to host edu-
agement approach can turn a don’t understand your sys- cational event and engage
system around and begin the tem but are willing to spend the more experienced partici- continued on page 29
soil health building process. the time and energy trying to
Here is a twelve-step plan figure it out. The truth is no
that can help you along the one really understands these Show-Me-Select
journey. systems, but there are many Replacement
of us that
have decid- Heifer Sale
ed to devote
a lifetime to 235 Crossbred & Purebred Heifers
observing Friday, May 15, 2020•7:00 P.M.
all parts
of the sys- Joplin Regional Stockyards

tem, mak- I-44 East of Carthage, MO at Exit 22
ing man-
agement Video preview and sale may be viewed at www.joplinstockyards.com and DVAuction,
Inc on-line bidding must be arranged 2 days in advanced along with bank approval.
decisions,
critically ● To create an account go to www.joplinstockyards click on Live Auction then register
evaluating and fill out banking information. At least 2 days prior to sale.

results, and ● Any questions and/or approval call 417-548-2333 and ask for Dustin, Misti, or Clay.
Step 1. Decide you are adapting our management to Breeds & crosses include: Herefords, Angus, Many are synchronized and AI bred. A few Tier

ready to become a criti- improve those outcomes. Gelbvieh, Red Angus, Balancer and SimAngus. Two and Show-Me-Plus heifers are in the
cal thinker and to manage One key thing to be aware About 50% are black or black whiteface; 25% are offering.
your farm using ecological of is that Adaptive Grazing black and 25% red. A few have Brangus in their See enclosed requirements for SMS heifer details.
principles. Management means you will background
Most of us have grown up spend more time on your feet Program Requirements:
with a production system that and less time on equipment. ◊ Heifers have met minimum standards for reproductive soundness, pelvic size, body
uses a lot of hay and other pur- While new remote sensing condition and weight and are free of blemishes.
◊ Heifers bred to bulls meeting strict calving ease or birth weight EPD requirements.
chased feeds, is based on con- technologies are being devel- ◊ A strict immunization program has been followed including official Brucellosis calfhood
tinuous or very lax rotational oped, there is no substitute vaccination. Heifers are tested and found negative for PI BVD.
grazing, and that has a focus for walking pasture, feeling it ◊ Heifers will calve from late August to November 30 and were preg checked within 30 days
on a single part of the system, under your feet, and spending of the sale.
the animal. We have been time putting up polywire and FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Eldon Cole: (417) 466-3102 or 466-3386

taught a lot about nutrition, closely observing your cows. colee@missouri.edu Website: http://www.swmobcia.com/
reproduction, and genetics, as The exercise you get from
well as showing animals, but this activity is well balanced 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
relatively little about manag- and low impact and can real- Veterinary Medicine, Missouri Cattlemen's Association and Missouri Department of Agriculture.
ing the complex and dynamic ly improve your health and Please note this sale date is tentative based on the Covid-19 situation and could change. For up-to-date
pasture ecosystem. When we well-being. information, please visit: https://extension2.missouri.edu/programs/show-me-select-replacement-heifer-program