From Workshop To Pasture Walk, Graziers Gain Practical Tips

Framed by participants, grazing specialist Howard Moechnig, left, shares initial pasture observations with Martin and Loretta Jaus, who rotationally graze Holstein crosses on their organic dairy near Gibbon. This paddock shows stress after four years of droughty conditions, including minor patchiness that could give weeds a foothold. But the paddock was in keeping with what Moechnig has seen at other farms in the area, he says.

Loretta Jaus, whose organic dairy farm is the site of the afternoon’s pasture walk, and Richard Ness, of The Land Stewardship Project, the workshop sponsor, set the tone for a fun day as they greet participants.

Moechnig discusses paddock configurations, placing special emphasis on the location of lanes for livestock movement and paddock shape. He recommends paddocks be as square as possible to promote uniform grazing, rather than wedge-shaped as shown in the photo.

The Jaus's pond provides a serene and tranquil setting for the participants to share lunch and get to know each other before setting off to paddocks.

The first paddock, still recovering from drought effects, sports an abundance of Canada thistle. Moechnig recommends using a sickle mower and mowing repeatedly to control it.

As the group moves to the second paddock, Moechnig shows how to identify different grasses and legumes, including white and red clover, Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass and fescue.

What fun would any class be if the teacher didn't throw in a pop quiz? As the group finishes up in this paddock, Moechnig asks participants to identify plants. This group scores an A+!

In the third and final paddock, the grazing expert notes how lush it is in comparison to the first paddock the group saw. "There's a lot more stand in this stand!" Moechnig quips.

The third paddock's greater post-drought vigor was attributed to interseeding – it's a combination of meadow fescue, timothy and bromegrass, says Martin Jaus. That makes it harder for dandelions and Kentucky bluegrass to take hold, Moechnig notes.

Shortly after the group enters the paddock, a rogue herd of heifers breaks through the fence and dives into the legume-rich forage on the other side. "Heifers," jokes one member of the group. "They're just like teenagers."