[Carpenter] Patch burn grazing

[John Murphy]

Hi Kevin,

I have attached a jobsheet on Patch Burn Grazing (PBG) for an overview and ideas for setting up a system. Some thoughts I have about grazing and your place,(of course, it is YOUR place and we can line out what you want):

1) PBG differs greatly from "management intensive grazing" (MIG).  MIG emphasizes uniformity of forages, often to the detriment of wildlife. MIG is anti broadleaves (unless it's red clover) and heavy on grass production. PBG is using fire + grazing to enhance broadleaf structure, yet provide forage. Realizing that burning alone, or grazing alone often doesn't provide the maximum diversity, many folks are trying both, to mimic historic events.

2)  Most of the literature on PBG deals with WSG, very little on CSG. The burning they promote is to enhance grasses so that cattle take it back down. Personally, I would like to see your farm after a fire to HURT the fescue, then if necessary, graze any CSG re-growth in the following fall. PBG may work idelly if we get a native grass base to work from.

We can visit in greater detail on Tues when we meet.

Thanks,
John

John Murphy
Private Land Conservationist
Adair, Schuyler, Putnam, & Sullivan Counties
2410 South Franklin
Kirksville, MO 63501
Office (660)665-3274
Cell     (660)651-0644

>>> "Kevin Carpenter" <kevinc at mysticplains.org> 7/19/2008 9:36 PM >>>
John?

Happen to have any good references on Patch Burn grazing?

It is my understanding that light grazing is viewed as good for the
prairie - I'm trying to balance that with what I've read on grass feeding
cattle.  In particular, the use of rotational grazing, ideally with a
daily rotation.  Suspect that is similar to the intensive managed grazing
I heard you make mention off on our walk in December.  Essentially, the
goal I've read about is to get the herd to eat everything off a small
parcel, and move then to new grass every day.  Of course, the parcel sizes
need to match the nutritional needs of the cattle.   The key concept is
not to allow them to only eat their favorite grasses and ignore other
grasses - since that favors the less liked forage. Doing such a rotation
is claimed to have several benefits, including reduced parasites since no
one field is grazed often, more even manure distribution, etc. 
Temporarily electric fencing is used to subdivide main fields into daily
pastures.

Thoughts?  Hints?  Books to read?  Weblinks to visit?

Cheers!

Kevin


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