[Carpenter] Patch burn grazing

[Kevin Carpenter]

Thanks John!

Printing the article now and will read during our pediatrician 
appointment this morning.

Please think of my land as OUR place, with OUR defined as mine, MPFs, 
MDC support of the MPF goals, the Prairie Chickens (and all other 
wildlife that benefits from similar habitat) and some cows that Donnie 
and I own.  How many cows will be defined by whats best for the Prairie 
and habitat.  That said, I believe the cows can make a very positive 
impact in many ways (from cracking soil that might be crusted over,  
fertilizer distribution, etc.) - not to mention providing some income 
and land oversight (Thanks Donnie!) to help fund the rest.

I view CSGs poorly - at best a benefit for feeding the cattle in the 
early spring and late fall.  Almost a necessary evil.

Kevin

John Murphy wrote:
> 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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