Presentation made at the arkansas grazing lands coalition conference keywords. It defines mig, explains and demonstrates how to calculate grazing period, rest period, and. Management intensive grazing mig is a system of grazing where the management is intensive, but the grazing is not. Most folks dont fully understand what the word intensive refers to when used with grazing. Nov 29, 2017 at green pastures farm, weve practiced managementintensive grazing also called highdensity, or mob grazing for almost a decade, as a part of our holistic grazing plan. Does managementintensive grazing grow more, better quality. Management intensive grazing or mig is the name for a variety of methods of rotating livestock on separate patches of grass also known as paddocks. The goal of managementintensive grazing mig systems is to use the best part of all plants, not just the most palatable plants.
Its not intensive labor or intensive animal movement. Animals are used as tools to influence change or to maintain diversity for the. Animals are used as tools to influence change or to maintain diversity for the betterment of that ecosystem, and in order to use those. Grazing project to study socioeconomic viability of mig. How to manage pastures using rotational or management. Setting up a management intensive grazing system pdf, 1 mb. Productivity of pastures in much of the upper midwest is limited to april through october, so promoting high quality forage production during the grazing season and for winter storage is critical to. In more recent years, planned grazing is another synonym. Management intensive grazing stockman grass farmer. Management intensive grazing mig from conventional yearround confinement management or non intensive pasture management.
Management intensive grazing in indiana ay328 4 getting started w elcome to management intensive grazing. Layout and design of grazing systems university of missouri. Typically, a sixinch residual was left after grazing. A farmscale approach to burning and grazing in bringing these principles together, the guidelines provide an integrated template for farmscale grazing and burning management planning, based on a fouryear rotation system. At green pastures farm, weve practiced managementintensive grazing also called highdensity, or mob grazing for almost a decade, as a part of our holistic grazing plan. Managementintensive grazing in indiana ay328 4 getting started w elcome to managementintensive grazing. Grazing periods and move dates are based on degree of utilization rather than a preset number of days. There are two basic approaches to subdividing pastures for mig fixed or flexible designs. Joel salatin of polyface farms famously implements mig with his cattle. He used management intensive grazing mig with pastures divided.
An alternative to confin ed feeding dairy farming is management intensive grazing mig, a grass based system relying on rotational grazing for most of the herds dietary requirements. What is managementintensive grazing mig and what can it do. This might sound kind of boring but i promise its pretty cool. In management intensive grazing, the grassroots of grass farming, he uses vivid images and detailed explanations to take graziers stepbystep through the mig system. Managementintensive grazing mig is the movement of grazing animals through a series of paddocks for brief periods of time so that the forages are allowed periods of regrowth to restore reserves and in so doing, the animals are provided with high quality feed if returned at the proper time. Oct 14, 20 one such method is management intensive grazing. These pasture systems and forages are a part of sustainable agricultural systems. I will still use much of the information in this book but also look at greg judy. Managementintensive grazing without question is a lifesaver, and in our case it was the answer to problems that at the time we believed to be bigger than all of us.
Management intensive grazing hoof hearted farm llc. Gerrish coined the phrase management intensive grazing mig, putting the emphasis on management of the growth of the grass. A growing number of ranchers are using rotational grazing to get more production from pastures. Although milk yields are often lower in rotational systems, net farm income per cow is often greater as compared to confinement operations. Managementintensive grazing is a lifesaver on pasture. Fencing systems for intensive grazing management 10 october 2009 making the most of your forage with rotational grazing, will allow stocking rates to be increased resulting in increased beef production per acre, write extension officers, l. University of missouri, forage systems research center, 21262 genoa road, linneus, mo, 660 89551221.
Before he turned to mob grazing, judy managed three herds of cattle on separate farms. Fencing systems for intensive grazing management the cattle. Im just joking about just hanging around and this is the part of the story that explains why mig is a lifesaver as it may have saved mine. Managementintensive grazing mig allows better use of grazed forage crops with shortduration grazing in small paddocks and with this study. True and falseas with confinement herds, production per cow is important, but more important for grazing herds success is lowering the cost of production per hundredweight. It defines mig, explains and demonstrates how to calculate grazing period, rest period, and stock density, and summarizes two kerr center. Page 2 management intensive grazing resources 665063402, 785 5325830. Rotational grazing systems provide producers with the ability to match available forage to daily livestock forage demand, resulting in increased productivity and the maintenance of resilient pastures. The use and performance of management intensive rotational grazing among wisconsin dairy farms in the 1990s research reports no.
Judy says he made the switch because with the mig system he didnt feel. The person who coined the phrase managementintensive grazing, jim gerrish, answers that question in the new book managementintensive grazing, the grassroots of grass farming. This approach to farming is called managementintensive grazing mig, and at rock creek farm, a fiftyacre plot at the kerr center for sustainable. Grazing and burning guidelines biodiversity advisor. Advantages of rotational grazing premier1supplies sheep. The animals are merely harvesters, like lawnmowers. The projects goal is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the benefits of managementintensive grazing mig across different regions. Soil health is affected by managementintensive grazing mig 15. In managementintensive grazing, the grassroots of grass farming, he uses vivid images and detailed explanations to take graziers stepbystep through the mig system.
Livestock but are removed before too much leaf area is consumed. Management intensive grazing this approach emphasizes management rather than the system or its components. When practicing mig, the burden of care and animal needs falls directly on the rancher. Dairy farm business summary, intensive grazing farms, new.
This is due to the additional costs associated with herd health and purchased feeds are greatly reduced in management intensive rotational grazing systems. Each paddock must provide all the needs of the livestock, such as food, water and sometimes shade and shelter. Management intensive grazing mig from conventional yearround confinement management or nonintensive pasture management. Managementintensive rotational grazing enhances forage. A flexible approach to rotational grazing management whereby animal nutrient demand through the grazing season is balanced with forage supply and available forage is allocated based on animal requirements. Close to 90% of the pastures are under continuous grazing, with more than 50% of the forage production being underutilized. Using vivid images and detailed explanations, gerrish takes graziers step by step through the mig system. Grazing periods and move dates are based on degree of utilization rather than a. Rotational grazing is often part of mig and provides the ability to control the timing and intensity of the livestocks grazing activity. When it comes to designing managementintensive grazing mig systems, every farm or ranch is different.
The response of vegetation, livestock and ecosystems to. If a farmer divided his land into cattle supplied with this. Optimizing pasture management for cowcalf production canadian. Controlled grazing also known as rotational or management intensive grazing is the process of moving a herd of livestock from one pasture to. Mirg management intensive rotational grazing acronymattic. Aug, 2014 you have heard me talk a lot about management intensive grazing or mig, as we call it. Managementintensive grazing chelsea green publishing. However, managementintensive grazing mig takes this.
Managementintensive grazing systems, of which there are many variations, can increase the yield of animal products per acre and, in most cases, net profit per farm. The dairy perspective of managementintensive grazing 49. The goal of management intensive grazing mig systems is to use the best part of all plants, not just the most palatable plants. Mig is also referred to as intensive grazing, rotational grazing, or management intensive rotational grazing mirg nott 2003. Sep 27, 2015 mig is a way of understanding forage growth, relating the amount of pasture to animal requirements, allocating feed, and using sheep to manage forage efficiently and effectively. Management intensive grazing also known as rotational grazing management is a system where grazing is managed for both the benefit of the livestock and forage. Approximately 80% of the pastures in mississippi ms suffer from poor and uneven fertility coupled with serious weed management.
So come to a managementintensive grazing school where you can learn about the fundamentals of a mig systems and. When it comes to designing management intensive grazing mig systems, every farm or ranch is different. Advantages of rotational grazing premier1supplies sheep guide. A basic system may have 4 or 5 pastures while a more management. This is a report on the kerr centers experience with management intensive grazing mig. Gerrish coined the phrase managementintensive grazing mig, putting the. Every producer has a different set of goals, challenges and resources to consider. A method of utilizing the forage resource to maximize return, while maintaining long term productivity of the resource base aims at managing the soil, water, plants and animals together as a whole in a systems approach you the manager are in control of time and space. Managementintensive grazing miggrazing system beef. He used managementintensive grazing mig with pastures divided.
Management intensive grazing this is a report on the kerr centers experience with management intensive grazing mig. Apr 02, 2019 management intensive grazing mig is a system of grazing where the management is intensive, but the grazing is not. Mig integrates grazing management parameters, including stocking density, stocking rate, stocking period, and rest period, into operational planning and application. In order to understand mob grazing, or planned highdensity grazing as judy also calls the technique, you need to understand where the missouri grazier started and how he now operates. Understanding the intensive in intensive grazing unl beef. Gerrish takes graziers step by step through the mig system. The manual also introduces readers to the properties of soils, the fundamentals of plant growth and animal nutrition and the economics of beef and dairy production based on grazing as the primary source of forage.
This manual will help improve your understanding of basic grazing concepts. Managed grazing systems and fencing for distribution of. Mig was coined by jim gerrish, a wellrespected grazing consultant for livestock. Hw missouri rancher greg judy spent 14 years using management intensive grazing mig on his ranch but four years ago he made the switch to mob or high stock density grazing. Mig system with 12 paddocks on 17 acres increased with carrying capacity from 20 cows with calves to 26 cows with calves. Mig is a method of animal husbandry that primarily applies to care and feeding of ruminant animals with multiple stomachs that chew cud animals. It defines mig, explains and demonstrates how to calculate grazing period, rest period, and stock density, and summarizes two kerr center projects involving mig. Jim gerrish discusses how implementing the correct grazing system and properly managing solar energy, water and. What is managementintensive grazing mig and what can it. This allows the manager to control grazing and control access to forage to fit the nutritional needs of the class of livestock e.
Managed grazing systems and fencing for distribution of beef. Management intensive grazing systems, of which there are many variations, can increase the yield of animal products per acre and, in most cases, net profit per farm. The emphasis in mig is on the intensity of management not the intensity of grazing and. To produce good livestock feed from pasture, we must manage our pastures differently. Try searching for these books at online bookstores, libraries. The approach often produces lower outputs than more intensive animal. Relatively long rest periods follow short grazing periods. Like holistic managementanother adaptive grazing managment approachit considers. Planning fencing systems for intensive grazing management.
Rotational shortduration or management intensive grazing mig has become well recognized as a way to increase cattle performance, pasture health and productivity. Management intensive grazing mig mimics the native grazing ecosystem in which regularly moving large herbivores allows sufficient time for grazed grass to regrow. A practical guide to yeararound grazingby jim gerrish what. Managementintensive rotational grazing is used by many farmers seeking to balance profitability, environmental stewardship, and quality of life. Management intensive rotational grazing will be emphasized because it offers a number of advantages over both continuous grazing and less intensive rotational systems. Mig is a systemsbased approach to grazing land utilization which emphasizes the managers understanding of the plantsoilanimalclimate interface as the basis for management decision. Grazing systems management is a combination of art and science. Mig takes into consideration not just the animals, but the whole system. Grazing management is one of several tools available to land managers to manipulate vegetation, livestock performance and ecosystem processes. Managementintensive grazing mig is one of those approaches. The feasibility and profitability of managementintensive grazing mig in atlantic canada was studied. Does managementintensive grazing grow more, better. Rotational grazing nevada county resource conservation district. Daily intake of forage and supplemental feed is more efficiently rationed.
How you manage the grazing on your place will depend a lot upon your soils and climate, topography and types of pasture, and your goals. Oct 14, 2015 building better pastures series, video 1. This publication discusses how grazing management can improve water quality. Managementintensive grazing in indiana purdue extension. Pdf productivity of grazing holstein cows in atlantic canada. A few of these include rotational grazing, managed grazing, intensive grazing, rational grazing, controlled grazing, and rotational stocking. You have heard me talk a lot about management intensive grazingor mig, as we call it. Planning fencing systems for intensive grazing management l. These include more stable production during poor growing conditions especially drought, greater yield potential, higher quality forage available. Management intensive rotational grazing mirg the 25 cowcalf pairs from the continuous grazing treatment grazed a 1. Management intensive grazing the grassroots of grass farming. Attendance at a grazing school is one requirement to be eligible for cost share programs. Pdf managementintensive grazing affects soil health. In addition to the profits to your pocket book and the environment, you may be eligible to receive cost share to help establish your mig system.
One of the more common approachesparadigms is termed management intensive grazing mig. However, mig is a preferred description because it places emphasis on the management aspects of improved grazing systems. Management intensive rotational grazing involves a higher level of management with greater paddock numbers, shorter grazing periods, and longer rest periods. Holistic management instructor explains the difference between managementintensive grazing and mob grazing. Management intensive grazing mig for sheep 8 youtube. Intensive grazing on irrigated pastures adapted from attras new publication, why intensive grazing on irrigated pastures. Mob grazing cattle made simple homesteading and livestock. Soil health is affected by management intensive grazing mig 15.
Mig is a way of understanding forage growth, relating the amount of pasture to animal requirements, allocating feed, and using sheep to manage forage efficiently and effectively. Management intensive grazing sustainable agriculture at uga. Previous research has measured high levels of nitrate leaching under mig, citing the liquid nature and high nitrogen n content of urine. County soil survey books are resources that describe a. This management strategy entails livestock grazing in relatively small paddocks at high densities but for short durations. In agriculture, rotational grazing, as opposed to continuous grazing, describes many systems of pasturing, whereby livestock are moved to portions of the pasture, called paddocks, while the other portions rest.
The optimum mig system provides the following major advantages. The information here should be applicable to any hoosier grazier of any livestock species. Managementintensive grazing mig on irrigated, perennial pastures has steadily increased in the western. Map showing 1961 1990 average annual precipitation from. The person who coined the phrase managementintensive grazing, jim gerrish, answers that. Written for those new to mig grazing, gerrishs insights and personal experience can help experienced graziers fine tune their grazing operations for added income. In a management intensive rotational grazing system, large. The research project is designed to determine whether mig is a winwin solution for both ranchers and society, to better understand factors that affect adoption decisions and the proper incentives government. Gerrish coined the phrase managementintensive grazing mig, putting the emphasis on management of the growth of the grass. Management intensive grazingthe grass roots of grass farmingby jim gerrishthe person who coined the phrase management intensive grazing, jim gerris. Management intensive grazing mig is the movement of grazing animals through a series of paddocks for brief periods of time so that the forages are allowed periods of regrowth to restore reserves and in so doing, the animals are provided with high quality feed if returned at the proper time. Management cant happen unless there is a goal or objective.
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