Kentucky's cattle producers are benefiting from a groundbreaking research project that aims to transform the way winter feeding is conducted. Greg Halich, an agricultural economics professor at the University of Kentucky, is spearheading a six-state, multi-year bale-grazing study with the support of a $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Innovation Grant program.
Traditionally, winter feeding using sacrifice lots, feeding pads, and barns has proven to be labor-intensive and inefficient. Bale grazing, a rotational grazing method involving the strategic placement of round bales directly on pastures, offers a promising alternative. Through this approach, nutrients from the hay are recycled back into the land, promoting future forage growth.
To execute the study, producers set up temporary electric fencing to control cattle access to the bales. With each fence relocation, the cattle move to a fresh area with new bales, facilitating the deposition of nutrients precisely where they are needed. This process not only simplifies winter feeding but also minimizes mud-related challenges faced in conventional feeding methods, reducing energy expenditure for cattle and maintaining their body condition.
Collaborating with farmers in Anderson and Shelby counties, the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment specialists are collecting soil and forage data over the next three years to evaluate the long-term impact of bale grazing on pasture fertility and soil biology. The participating farmers are already witnessing positive outcomes, such as enhanced soil moisture retention and grass quality.
The study's results will not only inform revisions to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program protocols but also serve as demonstration farms for other cattle producers. Halich emphasizes that experiencing bale grazing firsthand on operational farms and witnessing its tangible benefits is key to driving adoption and sparking real change within the agricultural community.
While bale grazing requires good management practices, reasonable stocking rates, and cattle trained to respect electric fencing, the rewards are substantial. By adopting this innovative approach, farmers can achieve lush, high-fertility pastures, reduce commercial fertilizer expenses, lower machinery and labor costs, and mitigate health issues during winter feeding.
The bale-grazing study, supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, is poised to revolutionize winter cattle feeding practices and promote sustainable and efficient livestock management techniques in Kentucky and beyond.
Photo Credit: istock-emholk
Categories: Kentucky, Livestock