Farming,
PASTURE SYSTEMS
DR. MARVIN H. HALL
PENN STATE
Developing a pasture system
that utilizes your land resources
and fits in with your total animal,
forage, and crop program is an
important first step in pasture
management
A major goal in pasture man
agement is to provide quality pas
ture for the grazing animals
throughout the grazing season. By
utilizing the various growth pat
terns of the many pasture species
irday, August 14,11
grown in Pennsylvania, the graz
ing season can potentially last
from April to December.
Components Of A Pasture
System
Permanent cool-season pas
ture. Land that is not suitable for
crop production because of poor
soil characteristics or topography.
These sites are often overgrazed
and under fertilized. With proper
management these pastures can
provide significant ampunts of
forage to many dairy and livestock
farms. Kentucky bluegrass, the
species most tolerant to close
grazing, is the cool-season grass
commonly found in permanent
pasture. In addition, more produc
tive forage species such as tall
fescue or reed canarygrass can be
grown on permanent pasture sites,
often with a legume. Other grasses
may also be found in permanent
pastures but they do not persist as
well.
Semi-permanent coot-season
pasture. When properly managed,
most perennial cool-season
legumes and grasses grown for
hay and silage can also be used for
pasture. Often these pastures are
incorporated in the crop rotation
and when grown on good soils and
properly managed, can be very
productive.
Warm-season pasture. Warm
season perennial grasses, includ
ing switchgrass, big bluestem and
Indiangrass, grow well from mid-
June through September, can pro
vide adequate pasture when cool
season pastures are often inade
quate, and are especially suited for
beef cattle.
Annual pastures. Grown in
rotation with other crops, annual
pastures containing brassicas,
small grains, or summer-annual
grasses can provide supplemental
spring, summer, or fall grazing.
(Turn to Pago E 37)
FARMER!
AgCREOf
George Lewis has been working with farmers in
Lancaster County for over 25 years. His experience
includes working with livestock and poultry
operations, along with farm finances and farm
management.
George is also President of Farmers AgCredit
Corp. His field of expertise is agricultural lending,
farm business counseling and management.
Mixing farm skills and lending expertise together,
George provides insight, foresight, and the farm know
how you and your family need to continue in a
positive financial direction. Whatever your financial
needs may be, he will advise you in your family's best
interest - always.
The majority of George's time is spent on the farm
He comes to you to discuss your needs.
A farmer talking with farmers about family farm
finances.
' f
Table 1. Animal units of various species and classes of livi
Livestock
Beef cattle
1000-lb dry cow
1300-lb dry cow
1000-lb lactating cow (Ist 4 months after calving)
1300-lb lactating cow (Ist 4 months after calving)
2000-lb mature bull
550-lb growing-finishing heifer (1.0 Ib/d gain)
550-ib growing-finishing steer (2.0 Ib/d gain)
Sheep
110-lb brood ewe
132-lb brood ewe
154-lb brood ewe
175-lb brood ewe
300-lb mature ram
110- to 132-lb replacement ewe, lambs, and yearlings
220-lb replacement ram, lambs, and yearlings
Dairy*
1000-lb dairy cow (maintenance)
800-lb dairy cow (last 2 months of gestation)
1000-lb dairy cow (last 2 months of gestation)
1300-lb dairy cow (last 2 months of gestation)
1500-lb mature dairy bull
2000-lb mature dairy bull
550-lb growing dairy heifer
•Animal units for Isolating cows are difficult to detei
because of supplemental feeding.
We Are Farmers
Talking With
Farmers About
Farm Finances
FARMERS AgCREOU
9 East Main Street, Lititz, PA 17543 □ 717/626-4721
A subsidiary of Farmers First Bank
'CSI
Animal