Graziers Learn ‘Maximum Management ’
(Continued from Page 16)
Besides the Ayrshires, Strite’s
crossbreeding program includes Hol
steins, Normandes and Dutch Belt
cattle. The “rainbow herd” also in
cludes New Zealand genetics and even
Guernsey and Jersey cattle, besides
recently-purchased Linebacks.
In addition, “we decided to raise bull
calves after two calves out of twenty
were heifers last year.”
Polywire and stakes allow them to
put their fence virtually anywhere.
Barrel feeders feed whole milk to the
calves.
The Calf-Mobile
Once the calves are big enough to go
out on a pasture, they are introduced to
the “calf-mobile.”
Inspired by the “chicken-mobile,”
this setup, SO feet square, is constructed
of two-by-fours and 15-gallon barrels.
The boards are spliced and bolted to
the barrel, then the fence is pulled along
on barrels twice a day. Ropes hook to
the corners, middle, and back in four
places to allow movement in all direc
tions.
“The calves line up at the front and
walk along because they know they’re
moving on to fresh grass and grain,” ex
plained Strite. A lead wire attached to
the fence makes the polywire hot and
keeps the calves in check. “It’s all very
portable,” he said.
Also in Strite’s pasture is a solar
powered water system. Working with
the Natural Resource Conservation Ser
vice, the Strites put in two 75-watt
panels to pump water into a main
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3,600-gallon tank, which flows to other
tanks on the property. Although the
system is ideal during long sunny days,
Strite is finding it difficulty to keep the
batteries charged during cloudy days.
To take care of mineral needs, barrels
of salt and kelp are loaded on a skid and
moved from paddock to paddock.
A steel-reinforced concrete bridge,
eight feet wide, constitutes a stream
crossing for the cattle and Strite’s small
tractor.
When the endophyte-free fescue went
into head in Strite’s pasture, he tried
clipping six inches off. The cows, in
stead of avoiding it as they would do if
it were standing, ate the fescue, and
Strite could save on baling.
A four-foot-high chicken-mobile,
made from an old frame from a manure
spreader, also has a home on the farm.
Strite’s sons are in charge of selling the
eggs.
Laneway construction consists of
geo-textile fabric with a layer of stones
or lime, spread with a manure spreader,
over top. Shingle tabs are ideal, he said,
but are also hard to purchase because of
high demand.
Strite can irrigate all 100 acres of
grass.
The Strites milk 90 cows and work
two farms with a total of 300 acres. Ap
proximately 170 of the acres are in
grass, with the rest in woods.
Dave Forgey milks 130 New Zealand
Holstein-Friesan crossbred cattle on his
seasonal grazing operation in Logan
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sport, Ind. An experienced grazier, For
gey’s land has been in grass for 10 years.
After hearing about rotational graz
ing, his interest was piqued and he went
on to learn about putting the land into
grass. He attributes grass farming as the
factor that saved his operation from
debt and kept Forgey in the dairy busi
ness.
“We have seen a dramatic change
since we’ve converted to seasonal pro
duction,” he said as he pointed out the
decrease in debt ratio from conventi
onal to grazing production.
“This kind of a system, if you’ve been
at it at all, takes a mindset change. It
can’t be done from the seat of a tractor
or from the office,” he said.
Watching costs is key, emphasized
Forgey. “You need to know the cost of
production to realize the advantages of
grazing. Cost control is the easiest way
to profit.
“Get out of the old mode of spending
money you don’t have to,” he said.
“Question every expense; make sure
it’s a justifiable cost. Most of our inputs
are lime and seed. Beyond that there’s
not much added to the farm.
“People are willing to look at new
technology rather than a new system,’’
he said. “Step outside the box. Put
profit per unit over production per
unit.”
Also look at environmental impact,
he said. Animal wastes are spread
evenly and held in place with growing
forages for improved water quality.
Genetics in the pasture system, he
said, will probably change as a producer
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moves from conventional to an all
pasture, seasonal system.
“If it’s working, stick with your
system,” he said. “I think that’s the
most critical thing you can do. Some
have used so many different breeds they
don’t know what is working,” he
warned.
‘Sharemilking’
Forgey also detailed his “sharemilk
ing” agreement with a younger dairy
farmer. This system affords the oppor
tunity for young people to get involved
in the dairy industry with less debt and
enables older dairymen to chance to
slow down and yet stay involved.
Forgey’s business partner began by
purchasing springing heifers, which
Forgey leased back until the debt was
paid and the sharemilking agreement
began.
In sharemilking, he said, the land
owner is responsible for harvesting,
major repairs and maintenance, and
providing equipment and management
assistance.
The sharemilker provides daily herd
management, takes the milking and calf
raising responsibilities, and provides
pasture management and day-to-day
maintenance.
The agreement, which also divides up
the expenses and milk sales accord
ingly, creates a true subcontracting, in
stead of an employee, situation.
Forgey said, “the dairy industry is
rapidly changing. Pasture systems pro
vide a way to stay competitive today.”
Hertzler’s Moo-Echo Farm
Duane Hertzler, Loysville, owns 300
acres and rents 300 acres for Moo-Echo
(Turn to Page 27)