MGFN Newsletter

Summer 2007

Volume 3 Issue 3

Maine Grass Farmers Network
4th Annual Grazing Conference

Pasture Walk: Sept 28 & Conference: Sept 29

Come join us for a unique pasture walk and exciting conference in Central Maine. In the afternoon of Friday the 28^th, MGFN and Rainbow Valley Farm will sponsor a pasture walk with nationally recognized grazing specialist Darrell Emmick. Rainbow Valley Farm is an organic dairy farm that grazes 138 milking cows. They are located on Rt 104 (3535 West River Rd, Sidney). The pasture walk will be from 1-3 pm on Friday, the 28^th.

On Saturday, Sept 29^th, the Maine Grass Farmers Network will sponsor the 4th Annual Grazing Conference at the Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield, ME.

Conference cost is $25/farm, $20 each additional farm representative. Lunch of local foods included. Details will be available on the MGFN website: www.umaine.edu/umext/mgfn or by calling the Waldo County Cooperative Extension at 1-800-287-1426 (in Maine) or (207) 342-5971. You can also email questions to mgfn@prexar.com

This year’s conference will feature Darrell Emmick, a State Grazing Land Management Specialist with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) from New York. Darrell recently finished his PhD on grazing behavior and has some very interesting conclusions he will share in his presentations. Darrell will also present information from years of experience concerning managing equine pastures.

10:00-12:00 Keynote with Darrell Emmick
Behavior-Based Grazing Management: More than the luck of the bite
To the casual observer, the foraging behavior of livestock often appears as a process of random selection, whereby they simply eat what they encounter. In taking a closer look, one would see this is hardly the truth. Plants and animals have coexisted on planet Earth for nearly 400 million years, and the interactions between the two are very complex. Plants influence animals through provision of nutrients, toxins, and patterns of growth and production over time and in space. Animals influence plants primarily through defoliation, trampling and altering nutrient dynamics. Unlike livestock kept in confinement and fed prepared rations, with no choice but to eat what is put in front of them or go hungry, grazing animals face many challenges in what to eat, when to eat, and where. Diet selection is far more than simply the luck of the bite, and has major implications for anyone wanting to optimize the performance of their pasture-based livestock operation.

2:45-4:15 2nd Keynote - Sam Comstock
Economics of Pasture Based Livestock Production Sam Comstock, a Livestock Production Specialist with the University of Vermont Extension, will discuss the economic considerations of grazing and finishing livestock on pasture and forages. He has developed spreadsheets as tools for decision making for forage based enterprises. He writes regularly for the publication Country Folks and he and his family operate a small diversified farm in Chester, Vermont.

At Pineland Natural Meats Feedlot, pre-registration required. Contact Dee Potter 1-800-287-1421

Featuring Dr. Robert & Betty Herr of New Holland PA Highmoor Farm Agriculture Research Station RT 202
For more info, contact Extension Educator Richard Brzozowski 1-800-287-1471 rbrz@umext.maine.edu more details soon

At the Holiday Inn, hosted by the Central New York RC&D Project Inc. Over 35 practical workshops, local grass-fed meats, Vendors and Surprises! Please join us as “GRAZING WILL BE GREAT IN 2008”

The Maine Grass Farmers Network was created in 2003 with a SARE grant. That grant runs out this fall, which means that we face some transitions. One of them is that we will become a membership organization starting in January, 2008. Dues will be $25, and the membership year will run from Jan. 1 through December. We realize that there are many organizations that want your support, and we know that in order for you to want to become a dues-paying member of the Maine Grass Farmers Network, there has to be some value to you for being a member. Here is a list that we came up with of the benefits of membership:

A special benefit for those who join this fall: If you join for 2008 at the conference (or mail in dues by the end of September) you will get $5 off the first year’s dues. Make checks payable to MGFN and send to: MGFN c/o Diane Shivera, PO Box 170, Unity ME 04988

When I send out emails, quite a few bounce back. If you have changed your email address, please send us your new one! If you have a filter that is treating us as spam, please add us in your address book: mgfn@prexar.com. If for some other reason we do not have your email address, and you would like to receive the occasional notices, please send us your address. And, if you now receive your newsletter on paper, and would prefer to receive it by email, please let us know! Thanks. Paula Roberts

Then attend the 2007 MGFN Grazing Conference! Hear what Dr. Darrell Emmick, State Grazing Land Management Specialist with the USDA-NRCS, has to say. In this presentation on Equine Pasture Management, Darrell will share information on how plants grow, the planning and management required to maximize plant productivity, and provide a conceptual model for successfully grazing horses on a limited amount of acres.

The MGFN coordinators have discussed changing the organization’s name. The primary reason for this is that while many people who raise livestock pasture their animals, not all of them consider themselves "grass farmers." Those of us who think of ourselves as grass farmers have a particular focus on the quality of our pastures and want to manage them in a way that improves that quality, in large part because that is how we enhance the growth and lives and quality of our livestock. But the term grass farmers may not mean much to some people, even though much of the information that we wish to share with each other might be useful to them. The thought has been to change the name to something that would feel more inclusive of all farmers and ranchers who graze their livestock or raise animals on pasture. A sampling of ideas is listed below, and we are inviting you to call or email with more ideas, including the current name. Please send ideas to Paula Roberts at mgfn@prexar.com or call 338-1265. Thanks to those who have already emailed with ideas. Conference attendees will an opportunity to vote for their preference.

Getting your animals the minerals they need
in Maine’s environment
by Gabe Clark

Mineral supplementation is a critical component of any livestock operation. There are a number of essential minerals that must be mixed in the proper proportions to improve the production and health of livestock. I will not be discussing the ingredients today, but it is critical to note that different classes of livestock and differences in geographical areas will be the most important in determining the type of mineral mix you offer to your animals.

This article is focused on getting minerals to your animals in an effective, efficient and timely manner. In my opinion, there are a few important factors. First, it is more effective if you present minerals to your livestock in a granular form than in a solid block. Second, a free choice system is always preferable to feeding daily, especially for labor reasons. Additional important factors include: keeping the minerals protected from the weather, being able to easily transport minerals from pasture to pasture if needed, and having a well-constructed feeder that needs little maintenance or attention. For all of these reasons, (and through some trial and error!) for our operation we have found a type of mineral feed that works for us. (pictured below) Mineral Feeder

The body of this feeder is made of a non-brittle plastic and to date it has not cracked even when frozen in the winter. The top flap that protects the minerals from wind, rain, snow, and any other weather we may encounter, is made of soft rubber which is easy for the animals to move, and has not required maintenance or repair. This feeder also has three spaces in it where different types of minerals can be fed separately if desired.

For the cattle to access the feeder, they simply nose up the plastic and lick. They adjust very rapidly to the feeder, as they are able to smell the minerals in it and will try to access them until they learn how to flip the lid. Lastly we like this feeder because it is fairly light weight when empty, and if you only put in a one or two day supply of minerals at a time, it can be moved from field to field as you rotate your animals.

There are a number of companies that make feeders in this design. The store we bought it through has closed but your local farm supply store should be able to source them for you. Here are some websites that offer similar type feeders.

Selenium:
An Important Balance Between Sufficiency and Toxicity
by Diane Schivera, M.S., and Eric Sideman, Ph.D.

Selenium (Se) serves important functions in all animals. Called the “protection mineral,” it is a key component in glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme. The enzyme, found in red and white blood cells, heart muscle, brain, fat, lungs, liver, kidney and skeletal muscle, stops oxidation and thus protects cells and unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes from damage by oxidizing materials, such as peroxides, that form during normal metabolism. Oxidative cell damage can lead to tissue damage and impaired function. Vitamin E functions with Se in this antioxidant enzyme system, and a deficiency of either or both can result in a deficiency of glutathione peroxidase throughout the body. Often vitamin E and Se are administered together to address a deficiency of either.

Stress increases the effects of Se deficiency and may trigger clinical disease. Stresses such as pregnancy, lactation and growth increase an animal’s trace element needs.

Selenium is also involved in converting thyroid hormone, converting methionine to cysteine, and producing the immunoglobulin antibodies IgM and IgG in the immune system and in the colostrum. It also binds heavy metals.

Selenomethionine and small amounts of selenocysteine, the organic forms of Se found in forages and grains, are very bio-available. It is important to note, however, that when plants grow rapidly in the spring, their trace mineral concentrations are diluted. Also, higher levels of sulfur in fresh forages may reduce Se availability. Good rotational grazing can improve animals’ chances of eliminating trace element deficiencies due to minor differences among paddocks.

Protein feeds are natural sources of Se, so dry cow rations that are low in protein may lead to Se deficiency symptoms, such as an increased incidence of retained placenta.

Selenium in Soils Although Se is not an essential nutrient for plant growth, plants will take it up from the soil or through foliar feeding. Hence, one way to meet the Se nutritional requirements of livestock or humans is by fertilizing crops. This does not mean you should load your soil with selenium. At high concentrations it is toxic to plant tissue, and large doses in animals can cause loss of hair, nails and teeth and gastrointestinal upset. Proper levels for fertilization are very small--about10 grams per acre—and can be supplied as seed coatings or foliar feeding. Use only commercial preparations and follow directions carefully.

Maine soils are generally very low in selenium. Recent work has demonstrated that added Se would result in more Se in feed and better plant growth. Selenium improves stress tolerance of plants, increases yield and quality of plant products, and enhances sugar and starch accumulation in leaves and tubers. But again, be aware that plants may accumulate excess Se; providing Se supplements to livestock and humans is safer than applying Se fertilizers. Bruce Hoskins of the Maine Soil Testing Service does not recommend Se fertilization but suggests that livestock producers feed the animals supplements, or buy in soy meal, alfalfa meal or grains produced in the West, where soils are high in selenium.

Supplements for Animals Chemically inorganic supplemental sources are sodium selenite and sodium selenate, which come as a trace mineral salt with selenium. Both are considered to have l00% bioactivity for ruminants--although recently available yeast sources of Se have produced higher blood levels of Se in cows than inorganic sources, indicating that they are more bioactive.

Injectable forms of selenium called Mu-Se and Bo-Se are available also, with a prescription from a veterinarian. These are given to young animals at birth, to stressed animals and to animals that have been shown to be deficient.

Using a trace mineral salt with Se is the least expensive way to increase Se intake in livestock. The FDA allows up to 120 ppm in salt for cattle and up to 90 ppm in salt for sheep. The loose form is recommended over hard block salt, which limits intake to unacceptably low amounts. When block salt is used for convenience under range conditions, semi-soft blocks are better than loose salt or hard block salt.

Supplements should be mixed to provide adult cows with an intake of 3 mg (milligrams) maximum of Se daily.

In 1993, the FDA set the maximum Se allowance in feeds and grain mixes at 0.3 ppm, due to the potential environmental impact of Se excreted by animals.

Livestock specialist Jerry Brunetti recommends the ruminant ration include a maximum of 1.0 -3.0 ppm selenium with supplementation; test your rations to see if they include enough selenium.

The ideal intake of Se for humans adults is 250-300 micrograms/day. Seafood, brazil nuts, brewer’s yeast, butter, garlic, kelp and molasses are good food sources.

Deficiency Symptoms Selenium and/or vitamin E deficiencies cause nutritional myopathy (myodegeneration) or white muscle disease in lambs and calves. This causes white striations in the heart and skeletal muscles and can be associated with other stresses. Animals may have a stiff gait or be unable to walk; they may eventually go down and die shortly; or heart damage may cause sudden death. A deficiency of omega-6 fatty acids will cause the same symptoms.

Young animals with subclinical deficiencies will have impaired immune systems, causing a poor response to vaccination and resulting in greater susceptibility to infectious causes of pneumonia and scours. Females have reduced conception rates and more frequent retained placentas, mastitis, pyometra (a uterine infection) and abortion.

Research at Ohio State University showed that a retained placenta in animals may be controlled by an intramuscular injection of 50 mg of Se as selenite and 680 IU of vitamin E given approximately 21 days prepartum; or by feeding a total intake of 1.0 mg of Se per day as selenite during the last 60 days of the dry period.

Even a marginal deficiency of Se will reduce milk volume and fat yield from dairy animals.

Other Se deficiency symptoms include diarrhea--usually profuse - and weight loss in young and adult cattle; and decreased feed efficiency, decreased weight gains and unthrifty appearance. The most reliable way to determine the Se status of an animal is to analyze whole blood rather than serum. Blood samples collected from 10 to 20% of the animals in a herd will provide sufficient information to determine the Se status of the entire herd or flock.

Testing the hair of cattle can indicate Se deficiency or toxicity. Most studies show that cattle with less than 0.25 ppm Se in their hair probably need supplementation, while more than 5 ppm may lead to clinical signs of selenosis (Se toxicity).

Soil tests and plant tissue tests may help indicate the amount of Se in animals’ diets, but both can be problematic and of limited use. For example, soil test results must be adjusted for soil type, the presence of competing minerals, the plant species growing in the area and seasonal conditions.

About the authors: Diane Schivera (dianes@mofga.org) is MOFGA’s organic livestock specialist; Eric Sideman (esideman@mofga.org) is MOFGA’s organic crops specialist.

Sources “Mineral Needs of Dairy Cattle,” by B. Harris, Jr., A. L. Adams, and H. H. Van Horn, Univ. of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/DS122.

“Comparison of 3 methods of selenium assessment in cattle,” C. Waldner, J. Campbell, G. K. Jim, P. T. Guichon and C. Booker, Dept. of Herd Medicine and Theriogenology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Univ. of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. Can. Vet. J., April 1998. www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1540363

DIET SELECTION AND GRAZING BEHAVIOR
Choices, Choices, Choices-
Interpreting the Pasture “Salad Bar”
by Kathy Sodor, USDA/ARS

A grazing ruminant is presented with a smorgasbord of choices when turned out onto a pasture. However, little is understood on how selection decisions are made by the animal, including:

How do these animals know what plants to eat and what to avoid? Can grazing ruminants ‘balance’ a diet by consuming various plants that complement each other nutritionally? Do their diet preferences change throughout the day, throughout the grazing season? Why do preferences change? How can we manage for these changes?

Grazing behavior research is attempting to address these issues to improve animal and pasture productivity. Studies conducted in the United Kingdom with perennial ryegrass and white clover pastures showed that, when given a choice, cattle and sheep preferred clover over ryegrass and consumed clover more rapidly than ryegrass. However, these animals do not consume a 100% clover diet. Why is that? If they prefer clover over ryegrass, wouldn’t we expect them to consume clover and ignore grass?

The UK work showed that, in reality, cattle and sheep preferred a diet (based on the choices presented to them) that is 50-70% clover, and 30-50% ryegrass. Furthermore, clover was preferred in the morning while grass was preferred in the afternoon. What is causing the switch from one forage to another? Why not continue eating the forage preferred first thing in the morning (in this case, clover)? Although we don’t yet have definitive answers, clues in the scientific literature and additional research may help solve this puzzle.

Grazing ruminants have 3-5 major ‘meals’ throughout the day (with mini grazing bouts in between the major meals), with the largest meal in the evening and the second largest meal in the early morning. Cattle, sheep and goats are prey animals that evolved to consume large quantities of high-fiber feeds in a relatively short time (often in open meadows where they were more prone to predation), then find a safe place to lie down and further chew (ruminate) their food. Ruminant animals typically lie down after dusk and remain relatively still during the night unless disturbed.

After chewing cud much of the night, their rumens have emptied substantially. In the UK work, the morning meal tended to consist of primarily clover (the preferred forage)…But why do they stop eating clover, and switch to grass (or vice versa)? Why does the evening meal contain primarily grass, when we know clover is the preferred forage?

Several theories exist concerning why preferences change. First, grazing animals may have learned through trial and error that clover causes bloat/discomfort. Researchers at Utah State University conducted research on these post-ingestive feedback mechanisms and showed that when animals are made ill after consuming a food (particularly novel foods), they develop a strong aversion to that food. Additionally, they will teach their offspring to avoid that food (even though under normal circumstances it may be a perfectly fine food for a ruminant). And those offspring remember those early lessons from ‘mom’ long into their lives. These researchers have also shown that ruminants are able to learn to ‘self-medicate’.

Ruminants may consume a high clover diet, only to have bloat result. They relate the discomfort of bloat to the clover, and so, to avoid bloat, perhaps ruminants learned (through trial and error) to switch from clover to grass after they reach a particular satiation point, since grass is higher in fiber, has a slower passage rate, and may mediate the bloat affects. The USU group has also shown how animals can ‘mix’ diets to mediate the effects of secondary compounds. For example, the ruminants consumed a certain level of a plant containing high tannin content, then switching to a plant containing high terpene level. By themselves, dietary consumption was low for each plant species, but (and total dietary intake) increased. Grazing ruminants may have inherently learned that grass ‘fills them up’ more for that long night-time fast, since grass typically contains more fiber than clover, causes more cud-chewing activity (which has been linked to deep-sleep patterns in ruminants), and has a slower passage rate out of the rumen.

The sugar content of grasses is higher in the afternoon than in the morning, which may influence preference for grasses throughout the day.

There is much to be learned about grazing behavior of ruminants. Pastures in the United States tend to be much more diverse than the ryegrass/clover pastures used in the UK studies. We do not yet know whether the same preferences occur with our diverse forages as what was seen in the previous studies with relatively few choices. The USDA-ARS Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Unit is currently conducting research to answer these questions. Gaining a better understanding of diet preferences of grazing ruminants will help in developing improved grazing strategy recommendations, improved pasture mixture, and ultimately, improved animal and pasture productivity.

USDA Agricultural Research Service - PASTURE SYSTEMS AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT RESEARCH UNIT FACT SHEET

John O'Donnell has been raising beef cattle on grass from birth to slaughter for 6 years. He started his herd with a few Angus cow calf pairs he bought from Marshall and Pat Bates, and has since, by purchasing a few more cows and keeping back heifers, increased his herd to 30 cow/calf pairs. He still has all the Bates cows, who he says haven't missed a beat in his rotational grazing system.

John, who does not have a farming background, bought his Monmouth farm in 1999 partly as an investment, and partly to save it from development. It had once been a dairy farm, but for the last few years the fields had been hayed by a neighboring farmer. He wasn't sure at first how he would use the farm, which consists of 270 acres, 160 of which are pasture and hayland (a developer's dream!). A long time member of MOFGA (Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association), he was interested in food and food production. For the first couple of years he pastured some heifers for the farmer who had been haying the farm. Then he discovered the Stockman Grass Farmer magazine on the Internet and became excited about the idea of raising beef cattle on pasture using an intensive rotational grazing system.

Almost all of the fields are now fenced with three strands of high tensile electric fence on the perimeter. Some of them are hayed for an early first crop, and then become part of his rotational grazing for the second crop. The yearlings are moved every day to fresh grass, the cows and calves every day or two. They are on separate rotations, with the yearlings on the best grass, since they will receive no grain before going to slaughter in October and November. For interior fencing John uses 14 gauge wire for large divisions, held up by fiberglass posts, and a single line of polywire for the daily paddock divisions.

Water is available to most of the paddocks from black plastic pipe that has a "boiler drain valve" every couple of hundred feet. John can screw on a hose that goes to a float valve in a 75 gallon tank.

In the winter the cattle are fed hay and baleage. At all times of year, John provides them with minerals in the form of free choice Redman's salt and free choice kelp meal. He sometimes gives them Fertrell's Grazier's Choice mineral mix. Because no chemical fertilizer had been spread on the farm for years, John was able to become certified organic right away.

Rather than keep a bull, John has leased an Angus bull each year for a couple of months. The last two years he has used a Red Angus bull, to see if this provides some "hybrid vigor" and if the red calves seem to be more tolerant of the heat than the black ones.

For the first couple of years, calving was timed to take place in May and June, mostly after the cows were out on pasture, but this year he backed it up a couple of weeks, and started about April 20th. He hopes to have the calves a bit bigger by the time they go to slaughter at 17 or 18 months of age. He'll have some idea next fall whether the earlier calving pays off in terms of heavier carcass weights. Starting calving in April means the cows were calving in the barn instead of on pasture. John has a source of sawdust so that he was able to provide clean bedding. The cattle had free access to a sacrifice pasture, but most came into the barn to give birth. The farm has an old traditional farmhouse with an old barn which John now uses for equipment storage. When he was making square baled hay, he stored hay in it. Now he makes large round bales of hay and baleage. A couple of years ago he built a pole barn for the cattle, which is open on one side. He received some grant money to help with that from Farms For the Future. They also provided a team which helped him develop a business plan and ideas for marketing. He found the team's input very helpful.

He direct markets all the beef, selling them to customers as quarters or sides. This method of marketing has worked out well for him, and he has found increasing interest in beef that is totally grass fed as people learn about the health benefits.

For each of the last three years an apprentice has worked on the farm, which has been very helpful. Farming is not a full time venture for John most of the year. He also has a computer business: he told me he does "Microsoft Office programming, accounting software training and implementation for construction companies." He has degrees in computer programming and accounting. While he enjoys farming, the computer business provides essential income.

This is a description of what I do on our farm and not a recommendation for others to follow. I have no scientific data to show that these levels of these minerals in this form of delivery are necessary or optimum for our animals. However, we have no problems with pinkeye, one assist out of the last 50 calves born, and two lambs lost out of the last 175 born. We (or at least the cows) do have lice in winter, flies in summer, and the lambs have problems with tapeworms. According to Pat Coleby in Natural Cattle Care, such problems are evidence we haven’t got our mineral nutrition perfect yet. Of course, even though it was her book which inspired me to mix our own minerals, I haven’t entirely followed her advice.

The first mix I made for the cattle was 10# salt, 10# kelp meal, 10# dolomitic lime, 1# copper sulfate, 1# yellow sulfur, and 6 oz. of selenium premix (labeled for use at 1# per 50# salt). I put all this in a plastic bucket and shook it by hand. I soon bought a small concrete mixer and now use a mix which is 50# kelp, 50# Redmond salt, 25# dolomitic lime, 25# gypsum, 5# copper sulfate, 2# zinc sulfate, 2# Selenium premix, 5# Azomite (an organic rock powder). I have not been able to get yellow sulfur recently and so substituted the gypsum as a source of sulfur. My cost for ingredients is 40 cents a pound for the mix. At 3 oz. per cow per day this is less than 8 cents a day. I purchase the ingredients from North American Kelp in Waldoboro; Fedco in Clinton for Redmond salt, gypsum, and Azomite; Feed Commodities in Detroit for copper and zinc sulfate; I order selenium premix from Pipestone Veterinary Supply in Minnesota (for winter mineral mix, we get it with added vitamin Em which is more expensive), (Newman Gamage in Augusta also has a Se premix); lime comes from various local garden centers. Before switching to Redmond salt I purchased plain granular salt from a local feed store. Every day I take some of the dry mix in a small bucket and put in our high-tech pasture mineral feeders. The mineral feeders are designed for easy mobility and do not protect the mix from rain and the animals often tip them over. They’re also cheap, being a plastic 15 gal. barrel previously holding teat dip which is sawn in half the long way, providing two feeders from one free barrel.

Note: Sheep store up copper and after several months of a high copper mineral mix their livers fail and release deadly levels of copper into the blood. I know this from killing several of Paula’s favorite ewes. So I now omit the copper sulfate when the mix will be fed to sheep. I suspect our black sheep, at least, would benefit from some copper supplementation but I need to do some research before trying this at home.

Want to improve the efficiency and profitability of
pasture-based production systems for your livestock (of any kind)??

In his presentation, Dr. Darrell Emmick, State Grazing Land Management Specialist with USDA-NRCS, will share information and data on what is known about some of the adaptations, foraging strategies, and mechanisms used by grazing animals to make foraging decisions, and illustrate how you can use this knowledge to optimize your pasture-based livestock production.

We hope you learn from and share this material with your neighbors and friends. This project is about peer learning and information sharing! What information would be helpful for you? Please send us your ideas! Classifieds? Livestock, land or work available? Maybe you have ideas for future issues, and would perhaps like to submit a short article about something you have done that others might want to know about. Email feedback to mgfn@prexar.com or call Paula Roberts at 338-1265.