Yes and No, Oogie. Yes, today's ration must be balanced against the existing
pasture reality, but, no, our pasture response to adequate fertilization was
immediate and quite amazing. In one year, we went from 4t/acre to 12t/acre
on land grazed 6 months, and those stats were all taken by a bunch of
University and Extension folks. Here, it was not a 'long-term process'. The
response was immediate, both in terms of pasture growth and milk production.
Dick Conklin
----- Original Message -----
From: "Oogie McGuire" <oogiem@desertweyr.com>
To: <graze-l@witt.ac.nz>
Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2003 2:33 AM
Subject: Re: [Graze-l] a new dairy
> >The most important 'first step' for you would be to get some pasture
> >soil tests. Then respond to that data!
>
> I'd echo that general thought but instead I'd focus on actual forage
> testing first. And then develop a mineral and feeding regime that is
> based on what your pastures actually are in terms of protein, mineral
> and energy levels.
>
> Modifying the soils to produce better grass is a long term process.
> In our area we're told it can take several years to see improved
> plant cover and better species mixes and minerals are a long term
> thing to change as well.
>
> In the mean time you have to know what you have as forage so you can
> supplement as necessary to meet your production goals.
>
> --
> Oogie McGuire - oogiem@desertweyr.com
> Weyr Associates - Multimedia and Web Authoring Services & Consulting
> Desert Weyr - CMK Arabian horses and Black Welsh Mountain Sheep
> http://www.desertweyr.com/
> Paonia, CO USA
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