Swath Grazing of
Annual Forages

Trevor Atchison

Managing Partner

Poplarview Stock Farm

Pipestone, MB

2001

• Millet

• 150 cow days per acre

• 52 cents total cost per head per day

• Dwarf Corn

• 178 cow days per acre

• 62 cents total cost per head per day

• 1.25 lbs ADG

• 85% sold as grain fed cows (D1 cows) after 60 days on swath grazed corn

Millet in 2002

• 30 acres

• Input costs per acre

Fertilizer $25

Seed   $11

Seeding   $8

Glyphos and application $6 Total $50

+ Land cost $18  = $70

Costs

• 2001     Millet  150cow days/acre $.60

• 2002     Millet  197 cdays/acre  $.57                             Corn     280 cdays/acre   $ .55

• Mature cows  Oats at a cost of $.28 per day in addition we fed poor quality hay at a cost of 24 cents per day totaling $.66 including labor and equipment.

Millet in 2005

• 75 pairs on 35 acres for 23 days

• 75*23 = 1725  total cow days/ 35 acres=49

• $80/ 49  =  $1.60 per pair per day

• Hay worth 2.5 cents per pound fed at 60lbs per pair totals $1.50 per pair per day.

Even in poor growing conditions the crop is salvageable.

Feed Values
of cereals based on seeding date.

How the previous data was obtained

     Barley under seeded with fall rye.          

   Aftermath the following year

This in 2 days…

From this to.....

        Potable shelter

   Allows us to use land locations that don’t have natural shelter.  Spreads nutrients to different areas. 

Pros

• Can easily integrate swath grazing and 0-till

• Lower winter feed costs

• Reduce manure handling

• Less labor

• Healthy animals

• Better for the soil

• Operator exercise

Cons

• Wildlife damage

• Weather losses

• Manitoba Climate

– Snow depth

– Cold weather

– Water source

• Possible over feeding

• Poor ground for electric fence

Thanks to:

• Manitoba-North Dakota Zero-till Farmers Association

• Westman Ag. Diversification Organization, Inc.

• Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives