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Post by JoshuaGA on Jan 25, 2012 19:57:51 GMT -5
or have experience as such that you would mind sharing. Having to change gears a bit, looking for info. TIA.
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Post by jrtheoriginal on Jan 25, 2012 20:19:54 GMT -5
PL has a wealth of knowledge about it. when he gets around to it listen to what he has to say.
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Post by pldairy on Jan 26, 2012 11:33:56 GMT -5
been running cows on grass for more than 25 years
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Post by JoshuaGA on Jan 28, 2012 20:49:31 GMT -5
So PL, what can you tell me? I realize that that is an open ended question but it is one of the things I am asking. Biggest thing I am worried about is heat stress. I can grow pasture pretty much all year, almost all center pivot irrigated, but I have a minimum of 6-7 months to deal with high heat and high humidity, and not much winter. My origional plan was to graze some, but to have a conventional facility, sand bedded freestalls and fans, not to say that still wont happen, but the costs make it hard to justify. I know of several modern grazing dairys around here, the Weherners? are around an hour south of me, I have seen their operation, liked some things, other things wasn't so thrilled on. Actually bought some heifer calves off them. I like the idea of Tom Trantham with his twelve Aprils system, as I will admit to being a farmer and watching things grow, although it is a question of how to translate there to here. Going to get a fellow from the Extension out to talk to us, he is a big proponent of managed grazing and has been involved with some of these dairies.
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Post by papapap on Jan 29, 2012 18:08:10 GMT -5
This guy has several of both type dairy operations in South Ga. and Fla. There is alot less overhead investment with grass-based but forage management is critical for success, as well as reproduction issues if body condition suffers. It is a very efficient system when all things are qoing right as far as least cost milk production but still requires top-flight management. "He has about 17,000 milk cows. Confinement cows produce some 20,500 pounds of milk per cow per year, while cows in his grazing dairies produce about 14,000 pounds of milk per year. After evaluating costs and returns of both confinement and grazing dairies, he says grazing dairies produce greater returns on investment. Labor costs are especially lower for grazing dairies." www.progressivedairy.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6813:ron-st-john-named-2011-florida-farmer-of-the-year&catid=36:industry-news&Itemid=62 |
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Post by pldairy on Jan 29, 2012 19:14:00 GMT -5
So PL, what can you tell me? I realize that that is an open ended question but it is one of the things I am asking. Biggest thing I am worried about is heat stress. I can grow pasture pretty much all year, almost all center pivot irrigated, but I have a minimum of 6-7 months to deal with high heat and high humidity, and not much winter. My origional plan was to graze some, but to have a conventional facility, sand bedded freestalls and fans, not to say that still wont happen, but the costs make it hard to justify. I know of several modern grazing dairys around here, the Weherners? are around an hour south of me, I have seen their operation, liked some things, other things wasn't so thrilled on. Actually bought some heifer calves off them. I like the idea of Tom Trantham with his twelve Aprils system, as I will admit to being a farmer and watching things grow, although it is a question of how to translate there to here. Going to get a fellow from the Extension out to talk to us, he is a big proponent of managed grazing and has been involved with some of these dairies. get me your # in a message and I will call ya,it alot eazer to yack than to type |
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Post by pldairy on Jan 29, 2012 19:15:44 GMT -5
Josh, get me a # in the message thingie,and I will call ya
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Post by JoshuaGA on Jan 30, 2012 19:31:37 GMT -5
Josh, get me a # in the message thingie,and I will call ya PL, I know you'd rather talk on the phone, but I would just assume talk on an email if that is not disagreeable. I hate talking on the phone, I have a hard time hearing the person on the other end, not my favorite form of communication. Would still be interested in hearing from you, email in profile. |
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Post by papapap on Jan 31, 2012 9:54:36 GMT -5
Joshua-Pretty timely article on grazing. You should also wear your welcome out with as many similar operations in your general area for advice and guidance as possible. Dealing with heat, humidity and then throw droughts like last year in the equation- what works in one region may not be the same in yours. If possible, you could look into leasing a vacant operation until you decide what might be your best option. www.dairyherd.com/e-newsletters/dairy-daily/The-Era-of-Grazing-128823993.html |
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