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FSA3117
Best Management Practices for
University of Arkansas, United States Department of Agriculture, and County Governments Cooperating
• Allows the use of cow herd performance Some ranches that lease bulls have a program
records to select replacement heifers and where they buy the calves produced by the bull. This
identify poor performance cows for culling. may provide a quick and easy way to market calves
• Reduces calf mortality. Checking calving cows for the producer with small a cowcalf herd.
and heifers frequently can increase the
number
of live calves. Although cash leases are more common, producers
may also lease bulls on a share basis. This typically
Demonstrations across Arkansas showed that involves use of a bull in return for a share of the calf
reducing the breeding and calving season was the crop. Returns from calf sales and, on rare occasions,
first step toward improving beef cattle management returns from cull bull sales are usually shared in the
efficiency. Results from Arkansas Beef Improvement same proportion as each party contributes to costs.
Program (ABIP) Breeding and Calving Season demon Because the value of calf production returns will vary
strations showed that when calving season is reduced with market fluctuations and herd productivity, the
to 90 days, direct cost per animal unit decreased cost of a share lease is subject to these changes,
32 percent, herd breakeven decreased 38 percent and unlike a cash lease. Share lease arrangements can be
gross margin (gross income minus direct cost) customized to individual situations. The proportions
improved by 75 percent. With a 90day breeding and of input costs (land/pasture, labor, management,
calving season, many cooperators reported more free buildings, machinery/equipment, feed and other
time to pursue other interests or activities. cash costs) and calf crop or cash receipts each lease
participant is responsible for can be tailored to fit the
A short breeding and calving season is a key level of risks each party is willing to assume. Share
element
to improving efficiency and profits. leases allow the bull owner and the producer leasing
the bull to share risk. Participating in this type of
Leasing a Bull Rather Than Owning a Bull lease may be a way to obtain the use of bulls under
situations when cash or credit is limited.
Bulls can cause problems for producers with a
small cowcalf herd. Problems may include having Any bull changing ownership (including leased
inadequate paddocks to secure a bull; replacing bulls) should have a negative official trichomoniasis
fences, mineral feeders, feed bunks, waterers, etc., test within 30 days prior to change of ownership with
torn up by bulls; and replacing bulls to prevent no exposure to females from 7 days to the test at the
inbreeding, if small cowcalf herd producers raise time of change of ownership.
their own replacement heifers.
Purchasing Replacement Heifers Rather Than
Bull leasing may be an option for producers with
small cowcalf herds. A bull leasing program can Raising Replacement Heifers
improve genetics while reducing the capital invest A key decision facing producers with small
ment and operating expenses needed for acquiring cowcalf herds is whether to raise or purchase
and keeping a breeding bull yearround. A leasing replacement heifers. Cowcalf producers should eval
program may supply a greater selection of genetically uate the replacement heifer enterprise separate from
superior bulls that otherwise may be more than a the rest of the cowcalf enterprise and identify its
producer with a small cowcalf herd would be willing economic strengths and weaknesses. Raising replace
to pay to purchase the bull. When considering leasing ments requires additional management, labor, facilities,
as an option, compare the costs and returns from feed, pastures and other resources. Often, producers
leasing a bull versus buying a bull. do not have the time, facilities, extra pastures, etc., to
justify raising their own replacement heifers.
It is also important to outline the responsibilities
of all lease participants in detail to answer any ques The total cost of developing a replacement heifer
tions that might arise if the bull gets sick, dies or is can be quite high. Producers need to carefully weigh
determined to be an unsatisfactory breeder. If any the advantages of homeraised heifers against their
expenses are to be shared, then the contribution of costs. When evaluating the cost of homeraised
each party should be decided up front. Responsibility heifers, a number of items should be considered.
for unexpected expenses should also be determined at These items include costs of production (feed, veteri
the time the lease is signed. Deciding these questions nary cost, mineral supplementation, utilities, labor,
ahead of time protects both the owner of the bull and bull or AI cost, etc.), opportunity cost of operator’s
the producer leasing the bull. labor and owned feed resources, pregnancy rates
from the first breeding, death loss, cull income (non
Leased bulls are on the farm during the breeding breeding culls, culled yearlings, etc.), initial weight
season, so bull maintenance costs are not incurred and growth rate and heifer value at weaning.
yearround. Feed costs alone for one bull may run
close to $350 per year. Veterinary, medicine, labor Factors to consider when deciding whether to
and breeding soundness examination costs will add to purchase or raise replacements:
the cash outlay associated with keeping a bull.
• When bringing animals in from an outside
Cash leasing rates typically average $500 to $700 herd or source, disease control and biosecurity
per bull for a single breeding season; however, this are of extreme importance.
will vary depending on the cattle market and the • Finding the quality and heifer type that fits
quality of the bull. the cow herd and the environment.
• Locating a consistent supply of heifers. Internal and External Parasite Control – The
• Time required locating and purchasing need to control internal parasites will exist as long
heifers. as cattle are grazing pastures. However, parasite
• Genetic control. levels are not the same on all pastures or in all cattle.
• Purchasing replacement heifers will open Heavily stocked pastures generally have a higher
resources for alternative uses. parasite burden than lightly stocked pastures. Cattle
• Generally, by purchasing replacement heifers, in a drylot are less likely to have heavy worm
the cow herd can be expanded or changed infections
than those on pasture.
genetically in less time.
Young cattle will typically have more internal
parasites and are more affected by internal parasites
General Beef Cattle Management Practices than older cattle. Therefore, the methods of control
Herd Health – A herd health management plan ling internal parasites should be developed to fit indi
is vital to profitable beef production. Many animal vidual production situations. Strategic deworming
health problems can be controlled with good manage starts with understanding the life cycle of problem
ment, proper nutrition and vaccination against infec parasites, identifying seasonal changes in parasite
tious diseases. Beef cattle vaccination programs vary, burdens and implementing costeffective control. A
depending upon the type of beef cattle operation successful deworming program, along with good
(commercial cowcalf, purebred, stocker, etc.) and the overall
herd management, will increase milk produc
tion in cows and thereby increase weaning weights
area of Arkansas. It is important to contact a local
of calves.
veterinarian to determine the correct herd health
program for the herd. For cattle to reach their Arthropod pests of beef cattle consist of various
performance
potential, they must be healthy. species of ticks, bloodfeeding flies, filth flies, mosqui
toes, black flies, lice, grubs, bots and fleas. All of
Castration – Steer calves are preferred over bull these arthropods can negatively affect production and
calves. In 2010, the average selling price for bull and profits. Problems with pests vary with location,
steer calves was $109.85 and $116.16 per cwt., season,
host, production system and other factors.
respectively. Therefore, bull calves were discounted Economically viable options are available to control
$6.31 per cwt. compared to steer calves. Bull calves most of these pest species. A number of management
should be castrated if not intended for breeding practices (fly tags, dust bags, sprays, oral, etc.) can
purposes.
Castration is best done when the calf is control these pests.
young. Castrating older calves is more difficult, and
they suffer a greater setback. Many producers Mineral Supplementation – Cattle require the
castrate
newborn calves at the same time they tag proper balance of water, energy, protein, vitamins
and/or tattoo them for identification. Surgical castra and minerals to achieve optimal levels of production.
tion is the most positive method of castration and is Cattle usually require some form of mineral supple
preferred by many producers. mentation during all times of the year. The required
minerals are divided into major (macro) and trace
Implanting – Growthpromoting implants are (micro) minerals. Major minerals are reported as a
compressed pellets or slowrelease devices placed percentage of the diet and include sodium, chlorine,
under the skin of the ear. They have been used potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and
throughout the U.S. cattle industry for more than a sulfur.
Trace minerals are required at much lower
quarter of a century to improve rate of gain and feed levels than the major minerals but are just as essen
efficiency. Research trials have shown that proper use tial. Trace minerals are commonly reported as parts
of implants returns at least $10 for each $1 invested. per million (ppm). Required trace minerals include
zinc, copper, selenium, manganese, iron, nickel,
Implants improve both rate and efficiency of cobalt, molybdenum and iodine.
weight gain (Table 1). The response is greater in
animals
that have genetic potential and proper Pregnancy Testing – Pregnancy testing by
management
to gain weight rapidly. Therefore, palpation
is done by inserting the arm into the
implants complement good management (genetics rectum
and feeling the reproductive tract for preg
nancy status. Shortterm pregnancies are difficult to
and feeding) but do not compensate for poor manage
detect, so it is best to wait at least 45 days after bulls
ment because of limited responses under poor
are removed to pregnancy test. Palpation is an art
management
conditions. and a skill. Most veterinarians, artificial insemina
tion technicians and experienced cattle producers can
Table 1. Estimated Response to Implants make accurate pregnancy determinations. The cost
for pregnancy checking is minimal when the expense
Expected Improvement of carrying an open cow for a year is considered.
Class of Cattle Gain Feed Efficiency Pregnancy testing can also be accomplished by a
blood test as early as 30 days post breeding.
Suckling calves 4%8%
Body Condition Scoring – Proper body condition
Growing cattle 10%20% 6%8% of cows prior to calving plays an important role in
continued successful reproduction in a herd. Scoring
Finishing cattle 15% 8%10% cows for body condition when calves are weaned
provides a basis for determining nutritional needs knows of little adjustments that would enhance cattle
prior to the upcoming calving. The plane of nutrition movement – learning from that experience may be
provided during lactation is the most important of very important. If at all possible, the working chute
several factors affecting the condition of brood cows. area should be covered (roof) and have electricity.
Differences observed in body condition within the
herd may be due to age, soundness of teeth, milk Forage Testing and Supplementation Improves
production, general health or genetic variability. Performance and Profitability
Extremely thin or fat cows may need to be fed
separately or culled from the herd. Buying the right kind and feeding the right
amount of supplemental feed is very important for
Variation in the condition of beef cows has a cow performance and overall profitability. If a
number of practical implications. The condition of
producer with a small cowcalf herd invests time and
cows at calving is associated with length of postpar resources to supplementing cows, then knowing the
tum interval, subsequent lactation performance, correct type and amounts of supplement to feed is
health and vigor of the newborn calf and the inci important. A forage or hay test is the first step in
dence of calving difficulties in extremely fat heifers. determining the correct supplement.
Condition is often overrated as a cause of dystocia in
older cows. The condition of cows at breeding affects A forage test reveals the nutrient content of hay.
their reproductive performance in terms of services Knowing the nutrient composition of hay allows com
per conception, calving interval and the percentage of parisons between hay nutrient levels and the nutrient
open cows. requirements of the cattle being fed. If the animals’
needs are greater than what is provided in the hay, a
Body condition or changes in body condition, leastcost feed supplement can be developed.
rather than live weight or shifts in weight, are a more
reliable guide for evaluating the nutritional status of Leastcost supplemental feeding generally
a cow. Live weight is sometimes mistakenly used as involves grouping animals based on their nutritional
an indication of body condition and fat reserves, but requirements, forage testing and identifying the costs
gut fill and the products of pregnancy prevent weight of feed grains. To minimize feed costs, cattle with
from being an accurate indicator of condition. Live
different nutritional requirements should be grouped
weight does not accurately reflect changes in separately and supplemented accordingly. Commin
nutritional status. gling cattle with different requirements (for example,
nonlactating cows wintered in the same field as lac
In commercial practice, body condition scoring can tating cows) can cause either overfeeding and waste
be carried out regularly and satisfactorily in circum of costly supplements or underfeeding and poor cattle
stances where weighing may be impractical. The tech performance. A short (75day) breeding and calving
nique is easy to learn and is useful when practiced by season ensures all cows are in the same state of pro
the same person in the same herd over several years. duction, thus having similar nutrient requirements.
Knowing the nutrient composition of the forage
Proper Working Facilities Pay for Themselves allows feeding lowerquality hay to cattle with lower
nutrient requirements and feeding higherquality hay
Good working facilities are very important for the to cattle with greater requirements.
producer with a small cowcalf herd. Frequently, labor
to help work cattle is limited, and the producer finds Leastcost supplemental feeding based on a forage
himself/herself working cattle alone or with limited analysis helped reduce supplemental feed cost on
help. Facilities and equipment for working cattle are ABIP farms from $43 per 1,000pound cow in year 1
required for the proper management and care of the to $31 in year 5. Supplemental feed cost ranged from
cattle. No one should enter into a cattle operation $30 to $40 per 1,000pound cow each year. However,
without the proper facilities and equipment to care some ABIP participants have chosen to improve hay
for and manage the herd. quality by cutting earlier, thus eliminating the need
for costly supplements.
Wellplanned working facilities and welldesigned
equipment will immediately start to pay for them Proper supplementation helped improve ABIP
selves in the following ways: (1) fewer injuries to herd reproductive performance. Calf crop percentage
cattle
and people, (2) less stress on cattle and people, increased from 85 percent in the first year of the
(3) an ease of working that will prevent cattle work
program to 93 percent in the fifth year. Changes in
ing from becoming a dreaded job and (4) a total cattle the winter feeding program alone did not cause this
management program that can be easily carried out increase, but it did play an important role.
on the herd. Points to consider for working facilities
are location and design of pens, gates, chutes, alleys Forage Management Practices
and restraint equipment.
Purchasing Hay Rather Than Growing and
Working facilities do not have to be expensive and Harvesting Hay
elaborate. Working facilities drawings are available
from a number of different sources. Visiting existing The decision to purchase hay rather than growing
working facilities is recommended to see how they are and harvesting hay is an important one for the pro
designed and how well cattle flow through the facility. ducer with a small cowcalf herd. With time being a
With just about every facility, the cattle producer critical factor, this producer may not be able to cut
hay at the optimal time for hay quality, equipment • Are current technological developments
repairs can be costly in terms of money and time and likely to make the machine obsolete in the
weather sometimes doesn’t cooperate. The goal is to near future?
get the hay quantity and quality needed for his/her • Are you likely to change production practices
herd in the barn. or farm size in the near future and no longer
need the machine?
The question of buying or making hay for beef
cows is best answered by applying some simple eco Ownership (new or used) is the most popular
nomic principles of distributing fixed and operating method of acquiring longterm control of farm
costs over a variable amount of acres or cows. When machinery. By owning a machine, you control its use
owning equipment and buildings required to make and the quality of its performance, provide the labor
hay, a certain amount of the original investment is to operate it and assume responsibility for repairs
spent every year in fuel and oil, repairs, housing, and maintenance, liquidation and obsolescence.
interest and depreciation (ownership costs). Investment capital is tied up for a long period of time
when machinery is owned.
As expected, as more investments are required to
own haymaking equipment, additional cows or tons Joint ownership of machinery allows you to share
are required to pay for this investment. Also, the responsibility for investment, repairs and labor
weather,
disease or pest conditions leading to reduced and reduces ownership costs. It may generate enough
yields increase the total number of cows required to use to make ownership justifiable when it would not
breakeven with ownership costs. be profitable for either party to own the machine
alone. However, cooperation is absolutely essential.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying Hay – The parties must approve of each other’s work habits
As in many production decisions livestock operators and care of the machine, develop a system for sched
face, each alternative presents unique advantages uling use of the machine and agree on responsibility
and disadvantages and must be evaluated within an for labor and repairs. Most importantly, a written
individual farm’s or farm operator’s context. The most agreement should be developed with details of how
applicable advantages and disadvantages of buying the coownership will be dissolved in case of disagree
versus making hay are listed in Table 2. ment, termination of farming or death of one party
and include a method for determining the machine’s
value at the time of dissolution.
Owning the Least Possible Amount
of Equipment Exchanging work with a neighbor is another
With the exception of land and buildings, farm convenient
way to acquire the use of farm machinery.
equipment can be the most significant financial Two or more farmers working together to share labor
expenditure for beef producers. Your choice for and equipment can reduce individual investments in
acquiring farm machinery will depend on your machinery and still have access to a complete system.
answers to the following questions:
Custom hiring is a popular method of gaining
shortterm control of farm machinery, particularly for
• How much will it cost to own and operate an
harvesting and applying fertilizer and pesticides.
item of machinery?
Custom services may be available from a neighbor, a
• What other ways are available for you to local dealer or a business specializing in custom farm
acquire the machine’s services? What are the ing that performs all types of field operations. A
expected costs? rental agreement secures the use of a machine for a
• How much capital will you need if you short period of time. Charges are usually made per
purchase
the machine? Can you afford that acre, hour, day, week, month or season with a mini
much of an investment? Can capital be mum charge, even if actual use is less than that
used more profitably in other areas of your specified
in the contract.
farm business?
• What are the income tax advantages of each Longterm leasing (three to five years) of farm
method? What is your tax situation? machinery is becoming more popular. Like ownership,
• Do you have the ability, tools and labor to leasing gives you complete control of the machine for
operate the machine and maintain it? the period of the lease. You are responsible for labor,
Table 2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying Hay
Advantages Disadvantages
No need to invest in haymaking equipment Dependent on custom operators or hay buyers
Opportunity to select from a variety of sources Dependent on market fluctuations
Can focus on the production unit (cows) Cannot control certain production factors
Local weather is not a major concern Indirectly affected by weather
Can specify a certain quality trait Dependent on tons required
Opportunity to use alternative forage source Dependent on regional options and volume
More acres are available to graze
repair costs and other operating expenses. At the end Knowing the specific rate of fertilizer to apply is
of the lease period, you have the options of turning an important part of soil management. Fertilizer
the machine in for a new leased machine, purchasing application should match the forage needs of the cow
it or returning it to the lessor. Farm machinery leases herd. Extra fertilization is not cost effective unless it
are typically available from commercial leasing is for producing hay to sell or additional grazing to
organizations,
farm lenders and machinery dealers. lease. A soil test analysis is a service available
through the local county Extension office and gener
Proper Stocking Rate ally involves taking 25 to 35 core samples (4 inches
deep) for each 20 acres of pasture.
Stocking rate is the most important grazing
management
decision a beef cattle producer makes. Stockpiled Forages
Stocking rate is the amount of land allotted to each
animal for the entire grazeable portion of the year. If Stockpiling bermudagrass and fescue for winter
a ranch is stocked to the maximum, then the slight grazing has become a popular forage management
est deviation (negatively) from the normal rainfall practice in Arkansas. Stockpiling can reduce winter
pattern will place the pastures and cattle in jeopardy. feeding costs by minimizing the amount of hay
When rainfall is below normal levels, the ranch that required to winter cattle.
is stocked to the maximum will suffer cattle weight
loss and pasture damage faster and more severely Bermudagrass – Stockpiling bermudagrass refers
than a ranch that is conservatively stocked. The risk to the practice of growing forage during late summer
associated with a conservatively stocked ranch is into early fall for grazing from October to December.
much less. Therefore, a conservatively stocked ranch Initiation of the stockpiling phase must begin in
fits the management style of most producers with August to produce acceptable forage growth. Old
small cowcalf herds. summer forage residue must be removed by close
grazing or clipping to a 2 to 4inch stubble by early
A number of factors must be considered when to midAugust. Apply 5060 lb/acre nitrogen fertilizer
establishing a stocking rate – animal species, size by midAugust, and allow forage growth to accumulate
and physiological stage, size of the pasture or ranch, until late October to early November.
number of grazeable acres and management risk
level. Ranches differ in annual rainfall, forage pro The optimum temperature range for the growth of
duction, forage species, brush cover, topography, bermudagrass is 85º to 95º F. Getting the stockpiling
water distribution and kind of livestock. All of these process started in early to midAugust takes advan
factors affect stocking rates. When establishing a tage of warm temperatures and allows time for
stocking rate for cattle, very brushy areas, steep growth accumulation before cool autumn night
areas and areas too far from water must be excluded temperatures
slow grass growth. Forage production
to determine the number of grazeable acres. can be variable due to sporadic late summer rainfall.
An early start date also maximizes chances of getting
Over the short term, a heavy stocking rate may rain on fertilized fields.
lower forage quality by removing green foliage and
forcing animals to consume more plant stems and Extension conducted 13 stockpiled bermudagrass
dead standing forage. Over the long term, a heavy demonstrations across the state as part of the 300
stocking rate removes almost all edible forage so that Day Grazing Program. To determine the value of
only immature plants remain. While this immature stockpiling, comparisons were calculated based on the
forage is high quality, there isn’t enough of it. Long value and quality of hay and animal performance on
term overgrazing puts grazing pressure on immature each demonstration farm. Cost of fertilizer for the
plants, which will lead to the weakening of the plants stockpiled forage was compared to the cost of hay and
and loss of grass stands. In grazing, both forage qual supplement that would have been required to replace
ity and forage quantity are important, and both affect the stockpiled bermudagrass during the time the
livestock productivity and net profits. stockpiled forage was grazed. Other costs, such as
labor, feeding equipment or hay storage, were not
Stocking the ranch to ensure ideal animal included in cost savings estimates. Savings were
performance
and maintaining pasture productivity calculated
on an animal unit (AU) basis to allow
becomes a skill as well as an art a producer learns comparison
across farms.
over time.
Estimated savings compared to the cost of hay
ranged from $10 to over $84 per animal unit. The
Soil Tests average savings per animal unit for stockpiled
Hay meadows are fertilized each year to improve bermudagrass were $11.75 (20082009), $42 (2009
yield and forage quality. Fertilizing without a soil 2010), $51.94 (20102011) and $67.20 (20112012),
respectively. Stockpiled bermudagrass was an eco
analysis can be expensive and wasteful. A soil test
nomical practice in all demonstrations even during
analysis report provides an estimate of available
years with poor fall growing conditions. It should be
nutrients in the soil along with a fertilization recom
restated that estimates do not include additional
mendation. The fertilization recommendation is based
costs associated with feeding hay. Savings estimates
on soil test levels, the forage species being estab would have likely been greater with inclusion of
lished or maintained and desired production level. those costs.
Fescue – Tall fescue pasture has both advantages one strip ahead to prevent the cattle from moving
and disadvantages. One of the primary advantages of across the field each time a new strip is offered. Only
tall fescue over other coolseason forages is the one wire needs to be moved each time in a “leapfrog”
amount of forage produced during the fall that can be fashion to provide a fresh strip of forage. The field
stockpiled and grazed during winter. Fescue managed should be grazed starting at the livestock’s water
for fall growth outyields sodseeded annual ryegrass source. This reduces trampling damage to the remain
or small grains during the same period. Up to one ing forage, because the cattle travel back across the
third of the annual yield of fescue is produced during grazed area for water. A back wire is not needed when
the fall, and the leaves withstand damage from cold grazing dormant stockpiled forages. In Arkansas
weather much better than many other types of demonstrations, strip grazing management doubled
forage.
Leaves remain green after early winter the number of AU grazing days per acre compared to
freezes and retain forage quality well. continuous grazing of the entire stockpiled pasture.
Stockpiled fescue can significantly reduce winter Rotational or strip grazing can allow limit
hay and feed costs. Through stockpiled fescue demon grazing
of winter annuals. Forage quality of winter
strations in the 300 Day Grazing Program, winter annuals often exceeds requirements of cows. Limit
costs were reduced an average of $47.25 per animal grazing makes use of the highquality forage as a
unit. The greatest savings documented was supplemental feed and stretches short hay supplies
$83.50/AU, which came from a farm that stripgrazed during late winter.
stockpiled fescue/white clover and did not have to
apply N fertilizer. The average savings per animal Rotational/Controlled Grazing
unit for stockpiled fescue were $42.32 (20082009),
$54.82 (20092010), $45.43 (20102011) and $46.36 Rotational or controlled grazing can potentially
(20112012), respectively. increase forage availability over a continuous grazing
system by 10 to 35 percent. Because of the increase in
Samples of stockpiled fescue showed a range in forage availability, several management options to
quality between October and March from 9.7% to potentially increase profitability become available.
34.6% CP and 51.9% to 84.9% TDN (Figure 1). These options include increasing the number of cattle
on the farm, grazing flexibility, harvesting excess
Figure 1. Arkansas Reducing Winter Feed Cost forage
as hay, reduced input costs and time savings.
Demonstrations (20022006)
Controlled grazing management systems
emphasize
providing adequate forage availability and
forage quality to meet the nutritional needs of beef
cattle, promoting forage stand persistence and species
diversity. With controlled grazing management sys
tems, the producer decides when a pasture has been
grazed close enough without negatively affecting ani
mal performance. At this point, cattle can be moved
to a new pasture that will provide increased forage
availability. With this system of grazing a pasture for
a period of time and then resting it while cattle are
grazing other pastures, forage regrowth can occur.
Each farm differs in soil type, availability of
Management for stockpiling fescue is simple. At water, forage species, pasture condition, availability
least 30 to 40 percent of the field should be fescue. of labor, slope of land, type of livestock enterprise,
General
recommendations for stockpiling fescue are etc. The most important factor in ensuring grazing
clean off old spring and summer fescue growth by management success is the ability and interest of the
late August, soil test to determine fertilizer need, producer. No single grazing management system is
apply 50 to 60 lb N per acre around midSeptember right for every producer.
(before fall rains) and defer grazing until December.
Some have the perception that rotational grazing
is only for producers with large cowcalf herds graz
Strip Grazing – Proper grazing practices can
ing large paddocks or pastures. This is not true. Pro
extend the grazing period for stockpiled forages. Strip ducers with small cowcalf herds grazing small pad
grazing is often used for stockpiled forages and can docks or pastures can experience every advantage
offer the highest utilization of the pasture. A single offered by rotational grazing. Improving grazing
electric wire can be placed across the field to allow a management
demonstrations were conducted on large
strip of pasture large enough for a two to threeday farms (600 acres), moving calves daily, as well as
allotment of forage for the herd. As cattle graze down small farms (50 acres), moving cows two times a
the first strip of forage, the wire can be advanced month. Once cows are trained to a grazing manage
across the field providing fresh strips of forage as ment system, moving cattle from one paddock to
needed. Some producers have found that two wires another is quite simple and requires a minimal
work well for strip grazing. One wire holds the cattle amount of time. For producers with a small cowcalf
in the strip being grazed, and the other wire is placed herd, rotational grazing can provide quality forages,
the best nutrition available for the cow herd, • Extended life – Unlike barbed wire or woven
improved cattle performance and time savings. wire, electric fence is a psychological barrier
and is, therefore, expected to have a greatly
Electric Fences extended service life. The life of old fences can
be considerably extended using electric fencing.
Fencing technology has drastically improved over • Universal application – Electric fencing will
the last 25 years. There are no “right” fence styles or contain all types of animals. Educated stock
types for all operations or situations; it is a matter develops greater respect for electric fencing
of preference. Economics must be considered when than for any other type of fence.
building, replacing or mending fences. Many produc • Flexibility – There is no quicker or easier way
ers shy away from electric fences in favor of the to effectively subdivide a paddock for con
fivestrand barbedwire or wovenwire fence with trolled grazing than with an electric fence.
metal Tposts. Today, hightensile electric fences are • Low maintenance – Once the fence is proper
generally more economical because they tend to be ly installed and the stock are trained, the
less expensive and are easier to install and maintain. maintenance requirements of electric fences
are less compared to conventional fences.
The cost of materials for one mile of hightensile • Less stock damage – The shock from electric
fence is site specific. Factors to consider are corner fence causes no physical damage. If livestock
posts, terrain and the type of animals to keep in or are forced through the fence by bushfires or
fence out. In Arkansas demonstrations, cost of instal dogs, they are at less risk to injury than with
lation of electric fence has averaged $0.32 per foot. a conventional fence.
Cost includes an energizer, ground rods, posts, wire
and insulators. Electric fences can be a very useful tool for
livestock producers. Subdividing pastures, ease of
The cost of a fivestrand barbedwire fence (fence maintenance, reduced building and maintenance
and metal Tposts) is approximately two to three costs, fewer beef cattle fencing injuries and time sav
times more per mile than a hightensile fence, and ings are just a few rewards for using electric fences.
the cost of a wovenwire fence with two strands of
barbed wire on top is two to four times more per mile For more information on the management
than a hightensile fence. These estimates do not
practices listed above, contact your local county
include corner posts, braces or labor. Extension agent.
Whether building permanent fences with References
hightensile steel wire or temporary electric fences
with polywire, an electric fence is not finished until Edwards, E., and V. M. Meyer. 2001. Acquiring Farm
animals have been trained to respect it. The training Machinery Services: Ownership, Custom Hire, Rental,
area should be a small paddock. Keeping the area Leasing. Iowa State University. PM 787.
small will reduce the time it takes animals to learn Jennings, J. Extending the Bermudagrass Grazing System.
about the fence. It will also minimize the time needed University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
to gather and return animals that get out during Jennings, J. Results of County Stockpiled Fescue
training and reduce the time required to build and Demonstrations.
University of Arkansas Division of
mend the training fence. Agriculture.
Jennings, J., K. Simon, P. Beck, S. Gadberry, S. Jones,
Temporary electric fences are a great tool to T. Troxel and D. Philipp. 2012. Grazing Stockpiled
subdivide pastures. Pasture subdivisions for Forages
to Reduce Hay Feeding During Fall and
rotational grazing can extend the grazing period for Winter.
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
stockpiled forages, rest/rotate those hardhit areas, FSA3133.
change livestock distribution to graze previously Lyons, R. K., and R. V. Machen. 2001. Stocking Rate: The
ungrazeable areas and stop animals from overgrazing Key Grazing Management Decision. Texas Agriculture
or spotgrazing. Extension Service. Texas A & M University. L5400.
NAHMS. 1997. Reference of 1997 Beef CowCalf Manage
Advantages to electric fences are: ment Practices. National Animal Health Monitoring
System, Fort Collins, Colorado. Part 1:25.
• Low cost – An electric fence can perform the
Troxel, T. R., K. S. Lusby, M. S. Gadberry, B. L. Barham,
same task as a conventional fence using much R. Poling, T. Riley, S. Eddington and T. Justice. 2006.
less material. The Arkansas Beef Industry – A SelfAssessment. The
• Easy to build – Less wire strain and Professional Animal Scientist 23:104115.
generally lighter construction make much United States Department of Agriculture. 2006. Statistics
quicker and easier construction, especially in Service. National Agriculture Statistics Service.
difficult terrain. http://www.nass.usda.gov/ar/.
Printed by University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Printing Services.
DR. TOM R. TROXEL is professor and associate department head, Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and
and KENNY SIMON is program associate forages, Department of June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Rock. Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligi
ble persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age,
disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status,
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