Grazing Dairy Finds Plants that Work in Low Water Environments
Channel: Livestock & Poultry Environ. Learning Community
Date: 2015-06-16

More case studies at: http://www.extension.org/73057 Michael DeSmet watched his cows when they entered a new paddock and noticed something surprising - they liked weeds. Upon further investigation, he found out that the weeds they were selecting were high-protein, palatable, and could survive on very small amounts of precipitation. Michael was no stranger to making changes; he had already converted the family dairy operation into a grazing-based system selling milk into niche markets. He continues to examine forage options for his pastures that allow the farm to utilize limited water, extend the grazing season, and improve soil quality. [New Mexico] Recorded at Waste to Worth 2015 Seattle Washington.