Many other factors must be considered when analyzing the feasibility of incorporating pastures into the feeding system. Most critical are animal access to the land, acreage available and ability to provide appropriate fencing. In order to utilize pasture land productively, it must be possible to create an adequate number of paddocks with lanes that allow animals to be moved easily. Intensive pasture utilization may reduce equipment needs, reduce quantities of feed purchased and minimize harvest losses. In addition to the specific considerations already covered, there are several management guidelines which should be followed regardless of the type of forage program utilized.
Cows have to be culled hard for production to avoid wasting feed.
The all purchase operation can't migrate toward being partially self-sufficient. This will result in increased machinery investment and then money will be spent for purchasing feed as well as financing equipment. Machinery inventory has to be kept to a minimum. Consideration should be given to not raising heifers. With the cost of purchased feed, heifers may be purchased or contract raised less expensively.