Educational projects included the Grazing Academy, which emphasized the practical application of controlled grazing principles and demonstrated fencing and water innovations. To eliminate hay feeding, however, ranches must be restructured so the cow's production cycle matches the forage cycle. The researchers note that more information is needed before they can actually recommend the management methods used in their study. Unfortunately, we are also the least profitable. He noted that profits are a consequence of production and costs.
Nutrition has the biggest impact on production.
What we're suggesting is a new way to supplement livestock, which has implications beyond feeding. Pratt and Ingram incorporated the research of ranching consultant Stan Parsons and ruminant nutritionist Dick Diven in their work. One of the ways identified to help producers get their livestock in synch with available resources is to help cows move from fall to spring calving, so that the animals can take advantage of the richest natural forage. The calving interval between spring calving cows of 1998 and 1999 was 357 days. The shorter the calving season, the more uniform the calves and the easier the management.