tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73387272213616423242024-03-05T22:01:24.131-08:00Grazing BestPracWE are a conduit for information flow between the grazing community, business, research, government agencies and other involved organizations. Our focus is to create exciting, proactive, highly successful rural families and communities, by means of training, facilitating, partnering and assisting individuals and groups to achieve extraordinary outcomes.Grazing BestPrachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900658208608901969noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338727221361642324.post-19155102558001204142019-09-27T03:34:00.001-07:002019-09-27T03:34:29.463-07:00Save our food and save our farms - reject deregulation of Gene Editing<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N-Nwc47AYuA" width="459"></iframe>Grazing BestPrachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900658208608901969noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7338727221361642324.post-21824758562301003292011-01-19T22:49:00.000-08:002011-01-19T22:49:33.928-08:00Grazing Management after the FLOODS!!!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Rest is your biggest opportunity</span></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtVLuh-x49YaNjLL7sDbJqdvYiX4eJFrG8U9PW3U6ELWjyvQk49x74LUVQbGLyP2YgyfSKJVR0m-IA2kRtQwA3aML_4AFbk2viQzoa8r-NnKv5uU7thgIk52vSi9sm8yUE4iN16xlGHCD/s1600/IMG_1199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtVLuh-x49YaNjLL7sDbJqdvYiX4eJFrG8U9PW3U6ELWjyvQk49x74LUVQbGLyP2YgyfSKJVR0m-IA2kRtQwA3aML_4AFbk2viQzoa8r-NnKv5uU7thgIk52vSi9sm8yUE4iN16xlGHCD/s320/IMG_1199.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We are in the midst of the most widespread flood event in recent history with central Queensland, the central west, southern Queensland and northern NSW all suffering to various degrees. Paddocks are drenched, pastures are stressed, emotions are high and still decisions need to be made for the future of stock and crops. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In the past few days, I have had many conversations with pasture and cropping specialists and graziers in the central Queensland region about how to get the best response from pastures which have been waterlogged and in some cases inundated for up to 20 days. This is a major issue across the region, which will affect most graziers and farmers to some degree. Very little is known about waterlogged pastures or the most appropriate action. And it is only the past few days that many producers have had the opportunity to even drive or ride around to inspect pastures and crops. I have had the opportunity to inspect several paddocks that have been both waterlogged and also covered in a layer of fine silt in the past few weeks. So, I believe it is important to understand what has happened and look at some opportunities for recovery. </span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">There are generally two types of floods. The first is often described as a "flash flood" which usually covers pastures from one to four days. The second is a"prolonged" flood which extends for five or more days of flood waters covering a pasture. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If plants are covered for more than a few days, they will die. </span></div><div style="margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">In a normal year, soils are generally friable and open with millions of air pores that supply oxygen to plant roots, soil microbes and insects. However, once pastures have been waterlogged for any period, the air pores in the soil reduce until eventually the microbes cannot source oxygen and the soil becomes anaerobic. Low levels of oxygen in the root zone trigger the adverse effects of waterlogging on plant growth. Waterlogging of the seedbed and inundation, most affect germinating seeds and young seedlings. Established plants are most affected when they are growing rapidly as root tips begin to die within a few days of waterlogging. The shallow root systems that then develop limit the uptake of nutrients (particularly nitrogen) and water. </span></div><div style="margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Nitrogen is lost from waterlogged soils by leaching and denitrification (degassing). These losses, together with the lowered ability of plants to absorb nutrients from waterlogged soil, cause the older leaves to yellow. Waterlogging also directly reduces nitrogen fixation by the nodules of legume crops and pastures. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 9.5pt;">Some native pastures have started to respond to the warm weather, but a slow response from many improved species.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">In a grazing situation, the flooded country is similar to coming out of a long drought as:</span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">Plants are stressed or dead</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">Fences are down or non existent</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">Stock are hungry</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">Pastures are struggling</span></span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Our first thought may be to open the gates and let the stock spread out across the farm to fend for themselves. However, the most appropriate action needs to be: </span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Mob the cattle up into as few mobs as possible </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Lock them into one or two paddocks. </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rest as many paddocks as possible</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Impact one paddock at a time with as many stock as possible</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Supplement if necessary as protein will be low</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It may be better to source agistment in the short term</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This may be a good time to reseed some paddocks if necessar</span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Due to the floods and prolonged rain period, the whole region has:</span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt 39pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: red;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Stressed pasture requiring at least 6 weeks rest</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt 39pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: red;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A shortened growing season</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt 39pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: red;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Reduced pasture yield</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt 39pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: red;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Less opportunity for free feeds</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt 39pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: red;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Stock walking weight off.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt 39pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There is a need to</span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Feed stock or agist if necessary</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Rest pastures and rotate stock</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt auto 0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Plan for the autumn and winter </span></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 6pt 0cm 0pt 39pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Cheers for now - Mick</span></div>Grazing BestPrachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11900658208608901969noreply@blogger.com0