Red Devon Adaptive Grazing 9.09.16

Lesson 1

Dirt Rich or Dirt Poor?Allen R Williams, Ph.D.Grass Fed Insights, LLC1

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Start With the Foundation:

Healthy Soil

The Soil is Alive!!5

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90% of soil function is mediated by microbes.

Microbes depend on plants.

So, how we manage plants is critical. 7

Plant growth & health highly correlated with how much life & what kind of life is in the soil!Microbes Matter!!!Microbial community structure crucial.Highly ImportantFungi to Bacteria ratioPredator to Prey ratio8

9Optimum Soil HealthType of Organism number/acre lbs/acreBacteria 800,000,000,000,000,000,000 2,600 Actinobacteria 20,000,000,000,000,000 1,300Fungi 200,000,000,000,000 2,600Algae 4,000,000,000 90Protozoa 2,000,000,000,000 90Nematodes 80,000,000 45Earthworms 40,000 445Insects /arthropods 8,160,000 830Soil Food Web

9915 zeros Quadrillion 18 zeros Quintrillion 21 zeros Sextillion

Here is how much soil livestock there is in a healthy soil. 8000 lbs. What do they all do? I am pretty sure I cant tell you what they all do. I dont even know if I can tell you how many there are.

Can you tell me how many there are? 800 Quintrillion Bacteria. I chopped off 3 zeros so it shows 20 Quadrillion Actinomycetes but it really was 20 Quintrillion . I didnt figure you could pronounce the name so I didnt figure you would miss 3 zeros. I can tell you they are ALL critical to the soil health. For example Fungi act as root extensions. They attach to the roots and can extend 30-40 feet. Some of the others make minerals more available to plants. In effect they make the plant roots 40 feet long. Each one is like a link in a chain. If one is killed or destroyed the entire chain will not work.

So if we all have soil do we all have these microorganisms?????

Role of MicrobesProduce Glomalin Soil Glue. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)Glomalin creates soil aggregates vital to nutrient exchange and water movement.Reduces ponding and runoff.Without underground highways created by glomalin, crops require more fertilizer for same yields.Slows down rate of water entering aggregate.Soil aggregates are soil carbon vault. Stores carbon where slow-acting microbes live.

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Additional RolesFungal Hyphae:Help create fine roots More efficient at grabbing nutrients.Require less carbon as fuel (lower mpg).Unlock chemical bonds to release P, S, N. Fungi take up P 6 Xs faster than root hairs.Connect roots from different plants.Transfer N and other nutrients from legume nodule to non-legume root.

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10,000 50,000 microbe species in one gram of soil.Nutrient cycling services worth up to $20 Trillion annually!Worlds most valuable ecosystem!Soil livestock more numerous & diverse than tropical rain forest species. 12

Bacteria

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Pseudomonas

Mycobacterium

Bacillus subtillis

Actinomycetes

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Mycorrhizal Fungi

Interconnecting Mycorrhizal Mat

ProtozoaRegulate bacterial populationsMineralize nutrientsRelease NH4+ (ammonium)Nutrient cycling16

NematodesFour Types of Free-living nematodes:Bacterial FeedersFungal FeedersPredatory nematodesOmnivoresBeneficial nematodes help control disease & cycle nutrients.Stimulate prey populations.Disperse microbes.Food source higher predators.Disease suppression & Development.

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Natures recyclers and Purifiers

Soil Health Indicator Species

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Insects/Arthropods

20Mites

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Earthworms

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23Dung Beetles

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I Tunnelers

II Dwellers

III Rollers or Tumblers

Dung Beetles

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Pollinator Insects

Soil Food Web(Soil Livestock)Photos: Soil Biology Primer

Enlarged Soil Aggregates

Glomalin and hyphae Dr. Kris Nichols, Microbiologist, ARS, Mandan, ND

The Aggregate: Lungs of the soil

Pore Spaces Are Essential For Biology And Water Infiltration

Soil TestingSoil Fertility or ChemistrySOM, pH, CECMacro- and Micro-NutrientsBase Saturations/RatiosSoil Biology PLFA AnalysisTLMB, Group Diversity IndexGram+ and Gram- BacteriaFungi Saprophytic & MycorrhizalPredators Protozoa & Nematodes32

New Testing AvailableQuorum Labs, Eldorado, ILSoil FertilityAvailable and Bound ElementsOM, pH, CEC, Majors & Minors, Base SaturationsCO2Soil BiologyActive & Inactive fractions Non-sporulated & sporulatedMicrobial species specificationAnimal DNAPlant Tissue analysisPathologyWater QualityAffluent Testing33

In Field MeasurementsCompaction PenetrometerTemperature ThermometerWater Infiltration Double Ring InfiltrometerSoil NO3AggregationPlant BrixShovel34

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Measuring Water Infiltration Rates

Using A Penetrometer

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Can we control runoff with Organic Matter (OM)?2% OM will hold 32,000 gallons of wateror 21% of a Moderate to Heavy rainfall.

5% OM will hold 80,000 gallons of wateror 53% of a Moderate to Heavy rainfall.

8% OM will hold 128,000 gallons of wateror 85% of a Moderate to Heavy rainfall.

What do most NRCS structural practices do? Terraces, Grade Stabs, Waterways? Pl566 Watershed structures? They all try to get water off the field safely to prevent erosion and prevent flooding. What if all of our soils were back to presettlement levels of organic matter? Would we have the flooding and erosion problems? It is no wonder we have to build things to control runoff. Even with perennial grass and great ground cover to slow the runoff down our soils just wont hold the water.37

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Diminished Water Cycle

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Soil Temperatures

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FLIR Air Temp 96o

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AMP or AHSD GrazingAdaptive Multi-Paddock Grazing

Adaptive High Stock Density Grazing43

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Simulate Nature

Mimic Nature: Biomimcry/Ecomimcry

Nurtures Ecological Memory

Planned Multi-Paddock Grazing47

Texas

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GPS Collared Cows Grazing StudyContinuous GrazingWest Texas RanchCourtesy: R. Teague, TAMU

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Planned Multi-Paddock GrazingUnder Planned Multi-Paddock Grazing Practices Carrying Capacity Increased from 21 ac/cow to 9 ac/cow. Courtesy: R. Teague, TAMU

Mississippi FarmCase Study51

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Condition at Purchase

Starting Point

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Soil OM 1.3% to 1.6%Water Infiltration Rates < in/hrPlant Brix 2%Major forage species 3-4Stocking Rate 1 AU/6 acres54

Implemented StrategyBale Grazing 1st winter.High Stock Density/Short Duration Grazing.Long rest periods.Strategic use of microbial quorum sensing. 55

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Year 1 Grazing Season

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Grazing Weeds

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ProgressSoil OM 5.2% to 5.6%Forage species 43, including natives. Plant Brix Avg 15 22%Water infiltration 10+ in/hrStocking Rate 1 AU/1.5 acres. FREE ACRES!!!Significant increase in earthworms, soil level insects, pollinators, and wildlife.

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Diversity Is Key

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MonocultureDiversity/Complexity

Where Do Majority of Soil Microbes Live & Function?

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Microbe Home Soil microbes live and function in root zone.

Approximately 2/3 Of Your OM Increase Will Come From Roots!

Desired MixGrasses

Legumes

Forbs67

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Perennial PasturesGrassesLegumesForbs

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Keeping Cattle Out Of Ponds

Stockpiled Prairie

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Moving Cows to Fresh Stockpile

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Allens Fencing Rig

Pompeys Rest FarmSoil Destroyer to Soil BuilderDec. 2016 National GLCI Conference73

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Initial Pasture Condition

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After One Year of Adaptive Grazing

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Abundant Grass.

Chad Bitler, M.S.Agriculture Resource Coordinator (ARC)Email [email protected] (513) 898-3159Green Acres Research Farm: Cincinnati, Ohio

Chad Bitler, M.S.Agriculture Resource Coordinator (ARC)Email [email protected] (513) 898-3159Green Acres Research Farm: Cincinnati, Ohio

Chad Bitler, M.S.Agriculture Resource Coordinator (ARC)Email [email protected] (513) 898-3159Green Acres Research Farm: Cincinnati, Ohio Over 56,000 lbs. of biomass measured. No fertilizer. Steers gained ~ 3.0 lbs/day.Organic matter increased 0.20 % in 90 days.

Las Damas Ranch

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Neighbors PastureLas Damas Ranch

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Las Damas Ranch

BackgroundTypical 11 inch rainfall region. Last 4 years 10, 9, 8, 5 inches.5 years ago monoculture of tobosagrassNow = side-oats grama, blue grama, green spangletop, ..Run 1 cow/calf per 40 acres.FREE ACRES!!!Neighbor ranch runs 1 cow/calf per 200 acres. 84

Luis Robles Ranch Chihuahua, Mexico85

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Caterras Cattle Co. Chihuahua, Mexico

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Grazing management simplified

iPhone + iPad work in the field without cell receptionSync grazing records and GPS photos back to your computer

Does Grazing Strategy & Methodology Matter?

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Soil Carbon DataThree farms sampled in Mississippi:Fall 2014Farm Descriptions:AHSD Grazing for 5 yearsHigh Level Conventional Grazing ManagementCG Slow Rotation - 50+ yearsLow Level Conventional grazing managementCG Continuous - 30+ yearsAll same soil types

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Soil Carbon DataSoil pits dug in random locations at each farm. Same topography.Each pit 3 feet deep and 3 feet square.Collected soil samples within every 6 inch section. Noted root growth and structure.Noted soil life, texture, aggregation. 96

Soil Carbon Data Total Soil CarbonHorizonAHSDCG - RotationCG Cont.14.671.641.3624.001.881.3732.951.030.4042.041.020.5451.710.380.4061.420.410.34

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Soil Carbon Data Soil Organic MatterHorizonAHSDCG - RotationCG Cont.14.263.282.7223.223.762.7433.102.060.8042.982.041.0852.800.760.8061.980.820.68

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Soil Carbon Data Carbon Assessment Per AcreFarm DescripCarbon (kg/sq meterCarbon (Ton/ac)Carbon (Ton CO2 Equiv)AHSD12.6951.41188.13CG Rotation7.0928.71105.07CG Cont.5.4722.1681.09

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Principle of Disruption

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Flexibility is KeyAlter stocking densitiesDo not move through rotations in same patternAlter grazing heightsAlter rest periodsAlter species order103

There Are Good Ideas and Bad Ideas

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Todays Bad Idea

Seven SonsPer Acre Net Direct CostsCattle $663Pastured Pigs $701Free Range Eggs $3721 $5085Land/Labor Costs $ 881Net per Acre $4204

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Moving the Mob

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Batt Latch

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Livestock Impact

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Grass Fed Dairy

BRIXHigher Brix Result of improving SOM and soil microbial populations. 112

BRIXDissolved plant solids include sugars (such a sucrose and fructans), minerals, amino acids, proteins, lipids and pectins.

Higher Brix Result of improving SOM and soil microbial populations. 113

114Simple To Measure Can use either Optical or Digital Refractometer.

DigitalOptical

115Measuring Brix Sample Prep

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116Measuring Brix - Refractometer

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117ForagePoorAvgGoodExcellentAlfalfa481622Ryegrass6101418Sorghum6102230Fescue24712Bermuda2468

Brix Index of Common Forages

118Why High Brix in Forages?Research shows increase animal gains Increase Milk/components High Brix Forages are:More drought resistantFreeze tolerant,More resistant to plant disease and pests

References: (Moorby, 2001). (Moller, 1996).(Downing & Gamroth, 2007; Miller, et al, 1999). (Allison, 2007).(McKenzie, 2007).

119Benefits of High BrixMore Sugars, minerals, and proteins Less waterForages and crops will taste sweeter and be more nutrient denseEnhanced aromaIndication of nutrient uptakeHelps plants resist disease and insect infestationStored Forages & Crops Longer shelf life, better nutritional values, better flavor characteristics

Brix AdvantageBrix 5.0% or less = ADG in low 1s.Brix 8-12% = ADG in low to mid-2s.Brix 12 15% = ADG in mid-high 2s.Brix > 15% = ADG in high 2s to 3s. Every 1.0% increase in Brix adds 0.1 to 0.3 ADG. Going from 3% to 6% Brix in dairy pastures adds between 10-20% milk production.

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Impact of forage quality on ADG

Single Season Forage Brix Impact: AMP Grazing Vs. Conventional Grazing

Field Trial Location By StatePlant Brix (%)

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125Effects of Stage of Maturity on Pasture Composition

3 Lignin 7

Cellulose

Hemicellulose14 183023Minerals125

Sugars1025

103Lipid33Protein7

Early MaturityLate MaturityMid Maturity

126Effects of Stage of Maturity on Pasture Composition

3 Lignin 7

Cellulose

Hemicellulose14 183023Minerals125

Sugars1025

103Lipid33Protein7

Early MaturityLate MaturityMid Maturity

Sweet Spot

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Coffee County, TNLong Term No-Till on Left. Planted 2 weeks earlier. No Cover crop. Planted into rolled down cover crop

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What They DidCover Crop 8 Seed Mix Cereal Rye, Winter Oats, Triticale, Winter Pea, Hairy Vetch, Crimson Clover, Daikon Radish, CanolaRolled down Early May. Planted into 20K+ standing biomass. C:N ratio > 30:1. Planted using a Roller and JD Air Seeder. Lost all fear of biomass. If we can get it on the ground we can plant. Less than 5.5 inches rain from planting until August. 55+ days with 90-98 temp. Cover Crop Field yield 215 bu/ac. No-Till yield 160 bu/ac. 130

Illinois TrialCollected baseline data in Spring 2014.Planted complex cover crop into standing crop.Adaptively grazed cover and employed Quorum Sensing products. Followed with cash crop for 2015. Collected data again following 2015 harvest.

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Earthworm Castings and Impact in a Corn Field

2014 Data - Start of season (pre-test)

Soil pH - 6.5

Soil OM - 2.4%

CEC - 10.3%

Soil P (lbs/ac) - 145, Soil K - 252, Soil Ca - 3267, Mg - 178

2015 Data (end of season, August)

Soil pH - 7.3

Soil OM - 3.5%

CEC - 15.8%

Soil P - 190, K - 568, Ca - 5346, Mg - 405Cut N 55%133

Illinois Grazing Trial

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6 inches rain in two days. 2 inches rain night before

Penn State TrialsCompared 2 seed mix to 6 seed mix9 Year TrialGrazed both treatments the same RotationSoil C0.5 tons/Ha/Year1.8 tons/Ha/YearForage Biomasss31% more in 6 seed mix135

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Winter Stockpile Grazing

Value of Winter Stockpile Suggested Sample

TDN >60 65NDFd (30 hour) 60 - 70 62NE/L .65 - .70 .68 RFQ (Dairy) 140 - 170 179137

Thank you!

Chart10.60.91.31.61.92.22.52.72.933.23.233.25

ADGBrixAverage Daily Gain (lb/AU/day)

Sheet1BrixADG1%0.63%0.95%1.37%1.69%1.911%2.213%2.515%2.717%2.919%321%3.224%3.2326%3.25To update the chart, enter data into this table. The data is automatically saved in the chart.

Chart18.474.217.53.755.133.257.434.259.035.755.013.75

AMPConv

Sheet1AMPConvMS8.474.21LA7.53.75AL5.133.25VA7.434.25PA9.035.75KY5.013.75To resize chart data range, drag lower right corner of range.

Red Devon Adaptive Grazing 9.09.16

Science

Transcript of Red Devon Adaptive Grazing 9.09.16