The movement to promote rotational grazing of dairy cows is alive and well. But it’s not the “old school” grazing; this is grazing for the 21st century.

To better understand the status of grazing in the Northeast, let’s look at a survey conducted by Winrock International, a non-profit organization based at University of Vermont. Some 1,000 Northeast dairy producers responded to the survey, which asked farmers their likelihood of adopting grazing and what barriers they saw to doing that. Respondents fit into three groups:
1. Rotational or management-intensive grazing: The milking herd gets a fresh paddock every 12 to 24 hours, and cows receive the majority of their forage intake from pasture when available. (13% of respondents)
2. Traditional: The milking herd is often turned out on pasture when it’s available, but the farm doesn’t rely on pasture for a significant portion of forage intake. (46% of respondents)
3. Confinement: The milking herd doesn’t graze at all. (41%)

Of the respondents, the rotational grazing group was most satisfied with their operation, current profit level and overall financial progress over the last five years. They had lower input costs, such as veterinarian, feed, fuel and utility expenses. They also felt they could spend more time away from the farm.

The traditional or confinement dairies rated real and perceived barriers to grazing. These fall into the following four categories:

1. Income: Farmers were concerned that milk production will decline, lowering income. On average, milk production will drop, but so will input costs. Studies have shown that the cost of production will drop more than the hit to milk production. Look at profitability, not production. On the down side, if a dairy has a high debt load per cow – greater than $5,000 – reduced production, hence grazing, may not be an option.

2. Land Base: Traditional or confinement dairies are concerned about having the necessary land base. Generally, grazing does not increase the need for land. Reallocation must be done. When acreage is removed from row crop or hay production, feed is still grown but harvested fresh.

3. Work/Labor: The majority of farmers believe that starting and managing a rotational system requires more work and higher labor requirements. Certainly, grazing requires a different type of management and different strategies. But once stablished, grazing management often requires less labor.
4. Other Barriers/Risk: Farms are very susceptible to the uncertainties of nature and markets. Consider the effects on last summer’s hay production in drought areas, and the impact of rising fuel and fertilizer prices.
Dairies are especially at risk to management changes. Cows are creatures of habit; disruptions can cause problems. To limit upheaval, ease into management and system changes. Maybe you can start grazing young stock and work your way up to the milk herd.
Another barrier: The real or perceived opinions of family and neighbors can influence farmers’ decisions.

Making the transition into a new management system, such as grazing, on a dairy can be like starting a new career. Here are some tips that may ease the way:
• Visit dairies that already graze.
• Find a mentor who will answer your grazing questions.
• Work with a nutritionist familiar with grazing.
• Call on agency resource people such as those from NRCS, Soil & Water Conservation District and Cornell Cooperative Extension.
• Develop a prescribed grazing plan.
• Work with your financial adviser to develop cost comparisons.