Watch the video on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYonskRUVTA
The slides from this webinar are available at the following link as a pdf file: http://cop.extension.org/mediawiki/files/4/41/Webinar_Kersbergen.pdf
Resources Mentioned in the Webinar
eOrganic Articles
- Maximizing Organic Milk Production and Profitability with Quality Forages, http://www.extension.org/article/24980
- Strategies for Extending the Grazing Season on Organic Farms, http://www.extension.org/article/18648
- Transitioning Organic Cows Off and On Pasture, http://www.extension.org/article/18675
NRAES Publications
- Animal Production Systems for Pasture-Based Livestock Production. NRAES 171. 246 pages (2008). Edward B. Rayburn, West Virginia University. Explores foraging behavior, basic animal nutrition, and parasite control for pasture-based animals with chapters devoted to beef, dairy, sheep, goat, and horse nutrition and management. http://www.nraes.org/nra_order.taf?_function=detail&pr_id=186&_UserReference=1710A945DBA0DF254CB71667
- Forage Utilization for Pasture-Based Livestock Production. NRAES 173. 185 pages (2007). Ed Rayburn, Editor. Essential information on grazing management and harvesting conserved excess forage for livestock produced in a pasture-based system; including chapters in fencing, watering systems, lanes and feeding pads; animal-handling facilities, and more. http://www.nraes.org/nra_order.taf?_function=detail&pr_id=161&_UserReference=1710A945DBA0DF254CB71667
- Forage Production for Pasture-Based Livestock Production. NRAES 172. 141 pages (2006). Ed Rayburn, Editor. Essential information on forage production, discussing: plant morphology, ecology, and management; soil fertility; nutrient management; impacts of grazing; pests, weeds, and diseases; and establishing forage stands. http://www.nraes.org/nra_order.taf?_function=detail&pr_id=160&_UserReference=1710A945DBA0DF254CB71667
- Managing and Marketing for Pasture-Based Livestock Production. NRAES 174. 116 pages (2006). Ed Rayburn, Editor. Essential information for producers to manage and market a goal-oriented forage-livestock system, helping them determine whether or not the business venture will be feasible, develop mission and goals, enhance marketplace knowledge, and better evaluate consumer demand. http://www.nraes.org/nra_order.taf?_function=detail&pr_id=155&_UserReference=1710A945DBA0DF254CB71667
Additional Resources:
- Northeast Grazing Guide, http://www.umaine.edu/grazingguide/
About the Webinar
One challenge with grazing the organic dairy herd is helping cows adjust to a new feed source in both the fall and spring. The switch from high-quality pasture to lower-quality stored feeds can be tricky—if the change is made too quickly, milk production can drop until the cows and their rumen microbes become accustomed to the new feed. In this webinar, Rick Kersbergen will provide an overview of rumen function and various rations. He will address the nutritional qualities of various homegrown feeds (including grains), what they can add to a cow’s diet, and the potential for milk production trade-offs.
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About the Presenter
Rick Kersbergen is an Extension Professor at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Rick has been conducting research and extension programs related to sustainable dairy and forage systems since 1987. He is currently involved with several multi-state, applied research projects on cover crops, organic grains production, and forage and nutrient management. He is past chair of the Northeast Pasture Consortium and manages the regional website as a compendium of grazing information for the region.
About eOrganic
eOrganic is the Organic Agriculture Community of Practice at eXtension.org. Our website at http:www.extension.org/organic_production contains articles, videos, and webinars for farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, certifiers, researchers and educators seeking reliable information on organic agriculture, published research results, farmer experiences, and certification. The content is collaboratively authored and reviewed by our community of University researchers and Extension personnel, agricultural professionals, farmers, and certifiers with experience and expertise in organic agriculture.
