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Maximizing Grass Growth: Efficient MIG Rules for Pasture Management

Discover key guidelines for Managed Intensive Grazing (MIG) to enhance grass growth, rest periods, and utilization rates in pastures. Dr. Dan Morrical from Iowa State University explains the importance of plant rest, proper rotation frequency, utilization rates, and paddock layout considerations. Learn about the impact of grazing intensity on forage utilization and practical tips for optimizing pasture design. Explore strategies for paddock layout, gate placement, and paddock shapes for effective MIG implementation. Find out how MIG systems can boost productivity, flexibility, and overall pasture health in a sustainable and cost-effective manner.

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Maximizing Grass Growth: Efficient MIG Rules for Pasture Management

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  1. MIG Rules You Need to Know Dr. Dan Morrical Iowa State University

  2. Grass Growth is Not Uniform • Manage supply • Increasing paddock # in summer • Warm season grasses • Hay field re-growth • Change stocking rate • Not very practical • Example short duration stockers

  3. The relationship between paddock number and plant rest

  4. Why rest is needed • Grazing animals are selective in what they eat • Preferred species are over comsumed • Weakens vigor and reduces composition • Allows invaders • Root system dies back with grazing

  5. How Often Should I Rotate? • Factors to assess • Animal needs • Stockers vs. dry cows • Time • Cell location, human resource • Stage of growing season • Fast growth - fast rotation • Slow growth - slow rotation

  6. Utilization • Varies from 0-100% • More paddocks = higher utilization rate • Balance is derived • Over use - slow re-growth and long rest • Under use - forage accumulation - decreased quality

  7. Utilization Rates by Grazing Intensity Length of % Utilization Grazing (days) of DM Available .5 75 1 70 2 65 3 60 4-7 40-50 10-14 35 Continuous 30

  8. Utilization Rate • Defined by the % forage consumed vs. forage available at turn in • Example 2000 lbs at turn in • 1000 lbs remaining at removal • 1000/2000 = 50% Utilization rate

  9. Paddock Layout • No perfect system Rule - square better 1. Improved uniformity 2. Less fence 3. Less distance traveled 4. Makes for easier clipping or baling

  10. Examples Improper gate location Central Watering Hub Central watering hub Center over utilized, light shaded area is correctly utilized and perimeter area is under utilized. Gate placement and watering design.

  11. Examples Water Water Darkest shaded area is over utilized, light shaded area is correctly utilized and the white area is under utilized. Alternative to wagon wheel design with poor water location.

  12. The grazing pattern and distance to cover paddocks of different shapes. R R Gate Gate

  13. Fencing sloped areas Incorrect method of fencing slopes Water lane Ridge Slope Bottom Correct methods of fencing slopes

  14. Getting Started with Paddock Layout Step 1 Pencil and paper and aerial or soil map Step 2 Flag proposed system Step 3 Check gate location and animal flow Step 4 Seek input Step 5 Modify Step 6 Build fence

  15. Successful Systems = Excess Early Forage • Layout paddocks with areas that are hayable separatel • If three or four hayable paddocks lay together, subdivide with temporary fence post harvest

  16. Sacrifice Paddock (s) • Why • Abuse small area vs whole pasture • Weather is not always perfect • Easy to get to • Easy to renovate • Many recover with more rest

  17. MIG Success • Flexible • Productivity increases over years • Labor is only an issue with location • Change mind set • Pasture is the cheapest feed source

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