05/19/05 Twice over grazing

Twice-over Grazing I have mentioned before that livestock producers market grass. Well here is one grazing system that may give producers more grass. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be right back with some comments. Lee Manske, a range scientist with North Dakota State University, recently talked to ranchers in Pendleton, Oregon about his twice-over grazing system. Manske believes grasses and herbivores belong together and grasses' reproductive mechanisms respond to proper grazing. In Manske's grazing plan livestock use the grass first during the period three and one-half leaves have developed until flowering. At this time cattle use only 25% to 30% of the new growth until they are moved to new range. Grazing at this stage removes growth-inhibiting hormones and stimulates the plant to produce more tillers. Later in the year the same pasture can be used again and cattle can harvest up to 50% of the new production gained during the non-grazing period. Records from Manske's grazing system show calf weaning weights have increased on ranches using his plan. Manske believes proper use of available resources will let producers show a profit even in low calf price years. Manske worked on ranches and cowboyed on them before earning his bachelor and doctorate degrees. Since then he has developed over 700 grazing plans for producers in seven states including Oregon. Seems like Lee Manske's system may be interesting to study a little more. For more information go to "The American Rancher" at aginfo.net. I'm Jeff Keane. Capital Press 5/6/05