NORWICH – Imagine thriving rural communities, once again dominated by successful family dairy farms. Dr. Jonathan Winsten, an agricultural economist and professor at the University of Vermont, thinks it’s possible.
How? Rotational grazing.
What is rotational grazing? It’s where livestock graze small sections of land for a short period of time – 12 to 24 hours – in cycles for a five to six month period, as opposed to being fed in a barn or let loose on a pasture.
Through funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Winsten and a team of experts from several different institutions are studying rotational grazing’s potential impacts on small to medium-sized dairy operations in the Northeast.
The group’s findings thus far: They argue it could be the savior of the family farm.
“Studies show it’s profitable,” Winsten told a group of over 20 local farmers and regional agricultural representatives Wednesday during a roundtable discussion at Fred’s Inn in Norwich. “The issue of expanding adoption of rotational grazing isn’t just a farming issue, it’s an issue for the environment and rural communities ... there’s a lot to be gained beyond the farm gate.”
The group is considering piloting a local farm to act as a rotational grazing case study.
Proponents say the practice allows each section of land to re-grow and retain nutrients, while being fertilized by the cows themselves.
According to studies the group provided, the results could include: lower feed and fuel expenses, better land, better water, healthier animals, permanent vegetative growth, decreased soil erosion, improved communities due to less manure spreading, and improved rural landscapes.
Currently, 13 percent of farms in the Northeast have adopted the practice. In Chenango County, one of the project’s focal points, 21 percent have made the shift.
The potential downsides for dairy farmers in Chenango County and elsewhere are: lower milk production, difficulty affording monthly payments during the transition, getting used to a more intensive farm management style and learning how to utilize rotations in limited space.
“There’s a whole host of variables that are scary,” said Troy Bishop, an Oneida County farmer who’s cows have been grazing on rotation for over 20 years. “It’s a process ... it takes time.”
Bishop and others said there’s also pressure from agri-business and banking sectors to shy away from grazing, since it doesn’t require as much spending.
Another major challenge is the perception that it’s not profitable, because milk production is likely to go down. However, Otselic grazer Jim Gardiner said farmers have to stop focusing on milk production numbers and re-focus on profit margins – the sales versus the cost.
“Per dollar invested, it’s a huge increase,” he said, because grazers don’t rely on as many services or as much equipment, since the cows do much of their own feeding and fertilizing.
High fuel and feed costs would seemingly make grazing appear more appealing, some argued. However, Winsten pointed out that those factors are driving more family farmers to either get bigger – where risks and investment are much higher, considering volatile milk prices – or to leave the industry all together.
“How do we keep them from exiting (the dairy industry),” he asked.
The key, members of audience and presenters agreed, is dedicated peer mentoring and education from experienced farmers, as well as providing real proof – success stories – not studies, that rotational grazing can work.
Bishop said it’s vital that experienced farmers lend their support.
“The people part of this equation is the most important aspect,” he said. “It’s really a family thing.”
Winsten’s group wants to “get the ball rolling toward change,” with the hope that this method of feeding “becomes the normal production system.” They plan to continue talks with area ag representatives to discuss a future program for the county.
Organic and meat farming is already conducive to rotational grazing, presenters said. They added that cows will last more milkings and require less emergency visits from veterinarians, as a result of foot and leg problems.
Bruce and Liz Vermeulen are former dairy farmers who now own a 500 breeder sheep farm in the Town of Columbus. They rotational graze and raise lamb for meat.
As dairy farmers, they admitted is was challenging, from a nutritional aspect, to transform the cows from being fed to feeding themselves.
“For us, the rigidity of dairy was something that was hard for us,” said Liz.
However, as sheep farmers, they can’t see their operation working without rotational grazing.
“We’ve found our land has improved,” she said. “The grass has improved... our overall diversity has improved.”
Winsten’s project is funded by the USDA and administered by Winrock International, a global non-profit that focuses on rural development.