The Grazing Dairy Extension Support Program was established to help dairy producers interested in starting or continuing rotational grazing. The program held its first annual dairy grazers conference, three hay field events to teach quality forage production, and created a dairy grazers website. A Florida/Georgia dairy grazers group was formed that meets four times a year. The program has led to more acres of high quality forage like Tifton 85 Bermudagrass being planted and three dairy herds converting to rotational grazing.

1. Grazing Dairy Extension Support Program
Mary E. Sowerby*1 and Yoana. C. Newman*2
1Regional Specialized Dairy Agent;
2Forage Extension Specialist, Agronomy Department
Abstract Objective
j
High feed and fuel prices followed by low milk prices the past two years have caused many dairy
producers to re-evaluate their overall management styles. In Florida, grass forages will grow virtually
year around, giving dairy producers the option to eliminate stall and commodity barns, and lower To enable dairy producers desiring
labor by rotationally grazing cows. To assist current dairy graziers and those contemplating the
change, the Grazing Dairy Extension Support Program was established. The First Annual Dairy to start or continue grazing their
Graziers’ Conference was held in April 2009 at a new grazing dairy (with over 120 in attendance); three
hay field events have been held to teach how to produce quality and quantity forage (40 total cows to know and use the best
attendees); a 2009 Forage Calendar for Dairies was produced; and a dairy graziers’ website is under
construction. Al a Fl id /G
t ti Also, Florida/Georgia D i G i ' G
i Dairy Graziers' Group h b
has been fformed which meets f
d hi h t four ti
times forage types and management to
a year at grazing dairies. Besides learning new ideas from each other and Extension Specialists, the
host producer of each meeting receives constructive comments. A grant proposal has been submitted optimize their milk production and
to fund financial analyses for participants to use and compare benchmark factors. Impacts to date
include a substantial increase in acres planted in the best nutritionally available Bermudagrass, Tifton
economic goals.
85 (which has caused a shortage of planting material). In addition, three dairy herds have converted
(and are glad they have) to rotational grazing based on information learned from this program.
Florida/Georgia Group Meetings
Hay Field Day Events
Educational Methods
2010 Forage Calendar
For Dairies
Results Annual Dairy
Grazing Conference
More acres of better quality forage
planted and more grazing dairies.