As part of a comprehensive plan to re-invigorate dairy and livestock agriculture, the state is responding to a ground swell of interest in management intensive grazing (MIG). About one fourth of dairy farmers use some form of rotational or intensive grazing, allowing them to minimize cost of production and environmental risk. To capture those benefits, intensively managed grazing requires research, education and technical know-how.

Grazing is good for the environment, reduces labor and energy costs, and helps farmers keep more money in their pockets. About half of the state’s beginning dairy farmers are using grazing as a strategy for getting started because it requires less capital outlay.

This year, we expect a total of approximately $1.3 million for our grazing grant program from state and federal sources. A portion of the funding, $400,000 has already been allocated by the State of Wisconsin. An additional $950,000 is expected when the US Congress passes the 2008 budget. We expect these funds to become available in Spring, 2008. In anticipation of receiving them, we are issuing this call for proposals in two categories now: technical assistance and education. Our research call for proposals will be issued within the next few weeks.

All grants are part of the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, a national effort begun in 1991. Senator Herb Kohl and Congressman David Obey are credited with helping to secure the funds for Wisconsin. DATCP has been administering the grants since 2004. In 2008, the state of Wisconsin is also contributing to the fund for the first time.

2008 Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative grant opportunities:

Grazing grants for technical assistance and education
Approximately $900,000 will be awarded for technical assistance and education. Applications must be postmarked by February 13, 2008.
Request for Proposals Download file

Cover Page Download file

Budget Page Download file

Technical Assistance Grant Application Download file

Education Grant Application Download file

Grazing grants for research
Approximately $300,000 will be awarded for research. The call for proposals for research grants will be announced soon.

For more information, contact Laura Paine, Division of Agricultural Development, 608-224-5120 or laura.paine@wisconsin.gov.

For more information on the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative, visit their web site: http://www.glci.org/.

Following the discussion, Diane Mayerfield will cover Sustainable Ag Research & Education programs, particularly the Producer Grant program. Following lunch cooked by the Grant County Cattlemen, participants will load up for the station research and research update.

Featured topics include:
* Weed Control Update-UW Extension Weed Scientist Mark Renz
* Baleage as a Winter Feed Option for Beef Cows; View Pasture
Finishing & Sorghum/Corn Grazing Trials-Dr. Jeff Lehmkuhler, UW Extension
Beef Specialist
* Evaluating the Potential of Meadow Fescue-Dr. Geoff Brink, Research
Agronomist, US Dairy Forage Research Center
* Overwintering/Interseeding Demonstration-Tim Wood Lancaster Station
Superintendent

Cost for the program will be $10.00, including lunch. Please pre-register
via phone by August 7 to help us plan for lunch to: Rhonda Gildersleeve,
Iowa County UW Extension Office, 222 North Iowa Street, Dodgeville, WI
53533, phone (608) 935-0391 or email: rhonda.gildersleeve@ces.uwex.edu.

The field day will be held rain or shine, so please dress appropriately for
August Wisconsin weather and light walking. The UW Lancaster Research
Station is located approximately 5 miles west of Lancaster at 7396 State
Highways 35/81. Download flier

UWEX Grazing Website:
http://www.uwrf.edu/grazing/

GrassWorks Website:
http://www.grassworks.org/

Wisconsin School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers:
http://www.cias.wisc.edu/dairysch.html

Articles

Getting Started:
Transition to Grazing, Part 1 Download file
Transition to Grazing, Part 2 Download file

Grazing Economics:
Study Paints a Profitability Picture Download file
Profitable Practices for Graziers Download file

Pasture Species Selection:
Grass Species Selection Download file
Legume Species Selection Download file
Warm Season Grasses Download file
Broadleaf Perennials Download file
Pasture Seeding Mixes Download file

Management Topics:
Pasture Renovation Download file
Outwintering Download file
Frost Seeding Download file
Nitrogen Fertilization Download file
Stockpiling Research at UW Download file
Stockpiling: On-farm vs. Research Download file

Management Intensive Grazing (M.I.G.) has proven to be a uniquely cost effective Best Management Practice available to farmers in Wisconsin to reduce soil erosion, barnyard runoff, pesticide application, energy use, and manure storage needs, while increasing the wildlife habitat quality of farmland.

The GLCI grant program provides support for grazing specialists, grazing networks, workshops, and research projects in Wisconsin. The program is cooperatively administered by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

There are currently no funds available, but we expect to be able to offer this popular program again in the near future. Click this link to go to the GLCI Grant Program Website:
http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/arm/agriculture/land-water/grazergrant/index.jsp

click on this link:
http://www.grassworks.org/calendar.htm

To join your local Grazing Network, click this link:
Download file

We have two interest tracks within the group: Some producers have expressed interest in organizing into a cooperative to pool meat and access larger wholesale markets. The second group is interested in having a “Wisconsin Grass-Fed Beef’ label that they can use on their products. We feel that we can accommodate both.

A proposed approach is to organize a cooperative with a two tiered membership system. The primary purpose of the coop would be to organize a cattle raising system potentially with cow-calf, feeder, and finisher partners to pool meat and market it to institutions, restaurants, and other large buyers. A second membership category would entitle members who direct market their meat to utilize the Wisconsin Grass-Fed Beef label and would give them access to and benefits from the broader marketing effort.

Plans are to reconvene the group in fall, after the growing season, to move this effort forward. For more information about this project, contact:

Laura Paine
Grazing & Organic Agriculture Specialist
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
608-224-5120
Laura.paine@wisconsin.gov

or

Jeff Swenson
Livestock Specialist
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
608-224-5082
Jeff.swenson@wisconsin.gov

General Beef Consumption

The average American eats 67 pounds of beef per year.
Gender: men eat more beef (86 pounds) than women (48 pounds), with peak beef eating ages of 20-39 for men and 12-19 for women.

Consumers in the Midwest ate at least 7 pounds more beef per capita than did beef consumers from other regions.

Consumers from rural areas ate at least 9 pounds more beef per capita than did urban and suburban consumers.

Although the trend has been for consumers to eat more of their meals away from home, most of the beef eaten by consumers was purchased at retail stores and consumed at home (with the exception of hamburger).

Beef Traits of importance to retailers and consumers

An Iowa State University identified several traits of importance to consumers among beef production systems, including conventional, natural, organic, and grass-fed. The following downloadable file summarizes these characteristics.
Download file

Traits identified as appealing to consumers:
1. Food safety (disease, EColi, BSE)
2. Food safety (absence of hormones and anti-biotics)
3. Humane animal treatment
4. Environmental stewardship in animal raising
5. Enhanced nutritional value (CLA, higher nutrient content, lower fat)
6. Social issues (supporting family farms, local, etc.)

Traits of importance to retailers:
1. How the meat is raised.
2. Source identification, traceability.
3. Raised without hormones and anti-biotics.

Consumer Health Concerns

40% of consumers agreed with the statement: “I am concerned about the hormones and additives contained in meat or poultry.”

20% agreed with the statement: “I have increased the amount of meat and fish I eat because of the low-carb diet trend.”

17% agreed with the statement: “I have cut down on my red meat consumption because of food safety issues such as Mad Cow Disease.”

This same paper reported that many consumers are willing to pay a premium for beef labeled ‘natural’.

Purchasing ‘natural’ steak:
38% were willing to pay a 10% premium
14% were willing to pay a 20% premium

Purchasing ‘natural’ ground round:
67% were willing to pay a 12% premium
29% were willing to pay a 23% premium

Data sources:
Factors Affecting U.S. Beef Consumption, USDA ERS
The Natural Beef Market in the U.S., Kansas State University
Mintel survey, June 2004
A survey of specialty beef marketers, Iowa State University, August 2006

Compiled by Laura Paine, Grazing & Organic Agriculture Specialist, DATCP