Pasture Walk: Custom Grazing Dairy Heifers

July 9, 2019


Heifers are the foundation of a dairy enterprise, and raising replacements in confinement represents a significant investment. Grazing replacement heifers has potential to reduce the cost of replacements while improving health and productivity outcomes.

Join owner/operator Tim Virgil and CCE grazing educator Fay Benson for a pasture walk at a 40-heifer custom grazing operation. The program will cover all aspects of grazing dairy heifers, including:

• Understanding what dairy operators need
• Sourcing heifers
• Transitioning heifers onto pasture
• Grazing infrastructure and management
• Forage and mineral supplementation
• Economics of custom grazing
• Developing a good contract
  

This program is designed for dairy producers who want to learn more about management intensive grazing. It is also intended for custom grazers and other landowners interested in setting up a heifer grazing enterprise. Participants will:

• Learn about the production and economics of grazing dairy heifers.
• Consider whether this enterprise would be a good fit for them.
• Discuss proven management techniques with peers who have implemented grazing systems.
  

This is a free event. Please register in advance so we know how many people to expect. For questions, contact Mary Kate Wheeler by email at mkw87@cornell.edu


July 9 Pasture Walk Flyer (PDF; 708KB)