Mastering Pasture Management with Grazing Stick: A Pro Farmer's Tool for Success

The grazing stick is a valuable tool for farmers to measure pasture dry matter and estimate the available forage for their livestock. Its importance lies in providing a quick, practical, and calibrated measurement system to assess the grazing potential of a pasture. While using the grazing stick, it's essential to take multiple samples from various areas to ensure a representative value of the pasture's dry matter. This helps account for variations in the pasture's growth and grazing potential.

How to Use a Grazing Stick:

Measure Total Forage Height: Use the ruler on the grazing stick to measure the total height of the forage. Subtract 3 inches from the total height to account for residual forage that should not be considered grazable material. To accurately gauge the average leaf height of the grass in trampled vegetation, hold the foliage upright in one hand, excluding stems and seed heads of tall grasses from the measurement for precise results. A good rule of thumb for large pastures is that grazing stick measurements should be taken at least 15-to-20 locations within a pasture. In smaller pastures, 7-10 measurements may give you an accurate measurement.

Measure Density: Slide the grazing stick through the plants, keeping it flat on the ground at the soil surface. Observe the number of dots visible on the stick, which corresponds to the pounds of dry matter per inch of height.

Calculate Estimated Harvest: Multiply the number of inches from step one (total height minus 3 inches) by the pounds of dry matter per acre inch. This calculation estimates how many pounds per acre the livestock can harvest.

Using the grazing stick help farmers have an accurate understanding of the available dry matter in their pastures. This knowledge is crucial for proper pasture management, preventing wastage of feed, and avoiding situations where the livestock may suffer from insufficient forage. By implementing short grazing and adequate recovery periods, farmers can successfully maintain a healthy grazing system that benefits both the livestock and the pasture's overall health.

For assistance and guidance on how to get and use grazing sticks effectively, contact Camila Lage at 607-422-6788 or cd546@cornell.edu 

You can also contact your local NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) office for a grazing stick. They also provide resources and support to farmers for sustainable pasture management and grazing practices.