Forage management practices used in production of US grass-fed beef

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective Management of forage resources is critical to ensuring animals destined for the grass-fed beef (GFB) market have access to quality forage needed for growth and development for acceptable meat products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the forage management systems and species used by US GFB producers, adoption rates of rotational grazing systems, producers’ perceptions of the profitability associated with rotational grazing systems, and the economic effect of intensive grazing systems on GFB production costs and profitability. Materials and Methods A survey questionnaire was mailed to 1,052 US GFB producers to examine forage management systems used in US GFB production. A total of 384 completed questionnaires were received. An ordered probit model was used to determine the types of farms and demographics of producers more likely to be involved in an intensive rotational grazing system. Results and Discussion A total of 59 different forage species and types were listed in the study. In all US regions represented in the study, the average and median farm reported use of 3 to 4 forage species or types in their systems. More than half of the respondents indicated rotational grazing increased farm profit by greater than 20% relative to continuous grazing. Implications and Applications The level of rotational grazing differed by region with producers in the Pacific region rotating the least relative to others. Producer demographics and farm size also significantly affected the frequency of rotation.