Making the leap to 365-day grazing

Turning a seasonal grazing operation into a year-round grazing system may seem like a massive task, however, one rancher from the Vermilion, Alta. area says it's possible once farmers realize they don't have to bite off all 365 days at once.

"If you are at 200 days right now and can add five or 10 days a year, or if you can use five or 10 acres... that's a way to go about it," says Sean McGrath, adding if it doesn't work, then try it a little differently next time.

McGrath is a fifth-generation rancher and is a big fan of year-round grazing, which, along with environmental stewardship, he's been doing for many years.

Round Rock Ranching is located on native rangeland in an endangered eco-system, meaning McGrath always has to keep a sharp eye on grass conditions. He does controlled management of where the cattle are grazing and how long they are there.

Get your feet wet first

McGrath says it's important producers get their feet wet before jumping in to 365-day grazing by finding others already doing it. He suggests getting a touring buddy and visiting a few ranches who are doing extended grazing.

"Learn, explore, read everything you can find, be inquisitive, be creative and be careful," McGrath says.

McGrath adds it's important to remember every farm is different, so what works on one farm may not work on yours. Start with 365 grazing, he says, by considering the whole grazing system and the impact.

"Key questions you need to ask yourself: Does my calving season fit my grazing plan? Do my resources fit my grazing plan? Look at the whole system, do I have a mixed farm or do I have a crop resource that I can use that fit better for a system or a certain type of cow?"

He notes during the winter when the cows are eating snow, they will disperse and not overgraze one area, which is a huge advantage.

Winter watch

Dr. Melissa Moggy is a veterinarian with Alberta Farm Animal Care. She says it is very important to keep a sharp eye during the winter as to whether the livestock have access to feed.

She says it can be an issue if there is a buildup of ice on the ground.

“Even if we do have great grass underneath that ice they might not be able to access it,” Moggy says.

“So, one thing producers have to do is monitor the weather and that pasture, can they actually get to that grass underneath the ice.”

Moggy says it is important during the winter months to keep the cattle protected from the wind with either fencing or tree-lines.