Demonstration of Management Intensive Grazing Systems for Dairy Production

According to the 2002 agricultural census, the number of dairies in the state of Maryland declined 25% since the 1997 census. As the average herd size of dairies increases, smaller dairies must consider alternative management strategies to remain viable. One such strategy is management intensive grazing (MIG), designed to improve pastures and forage resources to support the majority of herd nutritional needs. MIG reduces dependence on off-farm feed inputs and helps achieve more of a nutrient balance or closed system. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate and encourage the adoption of MIG within dairy production systems as an approach to protect or improve water quality, soil quality, and grazing land health while sustaining productivity and the economic viability of dairies. Results from forage trials will be used to maximize forage benefits for animal nutrition and nutrient uptake within MIG systems.