Developments in Grassland 5 Year Management Plan for Beef Farm in America by Chase Clausen https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f The objective of this padlet is to create a grassland management plan for my family beef operation. en-us 2020-02-11 20:36:50 UTC 2023-03-02 20:27:36 UTC hello@padlet.com Introduction chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444519094 The core of any successful operation no matter the species, is a well maintained system around it. Whether that be knowledge of the livestock, to the actual resources used to raise it. In the case of a grass-fed beef operation, it it crucial to have a well maintained grassland. Ensuring that our grassland is healthy will ensure a healthy herd of beef cows. Managing the pasture's growth leads to a better idea of the goals and opportunities that are available for your operation. Today I have presented a SCOT analysis of my personal beef operation along with a 5 year plan to increase to efficiency and prosperity of my grasslands back in the United States of America. ]]> 2020-02-12 17:53:57 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444519094 Strengths chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444522658
  • Plenty of acreage 
  • Access to materials and supplies
  • Young farmer (32 yrs old)
  • Capital available
  • Strong local beef market in area 
  • Education (Agriculture Economics Degree)
  • Member of American Beef Association
    • ]]>     2020-02-12 17:58:01 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444522658     Challenges chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444524040
  • Knowledge of grass operations  
  • Time available 
  • Equipment currently in place on farm
  • Breeding stock quality
  • Rations and nutrient availability 
  • Cost of infrastructure
    • ]]>     2020-02-12 17:59:36 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444524040     Opportunities chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444524752
  • Farmer is eager to learn
  • Ability to expand operation
  • Local consumers to market grass fed beef
  • Attend Grass-fed beef conventions
  • Tour local farms
  • Grass measurement tools available 
  • Electronic management systems being used with other species on farms
    • ]]>     2020-02-12 18:00:19 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444524752     Threats chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444527908
  • Market pressures and trade potential
  • Weather (Extreme cold winters and hot summers)
  • Lack of rainy season
  • Quality labor
  • Predators of livestock
  • Diseases
  • Pests/insects
  • Dietary Changes
    • ]]>     2020-02-12 18:03:57 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444527908     Objective chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444530558 My grass management plan will allow our operation to increase the tonnage per acre of grass and increase to quality of the cattle that we raise on it. Being smarter about what goes on during the growing season can help lead to happier and healthier cows. Along with the increase in data and tonnage, we also plan to increase the stock size and the operational system that we currently use while grazing.]]> 2020-02-12 18:06:49 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444530558 Current System chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444532909 My operation consists of 120 acres of pasture ground with 50 head of cows for our cow-calf operation. The pasture is a mixture of fescue and alfalfa. The cows stay on grass during the spring, summer and fall months. During winter they are moved to a feedlot due to extreme cold winters in northern Illinois. The cattle operation is a side business for our main enterprises of hogs and grain. We currently don't collect any data for the pasture in terms of tonnage or quality. ]]> 2020-02-12 18:09:26 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444532909 Year 1 Plan chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444534114
  • Obtain equipment to measure grass
  • Begin measuring grass tonnage to keep records 
  • Split open pasture into multiple paddocks
  • Soil test
    • ]]>     2020-02-12 18:10:51 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444534114     Year 2 Plan chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444535901
  • Compare recordings of previous years tonnage to determine averages and base lines
  • Soil test 
  • Create rotational grazing paddocks
  • Measure grass levels weekly during grazing season
    • ]]>     2020-02-12 18:13:02 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444535901     Year 3 Plan chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444575404
  • Increase herd size to maximize potential usage of current system
  • Replace current old fencing with new electric 3 wire fencing
  • Re-Seed north side pasture with new blends
  • Soil test
    • ]]>     2020-02-12 18:59:58 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444575404     Year 4 Plan chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444576560
  • Increase acreage from 120 acres to 200 acres
  • Increase cow herd size to capacity of 100 head
  • Install automatic waterers in each paddock 
  • Soil test
  • Explore more local markets for local raised beef
    • ]]>     2020-02-12 19:01:23 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444576560     Year 5 Plan chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444577484
  • Re-Seed south side pasture with new blends
  • Evaluate previous 4 years of data to determine area of growth
  • Soil test
    • ]]>     2020-02-12 19:02:30 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444577484     Conclusion chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444675153 After taking a real hard look at our current operation and where we would like to go, we can see there is a lot of room for growth. Collecting data of the grass and the herd will ensure a strong future for this beef operation. ]]> 2020-02-12 21:22:45 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/444675153 5 Year Plan chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/445093845 2020-02-13 16:15:22 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/445093845 SCOT Analysis chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/445096468 2020-02-13 16:18:46 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/445096468 Geographic Location chase_clausen1 https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/445113412 2020-02-13 16:39:24 UTC https://padlet.com/chase_clausen1/lv41t9jmmo0f/wish/445113412