What is Winter Feeding and Manure Management
Winter feeding and manure management practices are intended to prevent areas exposed to heavy livestock traffic from experiencing excess manure and soil loss due to destruction of ground cover, and to manage waste where livestock are concentrated. These practices are considered as a final step in the conservation farm planning process.
Types of practices
Animal Waste Control Facilities
This practice provides a facility for the storage of animal waste so that stored waste can be returned to the land according to a Nutrient Management Plan.
Feeding Pad or Seasonal Feeding Facility
This practice provides a feeding pad which is a gravel or concrete pad that provides a stable area for feeding livestock and allows for the capture of manure.
Loafing Lot Management
This practice divides an area into grass lots where cattle are rotated, as necessary, to maintain adequate vegetative cover. A sacrifice area or loose housing facility is installed for use during periods of wet weather to prevent damage to the loafing lots.
Benefits
Reduce Pasture Damage
Pastures can become damaged in high trafficked areas through compaction -creating a muddy area with low forage. Overgrazing, especially in dormant seasons, reduces plant vigor and affects root reserves which reduces pasture productivity. Creating designated feed and waste areas reduces the damage to other parts of the farm.
Increase Forage Health and Reduce Weeds
Concentration of livestock in one area sacrifices that area to make the remaining pastures healthy. Keeping Livestock off other pastures can decrease pugging and over-grazing, which leads to increased forage growth and pasture productivity.
Increase Forage Health and Reduce Weeds
Concentration of livestock in one area sacrifices that area to make the remaining pastures healthy. Keeping Livestock off other pastures can decrease pugging and over-grazing, which leads to increased forage growth and pasture productivity.
Improve Herd Health
Overgrazing, concentrated feeding, and compacted pastures lead to mud. Muddy pastures create challenges such as foot rot or increased energy requirement to traverse muddy terrain. Feeding pads, or feeding facilities can help to manage mud and reduce injury.
Control Nutrients on Pasture
By using waste control facilities, the farmer is able to control the application of manure on pastures. Rather than having a concentration of nutrients around shaded areas or water sources, nutrients (manure) can be spread evenly on pastures or cropland increasing productivity.
Control Nutrients on Pasture
By using waste control facilities, the farmer is able to control the application of manure on pastures. Rather than having a concentration of nutrients around shaded areas or water sources, nutrients (manure) can be spread evenly on pastures or cropland increasing productivity.
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