This is the fourth webinar in a series of presentations about organic grazing, based on research projects funded by NIFA OREI and Western SARE at Utah State University and the USDA ARS Forage and Range Lab in Logan, Utah. This webinar will be presented by Ryan Feuz and Ryan Larsen of Utah State University.
Previous research shows that high sugar grasses and birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) monocultures have potential to increase dry matter intact and/or animal performance. However, the economic impact of using high-energy grasses planted in mixture with BFT for a grazing forage among organic dairy cattle has not been studied. There are many altruistic motivations for a dairy farm to engage in organic production practices (environmental, animal welfare, rural sociology, human health, e.g.), but very few dairy farmers can afford NOT to consider economic aspects of organic production as well. In this webinar, we discuss what the expected net annual financial impact would be for organic replacement dairy heifer operation using high-energy grasses and the tannin-containing legume BFT as its primary source of grazing forage. The financial impact is benchmarked against a conventional operation that feeds a total mixed ration (TMR) in a dry lot.
The first three webinars in this series can be found on the eOrganic YouTube channel:
- Pasture Mixes to Improve Sustainability of Organic Pasture Based Dairy: Nutritive Quality and Dry Matter Intake
- Effects of Different Organic Pastures on Heifer Growth and Development
- Economics of Grazing Organic Replacement Dairy Heifers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWrmNBtqiUs
About the Presenters
Dr. Ryan Feuz is a Post-doctoral Researcher in the Department of Applied Economics at Utah State University. His primary research interests include pasture and range management, livestock and dairy economics, and agricultural finance. He also teaches courses in firm marketing & price analysis and economic strategy.
Dr. Ryan Larsen is an Extension Economist in the Department of Applied Economics at Utah State University. He specializes in farm and risk management. He teaches courses in agricultural finance, risk management, and decision analysis.
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