Grazing plans for the 2002 season at the Faulstich demonstration site were modified prior to turn in. Forage production on the 320 acre, 21 paddock system was less than normal because of dry conditions that continued from 2001 and extremely cool spring temperatures.

Monitoring activities completed about turn in time indicated:

• available forage was 1,100 pounds of dry matter per acre, a value 100 pounds below the 1,200 pound of dry matter production level at paddock change during the 2000 - 2001 grazing season,
• dry soil to a depths of as great as 16 inches, and
• low water levels in the dam and none in the creek.

Drought related preseason grazing management plan changes made for the 2002 season included:

• delayed turn in,
• reduction in stocking levels by 30 head,
• change forage utilization rate to
• take half of the year's production and leave half of the year's production
• one rotation through the system, allowing the paddocks almost a year of rest, if drought conditions persist (normal rotation = 2-3 grazing periods/paddock).

Other system changes for 2002 included totally discontinuing use of the dam and creek as a source of stock water. Water to all paddocks was supplied by above ground pipeline.

Seventy-six Red Angus and South Devon heifers were turned in May 24, twelve days later than 2001. Average weight at turn in (Paddock #20) was 822 lbs. Three bulls were on the system from June 14 - August 1, 2002.

Fecal samples collected during the early part of the grazing season indicated phosphorus levels provided by the forage were below levels that would promote the desired rate of gain. Based on the test results, Faulstich added phosphorus to his mineral supplement.

Faulstich continued with the one rotation even though he received almost five inches of rain in August and September.