Faulstich Grassland Management Project

2003 Report Faulstich Grassland Management Project
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Jim and Carol Faulstich of Highmore, South Dakota, began their fourth year managing an Intensive Grazing System. Using 320 acres divided into 21 pastures, 74 head of crossbred Red Angus, South Devon and Hereford 14 – 15 month old replacement heifers were grazed.
	The grazing season began on May 12, 2003 with the heifers averaging 886 pounds. The heifers were rotated through the 21 pastures twice in 111 days. The grazing season ended on August 30th with the heifers averaging 1035 pounds. On June 5th, 31 head of Red Angus, South Devon and Hereford cross cow/calf pairs were moved into the system to help harvest the smooth brome that was growing very rapidly. The cow/calf pairs spent 22 days rotating through the east side of the pasture in six pastures on 78 acres.
Jim applies different techniques to his grazing system to improve the ease of managing his system. The PVC pipe on the front of Jim’s 4 wheeler allows him the ability to drive onto the nylon fencing which eliminates opening gates. Jim easily moves cattle rub/mineral feeder and heifers at the same time. He commented that it takes approximately 15 minutes to move heifers from one pasture to another.
	Five hundred feet of above-ground pipeline was added this year to the west water line in the northern part of the pasture. This allowed for the placement of a water tank in paddock # 5. Jim places water tanks in pastures for optimum use. This water tank can be used in 4 paddocks easily by moving the nylon electric fence.
The Day Break Ranch was busy this year with two tours. The Ag Lenders Camp was held in Hyde county with bankers and appraisers coming from all over South Dakota and the surrounding states. Ag lenders and appraisers toured the Faulstich MIG site on June 10th. One goal of the camp was to help ag lenders and appraisers recognize the potential production of a pasture and gain knowledge in order to explore management options with their ranch customers.
	The 2nd Coalition Grazing Tour came to the Day Break Ranch on the afternoon of July 16th. Case Blom, a nutritionist from Platte, South Dakota, was one of the speakers at the presentation before the field tour. He spoke on matching livestock mineral needs to the forage resources available. There were approximately 75 producers and resource professionals in attendance.
Dave Schmidt, State Range Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Huron, South Dakota and Jim Faulstich discussed cattle and grass management. “By understanding ecological sites, plant species composition and monitoring use, ranches can make grazing management decisions based on the needs of both the grassland resources and the livestock,” stated Schmidt.
Jim was interviewed by "Today’s Ag" on August 29th. This program will be aired in 2004. Watch your local station Sunday evenings for more information on the Daybreak Ranch.