THE MARKETPLACE CORRAL DESIGNS
HOLISTIC MANAGEMENT TRAINING & CONSULTING
Kirk Gadzia Certified Educator
By World Famous Dr. Grandin Originator of Curved Ranch Corrals The wide curved Lane makes filling the crowding tub easy. Includes detailed drawings for loading ramp, V chute, round crowd pen, dip vat, gates and hinges. Plus cell center layouts and layouts compatible with electronic sorting systems. Articles on cattle behavior. 27 corral layouts. $55. Low Stress Cattle Handling Video $59. Send checks/money order to:
GRANDIN LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS 2918 Silver Plume Dr., Unit C-3 Fort Collins, CO 80526
970/229-0703 www.grandin.com
MICRONUTRIENTS AND PASTURE FERTILITY
Kirk Gadzia has over 15 years experience conducting Holistic Management training sessions worldwide and assisting people on the land in solving real problems. With his hands-on, results-oriented approach, Kirk is uniquely qualified to help your organization achieve its goals. Introduction to Holistic Management Courses February 4-9, 2008 Albuquerque, New Mexico
Contact: Kirk Gadzia P.O. Box 1100 Bernalillo, NM 87004 kgadzia@msn.com www.resourcemanagementservices.com Ph: 505/867-4685
Fax: 505/867-9952
HANDS-ON AGRONOMY
BASIC SOIL FERTILITY GUIDELINES
Once liming, N-P-K and sulfur have been considered in terms of fertility, many producers raising pasture and hay would stop there. Some would stop even sooner thinking it just costs more than it could possibly benefit on grasses and legumes. All these nutrients are necessary and could be the most limiting for growth of the present crop. But it is a big mistake to discard micronutrients, or trace elements, as unimportant and unnecessary in order to grow the best grass. One of our best clients in Australia raises grassfed beef on 4,000 acres. After testing his land, he insisted there was no way he could afford even the lime, let alone everything else shown to be needed by the tests.That was 1994. Ultimately, he decided to take several paddocks and do what his budget would allow. After four years, he was saying the results were so positive that he could not afford to ignore the fertility program. From his success over the last eleven years, he said we should tell new clients to apply adequate amounts of major and secondary elements, including the trace elements, in the first year on whatever acreage you can afford.Then on the rest, just go as far as the fertilizer budget will allow until the program has proven out right there on the property. But why would this client from Australia urge us to do this? First he would tell you that his grass has gone from a multi-colored mix of green, yellow, purple, red violet and brown to a verdant green - from fence to fence. On my last visit there he still had one paddock of 160 acres that had not been corrected with these colors still showing in the grass.The gentle temperament of his 1000+ lb. Hereford steers with their bright eyes gleaming and shiny hair coats glistening in the sun seemed more like that of feisty young calves. Before beginning the program it took 15 months to put on the needed 600 pounds of meat per steer which the buyer expected. After the first six years, it was down to 12 months for the same amount of weight gain. But as we talked about this kind of success the cattleman revealed that this was not the greatest benefit now being realized.The steers were sold on dress-out percentage, and in the beginning that was 57%. Over that same period it had increased to 59%, which most would not believe possible for grassfed Hereford steers.This 2% netted him an extra $31,500 that year. And though we were recommending the use of trace elements that were limiting on the land, they were still not “in the budget.” With profits up, the micronutrients shown to be needed were purchased and applied. Last year he reported, “It took less than 10 months to put on the 600 lbs. per steer and that with a 61% dress-out average.” Time and again cattlemen will say that their fertilizer dealer has discouraged For consulting or educational services contact: them from the use of trace elements for grass production. And so will I - unless the soil tests show they are needed for that soil! If that is truly the case and you have the money, don’t let anyone talk you out of using them! 297 County Highway 357, Charleston, Missouri 63834
Kinsey’s Agricultural Services Phone: 573-683-3880; Fax: 573-683-6227 Email: neal@kinseyag.com
Or visit our website! www.kinseyag.com 22
IN PRACTICE
March/ April 2 0 07
Credit card orders (Visa, MC):KAS Sales, 800-621-2738 or Fax: 573-683-6227