Pasture Dairy Economics

• 2002 Michigan Dairy Grazing Farm Business Analysis Summary
• 2003 Michigan Dairy Grazing Farm Business Analysis Summary
• 2004 Michigan Dairy Grazing Farm Business Analysis Summary
• 2005 Michigan Dairy Grazing Farm Business Analysis Summary
• 2006 Michigan Dairy Grazing Farm Business Analysis Summary

Opportunities for Pasture Dairies

• A Comparison of Dairy Production Systems
• Grass_Based_Diry_Products_Challenges_and_Opportunities.pdf
• Opportunities_in_Grazing_Dairy_Farms.pdf
• Pastures_of_Plenty.pdf

Pasture Management

• 2012 Grazing Calendar (January - June)
• 2012 Grazing Calendar (July - December)
• Grazing Records Sheet
• A_Guide_to_Managing_Pasture_Water_-_Off_Stream_Water.pdf
• A_Guide_to_Managing_Pasture_Water_-_Stabilized_Stream_Crossings.pdf
• A_Guide_to_Managing_Pasture_Water_-_Stream_Side_Buffers.pdf
• Watering Systems for Grazing
• Grazing Management for Riparian Areas
• Cows, Streams, and E.coli: What everyone needs to know
• Acceptable Practices for Managing Livestock Along Lakes, Streams and Wetlands
• Using Pasture Measurement to Improve Your Management (Ohio State University)
• Estimating Pasture Forage Mass From Pasture Height (West Virginia University)
• A Falling Plate Meter for Estimating Pasture Forage Mass (West Virginia University)
• Using a Grazing Stick for Pasture Management (University of Kentucky)
• Grazing Wedge Calculator (University of Missouri)

KBS Pasture Dairy Center Workshops

The Kellogg Biological Station Pasture Dairy Center offers workshops for farmers, extension educators, students and others interested in pasture and dairy management, marketing of dairy products and other related topics.  Handouts from recent workshops can be found below.  Full DVDs of the workshops can be purchased for $15 each by e-mailing pasture.dairy@kbs.msu.edu.

Value Added Dairy Marketing (December 2009)

• Workshop Agenda
• Speaker Contact Information
• Presentations and Handouts
  • Developing a Value Added Marketing Plan for Your Dairy
    • MSU Product Center
  • Rules and Regulations of On-Farm Dairy Processing
  • Cheese on Wheels / Equipment for On-Farm Dairy Processing
  • Organic Dairy Marketing
  • Pasture Based Dairy Marketing

Nutrient Management for Small and Midsized Dairies (February 2010)

• Workshop Agenda
• Speaker Contact Information
• Presentations and Handouts
  • Whole Farm Nutrient Management
  • Reducing Air Emissions from Dairy Farms
  • MAEAP
  • Anaerobic Digesters
  • On-farm Composting
  • Manure Application
  • Pasture Nitrogen Fertilizer Management

Transitioning to a Pasture Based Dairy System (March 2010)

• Workshop Agenda
• Speaker Contact Information
• Presentations and Handouts
  • Dumping Iron - Equipment and Machinery Needs for a Pasture Based Dairy
  • Cost of Milk Production in a Grazing System
  • Transitioning a Cropping System for a Pasture Based Dairy
  • Cow Behavior During Transition to a Pasture Based Dairy - The KBS Experience
  • Cow Longevity in a Pasture Based System
  • Fencing, Water, and Pasture Layout Considerations

Pasture and Grazing Management (June 2010)

• Workshop Agenda
• Speaker Contact Information
• Presentations and Handouts
  • Grazing Behavior and Forage Selection
  • Forage Requirements of Grazing Animals
  • Pasture Layout and Facilities
  • Forage Characteristics and ID
  • Measuring Forage Mass