Management Intensive Grazing
Is Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) for You? Converting A Pasture Into a MIG System
Matt Palmer, USU Extension Ag Agent, Sanpete County, Utah
Types of Grazing Systems
Continuous - one pasture with season long grazing
Rotational - 2-4 pastures with monthly rotations
Management Intensive Grazing (MIG) - 12 or more pastures with daily rotations
What are your grazing system preferences?
Continuous Grazing
- Lower structural costs: 1) Lower fencing costs and maintenance; 2) Simplified livestock watering system
- Less labor
- Lower production/acre; Pasture is often simultaneously over-graze and under-graze
Management intensive Grazing (MIG)
- Higher Structural Costs: Both fencing and water
- More labor
- Higher production/acre; More even grazing across the pasture
Pilot Project:Develop a MIG Demonstration Project
Cow-calf producer
One year lease on a 35 acre sub-irrigated pasture (above right and right)
Pressure irrigation water lines
Existing perimeter fence in poor shape
Plan and Budget to develop five 7-acre paddocks
Fencing Needed: 16 gauge wire with 8” offset insulators on existing perimeter fence
Interior fences temporary electric fence: Polywire and step in posts; 3 rolls (1320’) with neck strap reels; 40’ Step in post spacing; 3 Joule electric fence charge; Spring wire gates
Water System: Pressurized irrigation system; Valve opener with a garden hose valve; Garden hose; Livestock water trough set next to poly wire fence
Animals - Cattle: 32 cow calf pair plus 13 yearlings -= 42 Animal Units
Planned Grazing Periods
June/July = 5 week grazing
July/August = 7 week rest
September = 2 week grazing
Total grazing days = 49
Cow days/acre = 59
Temporary Fence Expenses
| Item | Quantity | Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Guage Wire 6000 ft | 1 | $75.00 | $75.00 |
| Offfset Insulator 10 pack | 13 | $9.96 | $129.35 |
| Stafix X3 Joule | 1 | $185.10 | $185.10 |
| Wraparound insulator | 4 | $8.50 | $34.00 |
| Spring gate 14 ft | 2 | $8.95 | $17.90 |
| Pigtail step in posts | 100 | $2.50 | $250.00 |
| Poly Twine 9SS 1320 ft | 3 | $35.50 | $106.00 |
| Neck strap Reel | 3 | $29.75 | $89.25 |
| Deep cycle battery | 2 | $80.00 | $160.00 |
| Spinning Jenny | 1 | $69.75 | $69.75 |
| Galvanized tightener | 4 | $1.09 | $4.36 |
| Shipping | $40.00 | ||
| Total | $1200.96 |
Return on Investment:
- If cut for meadow hay - one ton/acre * 35 acres * $70/acre = $2450 income
- Equipment expense = $1650
- Return = $800 or $22/acre
- If grazed using MIG - grazing fee = $18/AUM X 42 AU X 1.63 Months of grazing = $1234
- Electric fence supplies over 7 years = $172
- Return = $1062 or $30/acre
More photos below show fence construction and components
The perimeter fence was in poor shape, one hot wire kept cattle off it
Interior fence attached easily to perimeter fence
Spring loaded gate
