Why Has Pasture-based Dairying Developed in Missouri Charles Fletcher Operations Manager KBC Dairy Purdy & Lockwood, Missouri 417-442-7167 Grazing Growth in MO Climate Few days below zero No prolonged days of freezing Grazing Growth in MO Climate Few days below zero No prolonged days of freezing All grazers in SW MO out-winter Average rainfall: SW MO 43 inches Central MO 39 inches Grazing Growth (cont.) Climate allows: Forage diversity Cool season Warm season Grazing Growth (cont.) Grass state 3.5 million acres used for forage production (2002 USDA Ag Census) A Simple System Clover CS Annual Forage Yield CS Perennial WS Annual Feb Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Growth Rates Dry Matter Lbs Per Acre Per Day 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 1Jan 16Jan 31Jan 15Feb 2Mar 17Mar 1Apr 16Apr 1May 16May 31May 15Jun 30Jun 15Jul 30Jul 14Aug 29Aug 13Sep 28Sep 13Oct 28Oct Time of Year Tall Fescue + 60 lb N in spring (3 ton avg) Tall Fescue + 60 lb N in spring (4 ton avg) Tall Fescue + 60 lb N in spring (5 ton avg.) KBC Dairy 12Nov 27Nov 12Dec 10/23/2006 10/9/2006 9/25/2006 9/11/2006 8/28/2006 8/14/2006 7/31/2006 7/17/2006 7/3/2006 6/19/2006 6/5/2006 5/22/2006 5/8/2006 4/24/2006 4/10/2006 3/27/2006 3/13/2006 2/27/2006 Lbs. Dry Matter / Acre Average Pasture Cover on KBC Dairy 3,000 2,750 2,500 2,250 2,000 1,750 1,500 1,250 1,000 750 500 250 0 Grazing Growth (cont.) Land 30% of MO’s 114 counties have less than 10,000 citizens USDA, 1/1/05 land prices averaged $1740/acre (including buildings) Grazing Growth (cont.) Land 30% of MO’s 114 counties have less than 10,000 citizens USDA, 1/1/05 land prices averaged $1740/acre (including buildings) Prices vary based on distance from trading centers Grazing Growth (cont.) Dairy infrastructure Processing capacity Equipment dealers in most areas Feed mills/farm supplies Large animal veterinarians Grazing Growth (cont.) Grains MO national ranking Soybeans 7th Corn grain 9th Winter wheat 11th By-products From corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, cotton Breweries Access to prices weekly http://agebb.missouri.edu/dairy/byprod/AllProducts.asp Grazing Growth (cont.) Livestock MO’s rank 2nd beef operation 6th dairy operations 2nd all cows Opportunities for marketing Grazing Growth (cont.) Supporting infrastructure & research University of Missouri SW Research Center Seasonal MIG Dairy Helps answer real grazing issues Advisory committee composed of regional dairy grazers MU specialists that understand and promote dairy grazing Grazing Growth (cont.) Supporting infrastructure & research Dairy grazing groups Multiple successful pasture-based dairy business models Economic data from existing dairies and MU SW research dairy Collection & dispersion of economic data – KEY to growth in SW Missouri Grazing Growth (cont.) Intangibles Good place to live Friendly people Is it clear?