Grazing clubs are like Weight Watchers. Everyone has their own goal, but they rely on the group’s support to reach that goal.
Whether it is losing weight or growing grass, people work better with the support of others, said Arnold Mattson with the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration.
Since Mattson helped organize the first grazing club in Alberta a year ago, farmers have formed another 22 grazing clubs across the province.
“There was an obvious need for support among producers to help one another,” he said.
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Farmers can sit in meeting rooms and listen to experts, but nothing beats sharing a meal with friends and then walking through a field to create a comfortable atmosphere to share observations about farming.
Without such support, Mattson said an extensive fencing or watering project can paralyze farmers. They want to know where to put the first post, how to tie an electric fence wire or where to buy the right equipment.
As in 4-H, which promotes learning to do by doing, grazing club members benefit from hands-on learning, Mattson said.
Tom Krawiec of the South Athabasca Grazing Club said his club’s members talk about alternative ideas without being scoffed at.
“It’s a real safe environment to say, ‘I tried this and it was a wreck for me,’ ” he said.
Krawiec’s group has discussed intensive bale grazing, watering systems and better communications between farm couples. The group is made of like-minded couples that want to do things differently and has brainstormed about the most cost effective way to improve pastures, swath graze and choose forage types for the area.
“With grazing clubs, a lot of it has to do with emotional support,” Krawiec said.
Arnold Lachman of the Reed Ranch Grazers in southern Alberta said his grazing club has met only four times since it formed last December, but he’s already made changes after a summer pasture walk with the club.
During that walk, a grazing specialist taught the participants how to identify plants and emphasized the importance of leaving a layer of thatch and not overgrazing the field.
“They explained if you don’t have thatch left over, the plant has no reserves and it slowly dies out,” said Lachman, who operates a purebred cattle business. A fencing specialist taught the club members how to work with electric fencing equipment and how to increase profits using smaller pastures.
“It’s very beneficial, even if it’s just getting out talking to people.”
Mattson said the clubs have also become an important social connection for farmers.
After a summer barbecue with his grazing club, the group walked a field until well past dark asking questions, visiting and talking about their farms’ successes and failures.
The groups have put the fun back into farming for some members, he added.
“They’re optimistic about their future and they’re feeling good about it.”
Members of Mattson’s grazing group start each season by naming the top three goals they would like to accomplish on their farm. Water distribution was foremost for most of them.
The group brought in a water specialist, developed individual water pipeline plans and bought a truck load of black water pipe at half price because of their co-operative efforts.
As part of his job with PFRA’s range and biodiversity division, Mattson has developed a start-up guide for new grazing clubs.
He recommended that groups appoint a key grass manager or leader, someone who has practical experience in managing pastures. He also recommended the groups name a technical support person, usually a government employee.
