NISKU, Alta. – Swath grazing is great when it works, but it doesn’t always work well, an Alberta Beef Producer animal health and welfare manager told producers during a forage update.
Last winter, the Alberta SPCA investigated 13 cases of cattle in distress, all on winter or pasture grazing, said Reynold Bergen.
“Last year there was more people swath grazing and it was a very severe winter,” Bergen told the Forage Agronomy Update conference held in Nisku.
Cattle producers looking at swath grazing must be aware of the downside as well as the benefits, said Bergen.
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With high feed costs, more producers are considering swath grazing. Swathing the grain in the field and leaving it for cattle to graze in autumn eliminates added costs of making and hauling bales in the fall and moving manure back to the field in the spring.
“Winter grazing has become very common,” said Bergen.
Cattle can’t be turned into the pasture to fend for themselves. Producers must follow guidelines and have a back-up plan in case of trouble, he said.
Cows must be in decent body condition before they’re turned onto the swaths. It’s difficult for cattle to improve condition with swath grazing.
Bergen also recommended segregating cattle by age to ensure younger animals aren’t shoved aside by older cattle. Shelter must be available if cattle are grazed in winter, and some control that limits cattle ability to eat the choice feed first and leave the poor feed for later must also be in place.
“As the winter progresses, you won’t have anything left if you don’t control grazing.”
The cattle must have access to water or loose snow.
“If the weather goes south, there’s got to be some plan to feed them or move them elsewhere. It takes constant attention.”
Not paying attention is when the troubles show up, said Bergen.
Of the 13 cases the Alberta SPCA investigated last year, six were related to older farmers not able to look after the animals on the pasture when the snow arrived.
Four of the cases dealt with absentee owners who believed they’d found a way to have their cattle fed and work away from home. Two cases were related to inept management and the last case was related to psychological problems.
“With swath grazing it’s tempting to go away and work on the rigs. If you’re going to be away for a week at a time, make sure someone is watching your cattle,” he said.
Morris Airey, Alberta SPCA director of enforcement, said deep snow caused most of last year’s troubles.
So far this year the SPCA has only dealt with one problem relating to swath grazing.
“Swath grazing does take management the same as other feeding practices,” said Airey.
