Which of the following words/phrases do you associate with the word “grazing”?
“high productivity” “low productivity” “high profit” “low profit” "cheap feed"
“back 40” “rough ground” “high body condition” “low body condition” “ always need supplement” “bloat” “healthy animals” “annuals” “perennials” “grasses” “legumes” “brassicas” “weeds” “low management” “high management” “too much trouble” “don’t have enough time” “dad used to do that” “old fashioned” "high meat quality" "low meat quality" “high tech” “low tech” “year round” "cows" "goats" "sheep" "hogs" "poultry"
Briefly explain some of the associations.
Is grazing currently part of your farming operation? If so, briefly describe.
(types of animals, #s of animals, grazing management practices)
If not, has grazing ever been part of your farming operation? If yes, why did you stop?
How common is grazing in your community? Has this changed during your career?
What do you think are the main reasons that grazing is not more common in your community?
Do you know any farmers that you think are exceptional graziers (grazier = manager of grazing animals)? If so, briefly explain.
Are you aware of the recent increase in demand for grass-fed animal products? Do you think this trend will continue? Has this trend impacted your farming practices?
Do you have any thoughts about the quality of grass-fed animal products?
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28 comments:
Male
72
Retired from International Harvester/Farmer
High School Education
1. High profit because it creates quality cattle which produces quality beef and saves money by supplying the cattle with free natural grass.
2. Yes, I have 12 cattle.
3. Pretty common, but it has seemed to have decreased because of the rise in cattle lots being used by farmers.
4. Yes, a very small handful are still exceptional grazers.
5. Yes, I believe this trend will continue but this has not impacted my practices.
6. Increased quality and taste of beef in my opinion.
Male
46
Farmer
High School Ed.
I would say of those statements, healthy and cattle are the ones that are used the most in the grazing world.
It is currently apart of my operation. Calves are on the pasture at all times of the year. (5-10 head per year)
It is not very often, but a local guy runs cows on approx 250+ acres.
Not very common because it takes more time to finish them out then it takes to grow corn and beans in the same time period. Grazing takes longer, but larger rewards lie ahead if one is willing to wait.
No
There currently is no demand for grass fed beef. All of mine are sold at our local sale barn.
Not really. Just is a easy way of raising cattle. Not have to worry much about the calves or cows, may only have to check one or twice a week. However, I fed mine grain to fatten them out quicker, and the grain is free as well in my case. Not everybody is fortunate to get free fed.
69
Male
Farmer
Some college
1. grasses and legumes and cheaper feed
2.Cow/ calf operation Blue grass and frescue pastures
3. Common, hasn't changed to much.
4. Most people just run on pastures that they can't row crop.
5. yeah. there is and increase but hasn't effected this area. Grass fed will continue but hasn't effected our farm.
6. quality is alright if thats what you want to eat.
51
Male
Farmer
Some College
When I think of grazing I think of healthy animals in lushoush green fields eating healthy, I also think sustainability.
Currently we are not involved with any grazing on our operation.
We used to dairy farm. Durring those days we were very focused on our management of the grazing. It stoped when we got rid of the cattle.
Grazing is not that common to see around us any more. most farmers have focused on confiment operations with no grazing.
Not any more
I am well aware of this trend. Farmers who jump on this oportunity with a well thought out plan can be very succesfull with this.
I feel that well managed grass fed animals are some of the best quality meat in the world.
45
Male
College
Farmer
grasses, low management, low tech, old fashion, cows, goats, sheep
No
Yes, sold the animals
Not as common as it use to be.
Yes
Because most of the pasture has been converted into fields.
Yes, a few because they have been practicing grazing for a few years.
Yes
Yes
No
There is nothing wrong with grass fed animals.
male
farmer
50
wiu grad with honors
Grazing usually provides low cost feed but i dont think the meat quality and taste is as good as cornfed beef.
We graze some cows on grass and some on corn stalks.
Some, Yes used to be alote more. Dad said it was more important to get ground worked and combined didnt leave much.
Mr. Nimric-he has been written up and I have listen to him speak.
No. Depends on organic demands. It could cut down on corn usage.
I dont think the taste would be as good as cornfed.
Male
72
Farmer
High School
Cows
No
Up till 10 years ago it was, but it was too much work for my age and health.
There isnt many guys left who still do it.
There isnt the ground suited for it, there is too much highly productive farm ground.
None come to mind.
I dont follow the beef industy anymore.
I think the meat taste better.
Male
59
Farmer/Contractor
Cattle
Livestock and low management
family farm that raised grazing cows for 25 years. 40-80 head
Grazing practices haven't changed
Grazing is common in my community with our farms and living next to Stayton Dairy Farm in Waverly IL.
Grass-fed animals have always been good quality and recent new practices havn't impacted our opperation though i agree with them.
72
male
no college
farmer
I chose these because it is what I think of when I think of grazing.
grazing is part of my farm operation I run my cattle herd of 30 out on land not suitable for farming.
Grazing is common in my community and for the most part it hasn’t changed.
No I do not
I am aware of this demand and I believe the trend will continue but like all trends it has to change sometime.
I believe that they are more lean in the meats and have better marbleing.
male
48
farmer
1.low meat quality because everyone knows corn fed is better than grass fed.
2. yes. 8 cow/calf operation. no specific grazing practices.
3.not very many people graze cattle intensively with paddocks and everything, but there are a few neighbors with cattle. has changed alot, before just about everybody had cattle.
4. because it is not as profitable
5. no, do not know of any
6. no. yes. no.
7.no
3.
58
Male
Farmer
College Graduate
1.) High productivity, high profit, low management, low tech, low body condition, always need supplement, old fashioned, low meat quality.
2.) No
3.) Never has been
4.) Grazing is fairly common in the area but there is less of it than compared to the past because of the increasing price of farm land production ag is more profitable.
5.) No
6.) Not aware, don't know, and no.
7.) Grass-fed animal products are terrible, anyone in this day and age wants corn fed beef.
Male
54
Farmer
High School
1. High productivity, high profit, low management, healthy animals.
2. No
3. Nope
4. It is pretty common in my area but as his career has went on less people have stopped grazing.
5. No
6. No, Yes, this trend could continue, No
7. No
Male
Farmer
47
High School Diploma
1)low management, old fashioned, low meat quality, low tech, cows. Cows need to have some fat in the meat for the flavor. I can get cattle from birth to slaughter a lot quicker by feeding grain.
2) I currently have about 150 cows that get put out to pasture during the summer months (June-August).
3)It's about the same. People do the same practices as I do myself. Some are more in depth with switching their pastures every few weeks, but most are the same way I am.
4)I think it's because farmers are wanting to put the cows through the process as quickly as possible. With grazing it's going to take longer than just feeding out a steer.
5)Not currently.
6)No, but it doesn't surprise me. People think that they are healthier animals. It's the trend of the bigger cities because of their "PETA" like feelings. No, it hasn't impacted my production at all.
7)no
8)
Male
64
Farmer
Some high school
Of those words, I would say: High productivity, high body condition, high meat quality, cows, sheep and hogs.
No, not anymore. I couldn't keep up with it. Years ago I used to have about 60 or so head. Just grass, some on corn stalks.
As I said before, I'm getting too old to keep up with it. Too much work for me.
Grazing is pretty common around here. It hasn't changed much from what I can say. Maybe a few more, few less here and there. Nothing dramatic.
I think it is not more common because the ground is mostly tilled up. Nothing for the cows there.
Everyone I know are good. But nothing exceptional. There really isn't a high amount of cattle any one person is managing.
No. I don't see any change in the near future. It has not impacted my farming practices.
I think grass-fed is more healthy opposed to hormone injected cattle. That is what I would prefer. It's the all natural feeling I suppose.
Male
24
FeedLot Worker
High School Ed.
rough ground, weeds, low management, year round, cows.
We incorporate some grazing in the summer and fall but most of our high end production comes from the lot. All we have are cattle.
Grazing has become less popular because an animal can be grown much faster indoor compared to free range.
I'm sure there are successful "graziers" out there, but I can't think of any in this area.
We've heard some speculation about an increasing demand for grass fed animals but I don't think it's going to affect our business at all.
I think the quality is similiar between both free grazing and lot fed cattle
Retired Farmer
51
Bachelors Degree
1) High quality, high profit, grasses, high management, old fashioned, cows.
2) No grazing is not part of my current farming operation. It used to be in the past but not in these days.
3) Yeah it was part of my farming operation but we stopped because it wasnt doing the trick anymore. We needed to go more big time production to keep up and make the money.
4) Grazing is not farily common in my community. The amount of grazing has decreased dramatically over the last few years. I think that people just had to stop grazing in order to keep up with the times.
5) No I do not know of any.
6) No I am not aware of that and it has not impacted my farming practices whatsoever.
7) I think that grass fed animals products are probably better quality but I wouldnt think they would be too much better honestly.
Male
47
Farmer
High School Education
1. High meat quality
2. Yes 60 steers spread out over 6 different pasteurs.
3. Grazing is pretty common in my area because the land is fairly rough so there are many places with good soil that can't be farmed easily.
4. There are several farmers that manage their land very well and there are several farmers that just half ass it and don't even check on thier cows.
5. I haven't really noticed much of a increase in demand for grass fed animals.
6. They are a higher quality, but the trade off is that they take longer to finish.
Male
40
Organic Farmer
High School
1.) " Healthy animals",(less supplements ,no dry barren feed lots) "old fashioned",(not necessarily a bad thing)
2.) We graze cows on our farm nine months a year primarily for maintenance(hillsides,waterways).Hogs are allowed pasture a few hours a day,chickens are also free ranged.
3.) Yes there are still some,but not nearly as many as there was twenty years ago.In my community what used to be pasture is now being used for conventional farming.(corn,beans)
4.) Jim Burris runs an organic grass fed beef operation,people tell me he has the best beef they have ever tasted.He gives the credit to his pasturing practices.I don't now what his program includes but its working well for him.
5.) Yes grass fed is defiantly on the rise,I expect it will continue as long as consumers are educated on its health benefit's.Our farm has always pastured its livestock.
6.) Naturally raised products are almost always better.
"Cheap feed" and "cows" is what comes to mind first for me. I guess it is because grazing is fairly cheap and when I think of grazing I think of cattle for some season.
My grandpa only has 5 cows just to keep him busy, and we use grazing for them.
A lot of people graze cattle in my area but it is usually not very many cattle. The bigger cattle farms usually have feed lots.
no
Male
42
Purebred Hereford Cattle Rancher
Western Illinois University Degree in Animal Science
They associated the word "grazing" with- high profit, healthy animals, grasses, high management, year round, cows, well managed, efficient
yes, have 40 purebred hereford cown on 60 acres of grass and is on a continuned rotational program
Grzing in his community is pretty commom. Lots of cow calf operations are limited to pasture ground due to availabiltiy of ground. He has increased pasture acreage 50% in the last 2 years but said it wasnt cheap to do so.
yes he kows exceptional graziers. they routinely rotate their cattle and keep weeds down. Roation is key to grass reproduction and efficiency.
Yes, this trend has impacted him because he is too trying to increase pasture acreage as well as other competeing cow calf operations.
If well managed and supplemented with the right diest, the quality of grass fed cattle is jsut the same as grain/forage fed cattle.
Male
45
Cattle Farmer/ Road commissionar
High school
1.) High- profit, cows, high management due to fencework.
2.) grazing is a big part of my operation. I run about 150 head of angus cattle on pastures to graze.
3.) Grazing is pretty popular around the area. It has definetely changed throughout my career. Many cattle farmers have went to grazing to reduce feed costs.
4.) I really can't say that I know any exceptional graziers. I would like to say that I am though, but it just depends how you look at it.
5.) I think this trend will continue because people know what the animal is eating if it is grazing on grass.
6.) i am a strong believer in grass-fed animals
47 Indiana
Male
Healthy animals, low management, High meat quality.
I run 300 cows on pasture and stalks in the winter.
We are limited on pasture so we feed DDG's, silage, hay, oats, and corn stalks along with minerals at all times.
I could consider myself a good grazer i guess, because i currentlly have 30 grass fed beef feeders that i sell for grass fed beef when they reach market weight, there is a high demand for grass fed beef around our area.
Like i said grass fed is in hue demand around us.
Male
36
Agronomist
WIU Grad
1. Higher profit potential, more expensive to buy.
2. I do not have any livestock.
3. My father used to. Our family completely got out of raising cattle.
4. I am aware of the current trend. I think that it will continue to rise as long as more and more people are becoming more health conscious.
Male
51
4 year Degree
Farmer
Hight Profit, High mantainence
No, We used to but concentrated more on crops now.
Family did for many years, got out of it 10 years ago.
Not as common as it once was, many people get out because of high input costs.
Yes, I have friends that raise cattle and are very good at what they do. They rotate from field to field allowing for proper graizing.
I am aware and it will continue to rise
Male
60
Some College
Part Time farmer
Some of those words I associate with "grazing" are: Rough ground, back 40, low management.
Its just a crop operation a corn on corn then one year beans rotation.
No grazing hasn't been a part of my operation
My father-in-law has some grazing cattle but he also supplements with some corn and supplement. overall there are a whole lot of straight grazing farmers. I think its not very profitable unless you have a niche market for the meat.
No
Yes, I am aware of the increased demand for grass fed animals. I think it will continue as people because more health concious with the aging baby boomers.
I don't know enough about grass fed animals to have any thoughts.
1. Which of the following words/phrases do you associate with the word “grazing”?
Cows,Healthy, High Productivity, Old Fashioned, Grasses, High Meat, Quality, Cheaper Feed, High Management, High Maintenance, Year Round, Legumes, Sustainable, Rough Ground,Weeds, Well-Manage, Efficient
2.) The person i interviewed didn't raise livestock currently. He said he use to a few years back
3.) The person i interviewed didn't have much to say about if grazing was popular in his community.
4.)The person i interviewed didn't no anyone who he would say was an expert grazer
5.)The person i interviewed thought that grass found cattle produced better meat and were over all more healthy.
53
Male
Farmer
High School
1.Grazing. In my mind the following phrases would include: Low Productivity, Cheap Feed, Rough Ground, High Body Condition, Healthy Animals, High Management, High Meat Quality, Low Tech, Year Round, Cows.
2. No I am strictly Cropland. Used to graze cows but wasn't making the kind of money I could on the ground if I converted it to cropland.
3. Yes. See above
4. Grazing is very common in my community. Overall is has changed from many farmers having small cow operations on the side for an added income, to strictly feedlot settings.
5. Main reasons, being money.
6. I have read about many farmers in various magazines that have figured out excellent grazing management systems, I myself just do not have the time for them currently.
7. My thoughts on the quality of grass-fed animal products is a positive one. I prefer to put my money towards these farmers rather than the feedlot situation farmers. Therefore, I always buy locally and pay attention to where my meat is coming from.
Prefer grain fed
Unaware
No
It used to be. Most Farmers in our area have gotten away from raising livestock.
Yes, No longer raise cattle.
No
Low cost means of recovering some of the grain lost during harvest and supplemental food source for animals on otherwise unused ground.
low productivity
low profit
low tech” "fences" "cheap feed"
back 40” “rough ground
always need suppleme
grasses
dad used to do that” “old fashioned
sheep" "hogs
cows
poultry
low management
nt
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