Imagine a hay feeding system where you did not have to use a tractor for months at a time and that allowed you to build up pasture fertility without applying commercial fertilizer. What if this same system also kept your cattle clean during the winter without coats caked in mud and manure, allowed you to creep graze fall-born calves, and built up the organic matter levels in your pasture soils. As far-fetched as this may sound, all these benefits are possible with an innovative winter-feeding technique called Bale Grazing.

On September 30th, we held our Highlands Beef Cattle Association monthly meeting at Kevin and Bernice McCormick's. Greg Halich, Extension Professor and Specialist, came to discuss his research in bale grazing. He polled the group for interest in his discussion. 100% of participants agreed that they would appreciate the benefits that bale grazing has to offer. Out of 35 attendees, none of them were implementing bale grazing or had heard of it. 21 out of 35 people said they would at least like to try it out, with 10 people saying they would implement this winter. That shows a potential of 60% success rate in future bale grazing. 100% of the audience gained knowledge and complete understanding of the topic. Although this will be a short-term outcome for now, it can become a long-term outcome after producers experience the benefits of bale grazing for themselves.