The cost of production, in all aspects of agriculture, continues to increase while prices remain stable or decrease. This scenario requires producers to analyze each decision as it relates to margin management. For cow/calf operations, feed is one of the greatest expenses. Allowing animals to graze forage is the least expensive feed option, but intense management is needed for maximum utilization. Grain farmers view yield as bushels per acre. My goal for beef producers is they will view yield as pounds sold per acre. The easiest way to accomplish this goal is through increased stocking rates which push available land to its maximum capacity. This is not always possible with poorly managed continuous perennial forage. The economic benefit from increasing stocking rate from the Kentucky average of 2 acres per cow/calf unit to 1.5 acres per cow/calf unit would result in three additional cows and am annual gross profit increase of $3,000 for a 20-acre pasture. This is very simple math and reveals the potential gain provided by intensive pasture grazing management. 

                A beef forage field event was held conducted by UK and Daviess County Coopertive Extension Service in coordination with the Kentucky Forage and Grassland Council in Daviess County. The purpose of the event was to show beef producers pasture management techniques and tools which are easy to implement and allow maximum beef profit per acre which are being implemented in Daviess County.  Participants viewed demonstrations of cattle grazing yellow corn and other annual forage crops utilized for maintaining heavy summer stocking rates in conjunction with a pasture re-establishment. At the conclusion of the event, producers indicated the concept of grazing corn to extend pasture and maintain stocking rates through summer was a novel idea. Rotating those paddocks each year then fall seeding with a novel endophyte fescue is an opportunity to improve nutritional value and yield of available land for cattle. The long-term outcome being more cows on the same acres yields a greater return per acre.