Management-intensive Grazing: The Grassroots of Grass Farming

by Jim Gerrish

The person who coined the phrase Management-intensive Grazing, Jim Gerrish, answers that question in the new book Management-intensive Grazing, The Grassroots of Grass Farming. Using vivid images and detailed explanations, Gerrish takes graziers step by step through the MiG system. He begins from the ground up with the soil, and advances through the management of pastures and animals.

From Gerrish's lively chapters you'll learn the following:

How to manage the water cycle
Making pasture fertility pay
How to grow quality pasture
Working with legumes
The power of stock density
How to match forage supply and animal demand
Managing pastures and animals
How to judge maximum intake of forage
How to extend the grazing system
How to stockpile forage for low cost wintering
Pasture weaning for health and weight gain
Dealing with pests and parasites
Coping with and minimizing pasture bloat
Planning and using permanent and perimeter fencing
When and how to use portable fencing
Water requirements for a MiG system
Basic guidelines for designing a MiG system
Using pasture records for information not just data
And much more.
Written for those new to MiG grazing, Gerrish's insight and personal experience can help experienced graziers fine tune their grazing operations for added income.

Gerrish grew up on a grain and alfalfa hay farm in south-central Illinois. He caught grass fever in the mid 1970s and left the grain farming scene, never to return. He spent over 22 years conducting beef-forage systems research and outreach while on the faculty of the University of Missouri, and has over 20 years of commercial cattle and sheep production on his family farm in northern Missouri. He currently is an independent grazing lands consultant providing service to grass farmers and ranchers throughout the USA.

Shipping Weight 1.5 lbs.

Genres: Agriculture, Plants

320 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

Reviews

[Delia Gibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely for experienced graziers. It’s not an intro to grazing book, it’s an intro to MiG. But it’s detailed, easy enough to follow, and kinda funny. I learned a lot!

[Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best overview of how to set up a grazing system. I went through at a pretty high speed to introduce myself to the concepts. Now I'll read through more carefully.

[Mwalkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was comprehensive, written in a light, humorous tone with specific helpful information on rotational grazing.