Five focus groups with 43 innovative producers were held in Lincoln, Norfolk, Holdrege, Broken Bow, and Scottsbluff. These producers were asked to discuss barriers, and research needs regarding integrated cow/calf and cropping systems.
Five common items were identified as either an education or research gap by each focus group:
- Evaluate each integrated system as a whole system in terms of economics, risk, and adaptability to markets and weather.
- Explore options to extend the grazing season for early spring and late fall forage deficiencies.
- Develop management practices that reduce disease incidences in young calves.
- Refine the energy requirements of drylot cows.
- Investigate variability of cattle response when grazing corn residue.
Top priorities identified by each group.
Lincoln
- How to extend the grazing season – early spring and fall
- Best grazing management practices for efficient use of annual forage resources
- Grazing of corn residue: requirements of fall cows and dealing with downed corn
- Calf health issues-summer pneumonia
- Perennial forage seeding options
Norfolk
- Early spring grazing options
- Fall grazing weaned calves onto fresh forage
- Drylot cows- health issues with calves
- Cropland rental agreements with cover crops for forage use and corn stalk grazing
Holdrege
- Whole system financial analysis (with understanding of enterprise cost/returns)
- Standardized templates for decision making
- Nutrient requirements of cow- energy for drylot cows and supplement needs for fall cows on corn residue
- Conception rates on cover crops
- Effects of cover crop on primary crop
Broken Bow
- Costs and risk associated with alternative systems – return on investment
- Reproductive efficiency -washy forage, fall cows, bull productivity
- Nutrient requirements of drylot cows
- Calf health issues-summer pneumonia
- Rental agreements for grazing corn residue
Scottsbluff
- Economic and environmental benefits of grazing cropland
- Systems income with least risk
- Long term impacts for grazing management and deferred grazing on perennial forage
- Stocking rates on corn residue and deal with variable quality of residue
- Early spring forage needs