The field day started off at the Irwin County High School C.A.S.E Farm with an educational session facilitated by Dan Glenn, owner-operator of Deep Grass Graziers, and Jonathan Fordham, owner-operator of Fordham Brothers Farm.
CATTLE BREED SELECTION AND SOIL HEALTH
Dan Glenn’s wealth of knowledge comes from self-education, from visiting other farms, attending field days, and most importantly, listening. He operates a 400 head cow/calf operation on 300 acres that uses minimal inputs, and champions climate smart strategies of regenerating soil health and breeding cattle genetics that are adapted to the Southeast. For instance, instead of raising grass-finished beef that is bred for frame or weight, Dan puts environmental pressures on the cattle that encourages self-selection for adaptability. According to Dan, there are no shortcuts in breed selection. When selecting cattle breeds, it is important to keep in mind that the Southeast region:
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Gets a lot of rainfall, which makes the grasses “washy,” meaning they aren’t heavy in minerals or sugars, so the cows need a greater gut capacity to consume all the nutrients they need.
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Has intense heat 6 months out of the year, and during this time, it’s also hot during the night; the cows need to be able to deal with continuous heat stress.
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Has greater insect pressures, such as ticks and flies.
Epigenetics plays a role in the adaptability of heifers and calves. According to Dan, “You can always raise a better heifer, than you can buy.” Meaning that the cows raised in the environment of your farm are programmed to the feed you use, the insects on your farm, and the minutiae that are specific to your farm. If you’re not able to raise your own heifers, Dan suggests that you look for a breeder in your area, but stresses that it’s important to look for a breeder with similar practices to your farm. That way, the cow can more easily adapt to your farm.
One of Dan’s core values in running a profitable business is prioritizing his soil health. To do this, he follows these principles and practices:
Around 6 years ago, Dan stopped using commercial fertilizer on certain grasses. As a result, the clover in the pasture seed bank has increased. By embracing and working with nature, Dan minimizes constantly running on a cycle of fixing problems, and he is better able to address root issues, not just the symptoms. Dan is willing to give up near term performance in exchange for investing time into adjusting and improving pasture and grazing management because that gives him more control over his business costs. The more costs he can control, the more resilient that makes him. Dan emphasized the importance of balancing resiliency and profitability, while also maintaining a passion for the work. He said it best by reminding field day attendees that, “The cattle business isn’t high enough margin for it not to be fun, so always keep it fun.”
