self-sustaining agroecosystem - food production

**multi-species grazing**, **cover cropping**, Regenerative graziers, mixed-crop-livestock farms ### Rotational Grazing System Summary #### Land & Grazing Management - 45 acres dedicated to primary grazing paddocks - 1 acre grazed per day using strip grazing - 45-day rest/recovery period for each paddock - Daily livestock movement: cattle → sheep → chickens (days 1, 2, 5) #### Livestock - 50 cattle (Brown Swiss/Jersey mix) - 200 sheep (Romney breed) - 600 chickens (New Hampshire breed) #### Annual Production - Beef: 11,700 lbs - Milk: 380,000 lbs - Lamb/Mutton: 3,615 lbs - Wool: 900 lbs - Eggs: 99,000 eggs - Chicken Meat: 3,492 lbs #### Resource Efficiency - Multi-species grazing utilizes ~75% of available forage (cows 50%, sheep 25%) - Chickens convert manure-based insects into eggs and meat - System requires minimal external inputs once established - Promotes soil health and carbon sequestration ### Details - Stocking Density = Days per Paddock/Cows per Acre - Stocking Rate = (Daily Intake per Cow × Grazing Period Length) / (Forage Growth Rate × Total Acres) - Grazing Demand = Stocking Rate × Intake per Cow - Total Forage Supply=(Pasture DM)+(Tree Browse DM)+(Mast Crop DM)+(Understory DM) - Forage Supply = Forage Growth Rate × Acres - fish farm 2-5 lbs of nitrogen/acre/month pasture health metrics - Forage Availability (DM per Acre) above 2000+ lb DM/acre - Forage Growth Rate (DM per Acre per Day) 200+ lb/acre/day - Residual Stubble Height (Inches After Grazing) 3+ in grasses, 6+ in legumes -> Taller stubble = faster regrowth & deeper roots - Soil Compaction (Penetrometer Test) want Loose spongy soil that absorbs water well -> compacted soil = slower regrowth - soil compaction: makes harder for roots to expand and water to be retained in soil -> weaker plants -> regrowth supression plant regrowth patterns - 10 days Recovery Phase - 10-30 days Rapid Growth Phase 200-300 lbs DM/day per acre - 30+ days plants too fibrous = selective grazing overgrazing: when cows eat plant in recovery phase leading to inefficiency - grass goes into depletion mode where in recovery phase root energy is depleted - in response plants do productive tillering producing worse quality DM ### Grazing Sources - graze/cut at the optimum `inflection point` where growth slows: - Maximum solar energy capture - Maintains higher forage quality by preventing plants from going to seed - Create stronger grasses by stimulating tillering and root exudation #### Seasonal Yield | Season | Growth Phase | Months | Days in Season | Daily Growth (lbs DM/acre/day) | Optimal Recovery Period (days) | Optimal Harvest DM/acre | Grazing Cycles | Total Production (lbs/acre) | | ------------ | -------------------------------- | ------------------ | -------------- | --------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | -------------------------- | ----------------- | ------------------------------ | | Spring | Moderate Growth | Apr - Mid May | 45 | 110 | 35 | 2,500 | 1.3 | 3,250 | | Early Summer | Peak Growth | Late May - Mid Jul | 70 | 170 | 30 | 3,800 | 2.3 | 8,740 | | Late Summer | Moderate Growth (Heat Stress) | Mid Jul - Sep | 70 | 85 | 40 | 2,300 | 1.8 | 4,140 | | Fall | Slow Growth | Oct - Nov | 60 | 33 | 55 | 1,800 | 1.1 | 1,980 | | Winter | Dormant | Dec - Mar | 120 | 0 | - | - | - | 0 | | | | | | | | | | 18,110 | - column definitions - **Optimal Recovery Period**: Time needed for plants to recover their root reserves and leaf area after grazing, varying by season - **Optimal Harvest DM/acre**: When it's best to graze/cut considering plant health and animal nutrition. This is typically NOT the absolute maximum biomass the plants could produce if left ungrazed, but rather the optimal point for regenerative management. - calculated columns - **Grazing Cycles**: Represents how many times a strip of land can be grazed in a season. 1.5 means half the strips would be graze once and half twice. (Days in Season / Optimal Recovery Period) - **Total Production**: Optimal Harvest DM/acre × Grazing Cycles ##### Cool-Season Grass Growth Phases & Dry Matter (DM) Production | **Season** | **Growth Phase** | **Regrowth Time (Days)** | **Max DM/acre in Phase** | **Avg. Start & End Dates (West Michigan)** | **# of Regrazes per Season** | **Notes** | | ---------- | --------------------------- | ------------------------ | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Spring** | Rapid growth surge | 45-50 days | **5,000 - 6,000 lbs** | **April 15 – June 30** | **2-3 times** | Grass grows faster than cows can eat, often harvested for hay. | | **Summer** | Slowed growth (heat stress) | 60-90 days | **3,500 - 4,500 lbs** | **July 1 – August 31** | **1 time** | Growth slows due to heat; paddocks require longer recovery. | | **Fall** | Strong regrowth phase | 45-60 days | **4,500 - 5,500 lbs** | **September 1 – November 1** | **1-2 times** | Ideal time to build stockpile; late fall grazing possible. | | **Winter** | Dormant, no regrowth | No regrowth (Nov–Mar) | **Stockpiled forage only** | **November 2 – April 14** | **0 times (foraging only)** | No new growth; relies on stored or standing forage. | | Season | Months | Daily Growth (lbs DM/acre/day) | Duration (days) | Total Production (~lbs/acre) | | ----------------- | -------------------- | ------------------------------ | --------------- | ---------------------------- | | Peak | Late May - Mid July | 170 | 70 | 12,000 | | Moderate (Spring) | April - Mid May | 110 | 45 | 5,000 | | Moderate (Fall) | Mid July - September | 85 | 70 | 6,000 | | Slow | October - November | 33 | 60 | 2,000 | | Dormant | December - March | 0 | 120 | 0 | | | | | Annual Total: | 25,000 | #### Primary Pasture - Best For: Spring-Summer-Fall grazing, rapid regrowth - 90% open pasture: high-yield grasses & legumes - 10% tree cover (shade, nitrogen-fixing trees like honey locust) - Key Forage Plants: Tall fescue, orchard grass, white clover, alfalfa - Tree Species: Honey locust (for pod fodder), black locust (nitrogen-fixing) #### Stockpile & Winter Grazing - Best For: Late Fall-Winter grazing - 70% pasture - 30% food forest (winter shelter, fodder trees) - placed 15x tree heigh apart (~300ft) for wind break - 3 rows deep, 15ft apart - Outer row: Taller species (black locust, honey locust) - Middle row: Medium height, dense branching (mulberry) - Inner row: Lower, denser species or shrubs (willow, hazelnut) - can extend the grazing season by 30-45 days compared to open pastures. - east-west strip orientation - 3-5°F higher daytime temperatures under forage canopy - 20-30% reduced snow accumulation - 10-14 additional grazing days per winter. - Key Forage Plants: Tall fescue (winter hardy), red clover, stockpiled orchard grass - Tree Species: Mulberry, willow, poplar (winter leaves), honey locust, chestnut #### Orchard Silvopasture Paddocks - Best Grazed: Late Summer-Fall and after harvest - 10% fruit/nut orchard (80 trees/acre) - 40% cover crop (under fruit/nut trees) - 50% managed pasture (grass & legumes between trees) - silvo orchard pasture: ~280 lbs DM/acre/day - pasture (in between fruit trees) = 250 lbs DM/acre/day - Tree Browse (orchard plant leaves) = 1,000 lbs DM/acre/year ≈ 3 lbs DM/acre/day - Mast (fallen fruits) = 1,500 lbs DM/acre/year ≈ 4 lbs DM/acre/day - Understory (cover crop) = ~25 lbs DM/acre/day ##### Pasture Plants [[Untitled 73]] ##### Orchard Trees & Woody Browse | Species | DM (lbs/acre/yr) | Protein Content | Produces Food/yr (lbs/acre) | Calories/acre | Livestock Benefits | Human/Market Value | | ------------ | ---------------- | -------------------- | --------------------------- | ------------- | ---------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | | Apple Trees | 900-1200 | Low (3-5%) | 15,000-27,000 | 1.8-3.2M | Fall fruit drop feed | $3,000-7,500/acre fresh market | | Pear Trees | 700-1000 | Low (3-5%) | 12,000-20,000 | 1.5-2.5M | Fall fruit drop feed | $2,500-6,000/acre fresh market | | Mulberry | 2,000-4,000 | High (15-22%) | 5,000-8,000 | 1.0-1.6M | Spring/summer browse | Wildlife habitat, human food | | Willow | 4,000-6,000 | Medium (12-16%) | - | - | Winter/spring browse, high yield | Erosion control, biofuel potential | | Honey Locust | 1,500-3,000 | Medium-High (15-20%) | 1,000-2,000 (pods) | 0.8-1.6M | Fall/winter pod feed, high energy | Nitrogen-fixing, timber potential | | Black Locust | 2,000-3,500 | High (18-25%) | - | - | Limited browse (toxic in quantity) | Nitrogen-fixing, honey production | | Persimmon | 800-1,200 | Low (4-6%) | 3,000-6,000 | 0.9-1.8M | Fall fruit feed | Premium specialty fruit market | | Chestnut | 1,000-1,500 | Medium (8-12%) | 1,500-3,000 | 1.5-3.0M | Fall nut mast | $3-5/lb premium nut market | ##### Understory & Support Crops | Understory Crop | DM (lbs/acre/day) | Protein | Shade Tolerance | Recovery After Grazing | Livestock Benefits | Orchard Benefits | | --------------- | ----------------- | --------- | --------------- | ---------------------- | --------------------------- | -------------------------------- | | White Clover | 4-8 | High | Good | Excellent | High protein, palatable | Nitrogen fixation, bee forage | | Red Clover | 5-10 | High | Fair | Good | Protein-rich, productive | Soil improvement, nitrogen | | Chicory | 5-12 | Medium | Good | Excellent | Drought-tolerant, minerals | Deep roots, breaks compaction | | Comfrey | 8-15 | High | Excellent | Good | Medicinal, nutrient-rich | Biomass accumulator, chop & drop | | Alfalfa | 8-14 | Very High | Poor | Good | Premium feed quality | Nitrogen fixation, deep roots | | Annual Ryegrass | 6-12 | Medium | Good | Excellent | Fast growing, winter-active | Prevents erosion, builds OM | | Duckweed (pond) | 270+ | Very High | N/A | N/A | High protein supplement | Water filtration | | Hairy Vetch | 4-8 | High | Fair | Fair | Winter-hardy legume | Nitrogen fixation, winter cover | ### Cuttings | Method | Moisture Target (%) | Sugar Loss (%) | Protein Loss (%) | Vitamin Loss (%) | Spoilage Time | Labor Hours per Ton | Processing Cost per Ton ($) | Nutrient Efficiency (Calories per Acre) | **Processing Steps** | | ---------------------- | ------------------- | -------------- | ---------------- | ---------------- | ------------- | ------------------- | --------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | | Haylage (Silage) | 40-60% | 10 | 7 | 15 | 6-12 months | 2.5 | 50 | 250,000 | Cut → Wilt → silage bags | | Dry Hay | <15% | 30 | 20 | 50 | 1+ year | 1.5 | 30 | 220,000 | Cut → Dry in field (2-5 days) → Bale/stack | | Fresh Feeding | 75-85% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1-2 days | 5.0 | 10 | 275,000 | Cut **daily** and feed immediately | | Dehydration & Grinding | <10% | 15 | 10 | 35 | Months | 4.0 | 100 | 240,000 | Cut → **Flash dry (forced air/rotary kiln)** → Grind into powder | #### Nutrition of Cut Grass - respiration: plants breath after cut, using stored sugars until dried/preserved. lose 10-20% in 24 hours, faster with warmth/humidity - oxidation: natural enzymes break down sugars, changing color - nutritional degradation - vitamin C & B: 50% loss in days. - vitamin A: 80% lost in days in light - protein: microbes break into nitrogens #### Cutting Mid Season - if the pasture is producing more than the animals can efficiently graze, bale into ~1 ton silage bags and place in barn #### Cutting End of Season - before moving to stockpile, cut and place in silage bags in field. - use this silage last ### Strip Grazing System ##### Multi-Species Grazing Comparison | Animal Combination | Grazing Efficiency | Parasite Reduction | Daily DM Needs (1 ac) | Recovery Period | Labor Requirement | Fence Requirements | | ------------------------- | ------------------ | ------------------ | --------------------- | --------------- | ----------------- | ----------------------------- | | Cattle Only | 50-60% | Low | 1,500-1,800 lbs | 30-45 days | Lowest | 2-3 strand polywire | | Sheep Only | 60-70% | Low | 700-1,000 lbs | 25-35 days | Moderate | 5-strand electric net | | Cattle → Sheep | 70-80% | Medium | 2,200-2,800 lbs | 35-50 days | Moderate | Combination system | | Cattle → Goats | 75-85% | Medium | 2,100-2,600 lbs | 40-55 days | High | Combination system | | Cattle → Sheep → Chickens | 80-90% | High | 2,300-2,900 lbs | 40-60 days | Highest | Multi-system, portable coops | | Sheep → Chickens | 70-80% | Medium-High | 800-1,100 lbs | 30-45 days | High | Electric net + portable coops | | Cattle → Pigs | 85-95% | Medium | 2,000-2,500 lbs | 60-90 days | High | Heavy-duty fencing | Using electric fencing to rotate cows, sheep, and chickens daily to efficiently extract resources - 50 cows, 200 sheep, 600 layers - 1 acre strips, 1000ft x ~42 ft - cows/sheep need 2-strand poly wire 4' - permanent braced wooden posts along perimeter - 5 poly step-in posts every 200 ft - 3 polywire strands w/ geared reels for easy wind/unwind - Gallagher S100 solar energizer - 2 galvanized grounding rods ensuring proper electric flow - chickens need electric poultry netting #### Pasture ##### Grazing Sources #### Cows - 20 milk cows, replace 4/year - 1 bull, replace every 3 years - 9 new calves, - 18 growing steers - One calving season (March-May), ~90% conception rate, 9 months gestation, 12 months between births, ~18 calves/year - steers separated from cows during mating season - breed: Brown Swiss (19,000 lbs milk/year, high butter fat) - consume ~60% of available forage - 30 lbs dry matter (DM)/day - 1 acre sections -> ~1300lbs DM/day - Meat production goal: Maximize forage-based weight gain. ##### Finishing Beef | **Age (Months)** | **Live Weight (lbs)** | **Hanging Weight (lbs)** | **Carcass Yield (%)** | **Market Price (Per lb Live)** | **Meat Quality** | **Best Market Use** | | ---------------- | --------------------- | ------------------------ | --------------------- | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | | **3-6 months** | 200-400 | N/A | N/A | $2.00 - $3.00 | Veal (low fat) | Dairy calves, veal production | | **6-12 months** | 400-800 | N/A | N/A | $1.50 - $2.50 | Lean, mild | Stocker calves for backgrounding | | **12-18 months** | 800-1,200 | 480-720 | 55-60% | $1.30 - $2.20 | Some marbling | Feeder cattle for feedlot | | **18-24 months** | 1,200-1,500 | 660-900 | 55-60% | $1.00 - $1.70 | Prime beef, high marbling | Finished grass-fed beef | | **24-30 months** | 1,500-1,800 | 825-1,080 | 55-60% | $0.90 - $1.50 | Heavier finish, better marbling | Prime beef or large butcher cuts | | **30+ months** | 1,800+ | 1,000+ | 50-55% | $0.75 - $1.20 | Potentially tough | Old cows, used for ground beef | - **Grass-fed beef steers** takes **24-30 months** to reach full weight (~1,200-1,500 lbs live weight). - **Grain-fed cattle** can finish faster (~18-22 months) due to higher energy intake. - **Market prices fluctuate** based on feed costs, demand, and seasonality. - **Calves under 12 months** are often sold as feeders rather than finished meat animals. ##### Pasture Requirements | **Category** | **Number** | **LB DM/Day per Head** | **Total LB DM/Year** | **Acres Needed Annually** | **Acres Needed if Moving Daily (0.5-acre strips)** | | --------------------------- | ---------- | ----------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | | **Breeding Cows** | 20 | 30-35 lbs | ~250,000-275,000 | 100-120 acres | ~40 acres | | **Growing Steers** | 18 | 25-30 lbs | ~150,000-200,000 | 60-80 acres | ~30 acres | | **Calves (<6 mo.)** | 10 | 10-15 lbs | ~50,000-75,000 | 20-30 acres | ~10 acres | | **Bull (Maintenance)** | 1 | 35-40 lbs | ~12,500-14,500 | 5-10 acres | ~4 acres | | **Total Herd (50-52 head)** | 50-52 | ~1,200-1,400 lbs DM/day | **450,000-550,000 lbs DM/year** | **185-230 acres** | **84 acres** | #### Egg Layers - maintain 600, replace 200/year, cull based on visual indicators of age/productivity - 50 roosters, cull aggressive/old/excess at 12-16 weeks, add new genes every 5 years - brooding hen -> 6-12 chicks, need ~35 broodies annually, produce stronger more self sufficient chicks - broody hatching for production: self sustain brooding and egg laying populations without incubators. remove eggs from good layers who are brooding and swap out for brooding hen's eggs - 2 breed flock, Australorp (270 eggs/yr, great layers, some brooding), Wyandotte (225 eggs/yr, cold-hardy, moderate broody) ##### Feed | **Source** | % of Feed | Protein | Carb | Fats | Key Micronutrients | Unique Benefits | Annual Volume Needed for 600 Layers | | | ----------------------------------- | --------- | --------------- | --------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | --- | | **Pasture Foraging** | 40% | 12% | 40% | 4% | Vitamin A, Omega-3s, minerals from soil | Provides greens, seeds, bugs, and natural scratching behavior | 47,000 lbs (.5 acre/day) for Apr-Oct | | | **Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)** | 12.5% | 45% | 2.5% | 30% | Calcium, Phosphorus, Methionine, Lysine | High-protein, low-cost, upcycles food waste & manure, year-round potential with biopods | 3,000 lbs of BSFL per year | | | **Crop Production: Grains** | 35% | 10% | 67.5% | 3% | Vitamin E, some B vitamins | Energy source, replaces commercial grain feed | 30,000 lbs of mixed grains (corn, wheat, barley, oats) (15 acres) | | | **Crop Production: Legumes** | 12.5% | 21.5% | 45% | 6% | Lysine, Methionine, Phosphorus | Protein boost, nitrogen-fixer for soil | 8,000 lbs of field peas, soybeans, or lentils (~5 acres) | | | **Crop Production: Greens** | 7.5% | 17.5% | 35% | 4.5% | Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Calcium | Vitamins & minerals, improves yolk color | 5,000 lbs of alfalfa, duckweed, or comfrey (~3 acres) | | | **Food Scraps & Waste Grains** | 7.5% | 15% | 45% | 7.5% | Varies by scraps; potential for minerals | Reduces food waste, supplements micro-nutrients | 5,000 lbs from farm & household waste | | | **Total** | 115% | 16.5% | 50% | 4.8% | | | | | | **Total Supplement Needed** | ~60% | 16-18% (Target) | 50-60% (Target) | 3-5% (Target) | Ensuring balance of Calcium, Phosphorus, Vitamins A & D | | | | ###### Foraging | Forage Source | Yield per 0.5 Acre | Feed Contribution per Chicken (600 birds) | | -------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------ | ----------------------------------------- | | Insects (Fly Larvae, Beetles, Worms, Grasshoppers, etc.) | ~100-150 lbs | 0.16-0.25 lbs per bird per day | | Leftover Grass & Seed Heads | ~50-75 lbs | 0.08-0.12 lbs per bird per day | | Grazing Residue (Clover, Alfalfa, Other Greens) | ~30-50 lbs | 0.05-0.08 lbs per bird per day | | Manure-Based Microorganisms (Fungi, Bacteria, Protozoa) | ~10-20 lbs | 0.016-0.033 lbs per bird per day | | Total | 240 lbs/ .5 acre | .4 lbs/bird/day | ###### Black Soldier Fly (BSF) Production - inputs: food scraps + coffee grounds + manure - kept in passive climate controlled building for year round production - 100,000 larvae per m² optimal density - 15 kg waste processed per m²/day - ~0.2 kg dry weight harvest per m²/day - 1.5:1 FCR for BSFL (vs 10:1 for beef, 2:1 for mealworms) - 25% bioconversion rate for food waste - 12% bioconversion for manure - 250 sq. ft building -> 3000lb/year - [BSFL biopod](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKFH-FYCSSg&ab_channel=AcornLandLabs) food waste -> grubs -> auto harvest ###### Crops | **Crop** | **Yield per Acre** | **% of Chicken Diet** | **Acres Needed** | | | --------------- | ------------------ | --------------------- | ---------------- | --- | | Corn | 7,500 lbs/acre | 40% | 1.75 acres | | | Soybeans | 2,700 lbs/acre | 25% | 2.2 acres | | | Sunflower Seeds | 2,000 lbs/acre | 15% | 1.5 acres | | | Alfalfa | 6,000 lbs/acre | 10% | 1 acre | | | Duckweed (pond) | 100,000 lbs/acre | 10% | 0.1 acre | | #### Rotation Schedule - day 1: cows 60% efficiency eat down to 6" - day 2: sheep eat down to 3" and what cows don't eat - day 5: chickens eat fly maggot from manure (pest control) and ... - day 45: start over #### Vegetable Garden | Vegetable | Acres | Plant Date | Harvest Date | Rotations/Year | Lbs/Acre/Year | Total Lbs | Cal/lb | Protein/lb | Total Calories | Total Protein (lbs) | | -------------- | ----- | ---------- | ------------ | -------------- | ------------- | --------- | ------ | ---------- | -------------- | ------------------- | | Potatoes | 2.5 | Apr/July | July/Oct | 2 | 40,000 | 200,000 | 350 | 0.007 | 70M | 1,400 | | Sweet Potatoes | 2.0 | May | Sept-Oct | 1.5 | 30,000 | 90,000 | 400 | 0.008 | 36M | 720 | | Cabbage | 2.0 | Mar/June | June/Oct | 2.5 | 50,000 | 250,000 | 120 | 0.012 | 30M | 3,000 | | Carrots | 2.0 | Apr/July | July/Oct | 3 | 35,000 | 210,000 | 175 | 0.009 | 36.8M | 1,890 | | Tomatoes | 1.5 | May | July-Sept | 2 | 45,000 | 135,000 | 90 | 0.009 | 12.2M | 1,215 | #### Fruit Orchard | Fruit | Acres | Plant Year | Harvest Date | Years to Yield | Lbs/Acre/Year | Total Lbs | Cal/lb | Protein/lb | Total Calories | Total Protein (lbs) | | ------------ | ----- | ---------- | ------------ | -------------- | ------------- | --------- | ------ | ---------- | -------------- | ------------------- | | Apples | 7.0 | Spring | Aug-Oct | 4 | 27,000 | 189,000 | 240 | 0.001 | 45.4M | 189 | | Pears | 4.5 | Spring | Aug-Sept | 4 | 20,625 | 92,800 | 250 | 0.002 | 23.2M | 186 | | Sour Cherry | 3.5 | Spring | July | 4 | 15,500 | 54,250 | 200 | 0.006 | 10.9M | 326 | | Plums | 3.0 | Spring | Aug-Sept | 4 | 15,300 | 45,900 | 230 | 0.003 | 10.6M | 138 | | Sweet Cherry | 1.5 | Spring | June-July | 5 | 11,900 | 17,850 | 250 | 0.006 | 4.5M | 107 | | Quince | 0.5 | Spring | Oct | 4 | 12,800 | 6,400 | 240 | 0.002 | 1.5M | 13 | #### Mono Crops | Crop | Acres | Plant Date | Harvest Date | Rotations/Year | Lbs/Acre/Year | Total Lbs | Cal/lb | Protein/lb | Total Calories | Total Protein (lbs) | | -------- | ----- | ---------- | ------------ | -------------- | ------------- | --------- | ------ | ---------- | -------------- | ------------------- | | Corn | 10 | May | Oct | 1 | 9,800 | 98,000 | 1,600 | 0.100 | 156.8M | 9,800 | | Wheat | 10 | Sept/Apr | July/Aug | 1 | 5,100 | 51,000 | 1,500 | 0.130 | 76.5M | 6,630 | | Soybeans | 5 | May | Oct | 1 | 3,000 | 15,000 | 1,800 | 0.350 | 27M | 5,250 | #### Farming - No-till termination: kill cover crop without disturbing soil to keep soil intact and improve long-term fertility - keeps moisture and organic material - better for degraded or sandy soil - preserves microbial ecosystems - act as mulch layer reducing weeds #### DM Needs/Animal/Day | Animal Type | Condition | DM/day (lbs) | Quantity | | ----------- | ------------------ | ------------ | -------- | | Cow | Breeding/Lactating | 40 | 20 | | Cow | Feeder | 25 | 20 | | Cow | Calf | 15 | 9 | | Cow | Bull | 30 | 1 | | Sheep | Lactating Ewe | 5 | | | Sheep | Adult | 3.5 | | | Sheep | Lamb | 2 | | | Chicken | Layer | 0.25 | | #### Sheep Herd Production (200) | Herd Type | Lambs (%) | Adults (%) | Lactating (%) | Wool (lbs) | Meat (lbs) | Breed | | --------- | --------- | ---------- | ------------- | ---------- | ---------- | ------ | | Meat | 40 | 60 | 0 | 540 | 7,581 | Texel | | Micro | 35 | 45 | 20 | 900 | 3,615 | Romney | | Wool | 30 | 70 | 0 | 1,400 | 5,688 | Merino | ##### Meat Production Details (1 year cycle): Standards: 170% lambing rate (twins common), 15-17% cull rate | Herd Type | Sources | Total Meat (lbs/yr) | | ---------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- | | Meat | • Market lambs(120): 110 × 45% = 49.5 lbs • Cull ewes(32): 130 × 38% = 49.4 lbs | 7,581 | | Micro ??? | • Market lambs(70): 100 (live lbs) x 42%(dress) = 42 lbs • Cull ewes(15): 125 (live lbs) x 36%(dress) = 45 lbs | 3,615 | | Wool | • Market lambs(120): 90 × 40% = 36 lbs • Cull ewes(32): 115 × 35% = 40.25 lbs | 5,688 | #### Cow Herd Production (50) | Herd Type | Calves (%) | Adults (%) | Meat (lbs) | Milk (lbs) | Primary Breed | Secondary Breed | | --------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ------------- | --------------- | | Meat | 50 | 50 | 22,498 | 0 | Angus | Hereford | | Micro ??? | 30 | 70 | 9,300 | 475,000 | Brown Swiss | Jersey | | Dairy | 25 | 75 | 7,161 | 570,000 | Holstein | Brown Swiss | ##### Meat Production Details: Standards: 85% calving rate, 15-20% beef cull rate, 25-30% dairy cull rate | Herd Type | Sources | Total Meat (lbs/yr) | | --------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- | | Beef | • Market steers(21): 1,100 × 58% = 638 lbs • Market heifers(14): 1,000 × 55% = 550 lbs • Cull cows(8): 1,400 × 50% = 700 lbs | 22,498 | | Micro??? | • Market steers/heifers(12): 1,000 (live lbs) x 50%(dress) = 500 lbs • Cull cows(10): 1,000 (live lbs) x 45%(dress) = 450 lbs • Non-replacement heifers(3): 800 (live lbs) x 50%(dress) = 400 lbs | 9,300 | | Dairy | • Bull calves(21): 250 × 40% = 100 lbs • Surplus heifers(7): 700 × 39% = 273 lbs • Cull cows(13): 1,000 × 35% = 350 lbs | 7,161 | #### Chicken Flock Production (500) | Flock Type | Young (%) | Adult (%) | Roosters (%) | Meat (lbs) | Eggs | Breed | | ---------- | --------- | --------- | ------------ | ---------- | ------- | ------------- | | Meat | 90 | 8 | 2 | 8,767 | 0 | Cornish Cross | | Micro ??? | 20 | 75 | 5 | 3,292 | 100,000 | New Hampshire | | Egg | 10 | 85 | 5 | 870 | 112,500 | Leghorn | ##### Meat Production Details: Standards: 8-10 week cycle, 5.5 cycles/year for meat birds, 85% lay rate | Flock Type | Sources | Total Meat (lbs/yr) | | ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- | | Meat | • Meat birds(450×5.5): 4.5 × 78% = 3.5 lbs • Cull birds(40): 3.5 × 75% = 2.6 lbs | 8,767 | | Micro ??? | • Meat birds(100×6.5): 5.5 (live lbs) x 67%(dress) = 3.7 lbs • Cull layers(375): 4.5 (live lbs) x 65%(dress) = 2.9 lbs | 3,292 | | Layer | • Cull layers(425): 3.5 × 55% = 1.9 lbs • Roosters(25): 4.5 × 55% = 2.5 lbs | 870 | #### Pig Herd Production (30) | Herd Type | Piglets (%) | Adults (%) | Lactating (%) | Meat (lbs) | Breed | | --------- | ----------- | ---------- | ------------- | ---------- | --------- | | Meat | 60 | 40 | 0 | 8,100 | Duroc | | Micro | 50 | 40 | 10 | 3,780 | Tamworth | | Lard | 55 | 45 | 0 | 6,525 | Berkshire | ##### Meat Production Details (1 year cycle): farrowing rate: 85% | Herd Type | Sources | Total Meat (lbs/yr) | | --------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------- | | Meat | • Market hogs (18): 280 × 72% = 202 lbs • Cull sows/boars (4): 500 × 65% = 325 lbs | 8,100 | | Micro ??? | • Market hogs (10): 250 × 70% = 175 lbs • Cull sows/boars (2): 450 × 63% = 284 lbs | 3,780 | | Lard | • Market hogs (16): 300 × 75% = 225 lbs • Cull sows/boars (3): 550 × 66% = 363 lbs | 6,525 | #### Freshwater Aquaculture System (10-Acre) ##### Stocking Densities & Expected Outputs | Component | Stocking Density (per 10 acres) | Annual Yield (lbs) | Edible? | Purpose | | ---------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------ | ------- | ----------------------------------- | | Polyculture Fish (Including Algae-Grazers) | 15,000 lbs | 18,000 lbs | Yes | Meat production, algae control | | Freshwater Mussels & Clams | 50,000 mussels | 2,000 lbs | No | Water filtration, ecosystem health | | Floating Aquatic Plants (Duckweed, Watercress) | 20% surface coverage | 5,000 lbs | Yes | Edible biomass, nutrient absorption | ##### Seasonal Inputs & Outputs | Season | Fish Feed (lbs) | Oxygenation (kW) | Plant Growth (lbs) | Meat Yield (lbs) | | ------ | --------------- | ---------------- | ------------------ | ---------------- | | Spring | 2,250 | 11.0 | 1,875 | 4,950 | | Summer | 2,812 | 13.0 | 2,500 | 5,400 | | Fall | 1,500 | 9.0 | 875 | 4,050 | | Winter | 188 | 5.0 | 125 | 900 | ##### Key Takeaways 1. Mussels & clams should not be eaten due to potential heavy metal accumulation but provide essential water filtration. 2. Duckweed & watercress are edible and serve as nutrient absorbers to prevent algae overgrowth. 3. Fish require no feeding in winter if the lake is frozen; they survive on stored energy. 4. Oxygenation is critical year-round, especially in summer when oxygen demand peaks. #### #### Cereal Crop Harvesting | **Crop** | **Harvest Method** | **Removed for Consumption** | **Left in Field** | **Dry Matter Remaining (lbs/acre)** | | ------------ | -------------------------- | ------------------------------- | --------------------------- | ----------------------------------- | | **Corn** | Grain Harvesting (Combine) | Kernels only | Stalks, leaves, cobs, husks | **2500** | | | Ear Snapper Harvesting | Whole ears (grain + cob + husk) | Stalks, leaves | **2000** | | | Silage Harvesting | Whole plant | Minimal leftover | **500** | | **Wheat** | Grain Harvesting (Combine) | Grain (for flour, feed) | Straw, stubble | **1500** | | | Whole Crop Silage | Entire above-ground biomass | Minimal leftover | **300** | | **Soybeans** | Grain Harvesting (Combine) | Beans (for oil, meal, feed) | Stalks, pods, leaves | **1200** | | | Whole Crop Silage | Entire plant | Minimal leftover | **250** | | **Oats** | Grain Harvesting (Combine) | Oat grain (for food, feed) | Straw, stubble | **1800** | | | Whole Crop Silage | Entire plant | Minimal leftover | **350** | | **Barley** | Grain Harvesting (Combine) | Grain (for brewing, feed) | Straw, stubble | **1700** | | | Whole Crop Silage | Entire plant | Minimal leftover | **400** | #### Grazing Plan Analysis ### Winter Feeding #### Haylage - 50% moisture - needed december - march = 120 days - 50 cows x 30lb DM/day + 200 lambs x 4lb DM/day = 2300lb DM/day - 276k DM over winter -- 10% spoilage --> 300k DM over winter - pasture production: 5K dm/acre - total haylage needed 60 acres 1 cutting - haylage weight = 600K lbs - haylage in bunker silo 45 lbs/ft³ --> total volume = 13333 (~15k ft³) - 35 ft wide × 12 ft high × ~36 ft long would be suitable for your ### Monthly Dry Matter Availability (lbs/acre) | Source | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | | --------------------- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | ----- | | Primary Pasture | X | X | X | 1500 | 2500 | 2000 | 1500 | 1200 | 1800 | 1500 | 800 | X | | Stockpile Pasture | 1200 | 1000 | 800 | X | X | X | X | X | X | 2000 | 1800 | 1500 | | Apple Orchard | X | X | X | 1200 | 2000 | 1800 | 1500 | 2200 | 2500 | 2800 | 1500 | X | | Pear Orchard | X | X | X | 1200 | 2000 | 1800 | 1500 | 2500 | 2800 | 2200 | 1500 | X | | Cherry Orchard | X | X | X | 1200 | 2000 | 1800 | 2200 | 2000 | 1800 | 1500 | 1000 | X | | Corn Residue | 1000 | 800 | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 2500 | 2000 | 1500 | | Wheat Residue (1st) | X | X | X | X | X | X | 1500 | 1200 | 800 | X | X | X | | Wheat Residue (2nd) | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 1500 | 1200 | 800 | X | | Soybean Residue | 800 | 600 | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 1200 | 1000 | 900 | | Total DM Available | 3000 | 2400 | 800 | 5100 | 8500 | 7400 | 8200 | 9100 | 11200 | 14900 | 10400 | 3900 | Notes: - X = No access/not available - Degradation rates: - Crop residue: -20% per month - Stockpile: -15% per month - Fallen fruit: -30% after 3 weeks - Rest periods required: - Primary pasture: 45 days - Orchard understory: 60 days - Crop residue: One-time graze - Stockpile: Continuous winter grazing - All sources suitable for strip grazing with proper design - silvo pasture orchard yield reduced 30-40% vs conventional spacing - Numbers assume adequate rainfall and soil conditions - using grain harvesting, standing cereal grain crops can be used for winter grazing ### Seasonal Usage - months: graze - stockpile: - silage: (cut -> wilt -> silage bags)