How Iowa State University Has Seen Benefits from Swath Grazing

For those looking for a feeding strategy this winter, swath grazing can be an effective option to save producers time, labor and money. Farmers with access to a field for mowing, fencing materials and a water source are all good candidates for this practice. Broken down, the process starts by cutting down forage in late fall and positioned in windrows for winter grazing.

Iowa State University is one advocate for this approach, utilizing the practice on their university farm for a third consecutive year. In 2020, the universities’ herd was able to swath graze all the way through mid-February ahead of needing supplemental feed in March. This equated to 70% of the forage being utilized, roughly 88.1 cow-days per acre.

Read more on swath grazing and additional benefits for farmers to consider.