Conservation of Private Grazing Land

Approximately five percent of Michigan's agricultural land is pasture for animal grazing.  Properly managed grazing land provides benefits to animals and farmers as well the environment.

Grazing Information 

Extending the Grazing Season. Conquering the Summer Slump. Forage Research. Fencing Ideas. Weed Control. If you have questions relating to these and other range and pasture topics, there’s plenty of information on the Internet.  The following is a brief a listing of grazing information available. 

• Michigan Grazing Technical Tools
• National Conservation Grazing Lands Initiative (GLCI)- Links to all nine GLCI member organizations, contact information for regional coordinators and steering committee members, archives of all past GLCI News issues and up-to-date grazing events calendar.
• MSU Forage Information Systems - Past and present forage research project summaries, extension bulletins and other publications, information to assist with making grazing decisions.
• Michigan Crop Weather - Only active during the "official" growing season.
• Forage Systems Research Center - For producers in the eastern and central U.S.  List of pdf publications for downloading.
• University of Wisconsin Forages
• Purdue Forage Information
• Oklahoma Forage Extension Publications
• Kansas State Forage Information
• Mississippi State University
• Texas A&M
• Oregon State University Forage Information - Information and links on hay, pasture and silage from across the U.S. 
• Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation - Click on "ag division" box at bottom of the homepage.  Plant image gallery.
• Hay and Forage Grower Magazine - A bi-monthly publication geared towards alfalfa growers.
• Pasture Management - How-to website on grazing and grazing management.
• The Ranch - Database of weeds and management strategies for range and pasture.
• Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas - Sustainable farming practices, alternative livestock enterprises and innovative marketing.
• Center for Grassland Studies
• Grazing Lands Technology Institute
• American Forage and Grassland Council
• Society for Range Management
• U.S. Government Research
• National NRCS Grazing Land Website
• Range and Grazing Land Ecology
• National Plants Database
   

Tips for finding information:
1)  The "research" or "publication" button on a website may lead to the most useful information.
2)  Check the website's "links" to locate more detailed information.
3)  Most websites include contact information to call or e-mail specialists.

Contact

Grazing Specialist
Betsy Dierberger
Phone:  517-324-5265
E-mail:  betsy.dierberger@mi.usda.gov