The Future of Grass-based Agriculture is Bright
“The Future of Grass-based Agriculture is Bright!”
Latham, NY- Nebraskan Pasture Prophet, Terry Gompert’s quote of grass farming’s bright future brought a little sunshine to a frosty gang of graziers in the shadow of the state’s capital. Farmers and carbon cowboys armed with TIME magazine’s recent expose on the benefits of grass-farming, Save the Planet: Eat more Beef, provided the proper stock density to fill the Century House Conference Center to capacity. The 2nd annual winter green-up grass-fed beef conference committee harnessed a top notch lineup of speakers who warmed the large herd of graziers with hands-on knowledge, enthusiasm and passion to get every question answered.
Troy Bishopp, aka the “Grass Whisperer”, led off the day wearing a pair of human leather blinders that illustrated a focus to stay with the traditional ways of agriculture but then threw them aside so he could see all the opportunities in a grass-based farming system. “Planning, flexibility, cost control, grazing management and using animal impact to stir the natural seed bank and invigorate the soil life are the keys to success for a custom grazier, he said. With the price of feed, farmers should look at their budget and see how an off-farm grazing manager can help the bottom line by grazing non-lactating dairy animals or putting gain on grass-finished beef. There’s opportunity when everyone works together like a 3 legged stool.”
Ken Jaffe of Slope Farms in Delaware County described his grazing operation as a patchwork of enterprises from cow/calf to grass-finishing, culminating with his own approach to direct marketing. “You have to like communicating with the customer to be successful,” he said. This and connections with clients in New York City has led to consistent sales and marketing whole animals to restaurants, butcher shops and retail stores. “If I can do it, you can do it too”, he added. He is optimistic, because consumers are seeking more local, sustainably produced products. “This is good for New York Agriculture.”
The multi-faceted grazing guru, Terry Gompert, introduced farmers to holistic planned grazing concepts and practices while delivering the adage: “Grass-based farming is a great place to start”. He weaved his life experiences on being a grazing extension educator, a beef producer and a holistic observer of natural processes to the crowd. He laid out his vision of success: Understand what you want and design a program working toward your goals, get in sync with nature, build soil carbon, and keep the poisons off the land and animals. To that end, he said, “Be really careful at hating anything because the most nutritious weeds tend to be the ones we want to kill.” He described in detail, the inter-workings of ultra-high stock density, “mob” grazing strategies and how this herd effect has been a positive for the environment. Terry commented, “This herd effect is the only known method that can heal the land. We are essentially grazing half the fully rested sward and trampling the rest into the soil to build litter and biological activity. I like it because watching cows kick up their heels gives them joy and also treats my wallet right.”
Tallgrass Beef Company’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Allen Williams, served up advice on grass-finishing practices and the latest hot trends in the market place. He listed these top consumer preferences: Food choices that reflect personal philosophy, better food for kids, more artisanal, locally produced products, allergy conscious customers, animal welfare and environmental concerns, food safety and using culinary themed gatherings. “We are acutely aware of the 83 million people born between 1980 and 2000 (affectionately called millennials). This group of up and coming consumers will shape the future food system.”
Montana Rancher, Mark Deboo of Diamond D Angus gave a spirited but humble presentation on grass-fed genetics, maintaining profitable cows and delivering consistent animals to the marketplace. He started by saying, “In my opinion, the structure of cows has been lost in the chase for EPD numbers. We put a lot of emphasis on functional, economic traits achieved by line-breeding. Longevity, efficient use of forage and fertility are extremely important to a profitable ranch. Our success shows with many of the 260 head thriving past 11 years old.” He thanked his dad for staying with what worked and moving towards a later calving and also connecting with the grass-fed market at the right time.
Eric Shelley and Clint Layne from SUNY Cobleskill rounded out the lineup talking about processing and assisting local producers in adding value added meat products. A trade show with over 20 sponsors and vendors rounded out the educational information ranging from fencing, cattle genetics and pasture management. Folks enjoyed a smorgasbord of local food with New York beef as the star.
Janice Riccardi, event planner for the Century House, announced at lunch the family-owned facility would make a meal for meal donation to the regional food bank on behalf of the conference. That was over 400 meals donated! Managing partner, Colin DeMers and dedicated staff of the Century House have donated more than 57,000 meals since beginning the campaign in June.
This successful grazing movement and educational event was brought to you in force by Morgan Hartman of Black Queen Angus Farm (blackqueenangus@yahoo.com) and Tom Gallagher and Lisa Cox of Albany County Cornell Cooperative Extension (518-765-3500). Only 8 more weeks to grass!! Published in Lancaster Farming 3/6/10