Summer Stockpiling is a method of grazing management whereby cool season dominated pastures are rested from green-up until mid-summer, then grazed intensively in the late summer.  This forage, though not as high quality as spring flush growth, provides a grazing opportunity when other cool season grass growth has slowed down or is semi-dormant in the summer.  Summer stockpiled forage can be grazed intensively in the late summer and early autumn, allowing other pastures to rest, improving chances producers may be able to fall stockpile, and extend their grazing season into the fall and winter.  Winter feed costs, particularly hay, are often a leading expense of production for beef cattle producers.

Summer Stockpiling also has incidental benefits to the habitat of grassland nesting birds, which will also be discussed.  Incentive programs for rotational grazing, summer stockpiling and improving grassland bird habitat will also be covered.

Also, to be highlighted on the program is the Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Initiative at Virginia Tech.   The GAP initiative leverages partnerships, innovation, policy, and analysis to ensure every farmer has access to every proven tool to improve productivity. Find out more at www.globalagriculturalproductivity.org.  Summer Stockpiling offers a potential of maintaining or increasing agricultural production, while improving conservation, an important part of the GAP initiative.

This program is being put together by Virginia Forage and Grassland Council, Virginia Cooperative Extension – Graze 300, USDA-NRCS, Headwaters SWCD, Mountains to Bay Grazing Alliance, American Farmland Trust, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes program.  The program is also supported in part by a USDA-GLCI cooperative agreement.

For additional questions, please contact John Benner at benner89@vt.edu.

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