Effects of Different Organic Pastures on Dairy Heifer Growth and Development

This webinar by Jacob Hadfield of the University of Utah Extension took place on Feb. 20, 2020.

Raising dairy heifers in a certified organic setting can be difficult for producers. Traditionally, heifers are raised in a confined setting and fed a total mixed ration (TMR) that is balanced to contain all the needed nutrients for developing heifers. Organic producers can use a TMR in their operations, but due to high organic feed costs, many choose to raise their heifers in pasture-based systems. While pasture-based systems may lower costs, heifers on pasture commonly have lower rates of gain, which can be financially burdensome to producers.

Grass-legume pastures may help improve rates of gain in heifers on pasture-based systems. To address these challenges, researches at Utah State University, the University of Idaho and the USDA-ARS are working with Extension educators to determine if grass-legume mixed pastures can properly grow and develop dairy heifers.  Jake Hadfield, of USU Extension, will describe the effects that different organic pastures had on heifer growth and development.

About the Presenter

Jake Hadfield works for USU Extension in Cache County as the Agriculture Extension Agent. He was a major contributor on the dairy heifer organic grazing project as the graduate student monitoring the growth and development of dairy heifers. Jake was raised on a family beef operation in Utah, where he gained a passion for agriculture. That passion is what brought him to Utah State focusing his research on agriculture production systems. Jake and his wife, Jessie, live in Logan, Utah.