2. Wilson Land & Cattle Co.
Wilson Land & Cattle Co. is a small family 205 acre farm w/130 acres pastured with multi species of livestock. Located
in south western Forest County of PA. Owned and operated by the Russ Wilson family. Wilson Land & Cattle Co. is
developing into a successful model for fulfilling relationships between soil, animals and people through a sustainable
farming enterprise dedicated to restorative agricultural practices.
Species of livestock raised
• Registered Black Angus Cattle – 85
• F-1 and F-2 Waygu Cattle (American Kobe Beef)-12
• Registered Dorset Sheep-35
• Cross Bred Sheep-40
• Poultry mixed spieces-200
• Hogs 1-sow and 1- boar
We are a sustainable farm, using innovative farming techniques, reducing inputs by using livestock as our harvesters,
and keeping soil covered year round for better soil health.
3. • Time and Money
• Better Feed ?
• More Pounds of Feed/
Acre
• Healthier Livestock
• Improved Soil Health
4. 30 51.08 54.4 43.43 35.5 38.27
22600
27400
58000
24400 24600
28800
15295
9887
14067 12783
15498 14976
0
10000
20000
30000
40000
50000
60000
70000
OP Minnastoa 13
86 Day
Grazing Corn A Grazing Corn B TA 232-18 83 Day TA085-02 85 Day TA 090-02 90 Day
Cost, Plant Population and Pounds Dry Matter
Cost Per Ton Plant Poplaution Pounds Dry Matter
7. 34%
56%
10%
Stover Ears W/ Husk Cover Crops
Minnesota 13 Open Pollinated Corn W/ Cover Crops
Ear W/ Husk 56% CP 8.00%
Stover 34% CP 4.7%
Cover Crop 10% CP 9.7%
Weighted Avg. CP 6.76%
Plant Population 22600
15,295 Pounds of dry matter to acre
Cost $30.00 per ton
8. Lower corn plant population
(22,600) =
• More Ears of Corn
• More Sun Light for Cover Crops
• More Tons to the Acre
• Less Cost to produce
• Better soil health
for the next crop
• 7 Ears of Corn
• 2 Stalks
10. The Highest Input on the average Farm is Human Labor
Things we didn’t have to do by grazing stock piled corn
1. Pick Corn
2. Store corn
3. Grind Corn
4. Feed Corn
5. Less Manure Barn Cleaned less often 12day vs 6day
6. Less Bedding (big input for use)
7. Less manure to load
8. Less Manure to spread
9. Less hay to make or Buy and Haul
10. Less hay to feed
11. List seems endless
Things we did do by grazing stock piled corn
1. Moved cattle in and out of the barn everyday
2. Set temporary fence everyday
3. Fed 1 bale of high quality hay every day for supplement
4. Fed balanced mineral pack
Second Highest Input is Fossil Fuel
How much Time and fossil fuel was saved?
11. How Much Money was saved
9.5 Acres of Corn W/Cover Crop
Avg. 6.88 ton to Acre
Avg. cost $42.11 Acre Over Entire Test
65.36 tons of feed
Total of $2752.31
Hay Production Cost $130.00 Ton for our farm to produce 1 ton of
hay
$130 X 65.36 ton
Total of $8496.80
For a Saving of $5744.49
If entire Test Was $30 per ton @ 7.65 ton to the acre X 9 ½ Acres
Cost Saving would be an additional $572.77
12. Grazing Day Comparison on our Farm
1 grazing day = 1-1000LBS stocking (animal) unit
• 2012 Corn field A 5 acres
Yield 6 very poor quality round bales of hay 3500 lbs dry matter
=
23 grazing days to the acre
• 2012 Corn Field B 4 ½ acres
Yield 200 grazing days of perennial grasses and weeds
=
44 grazing days to the acre
• 2013 Corn field A and B 9 ½ acres
Yield 64 grazing days X 79.5 stocking units
= 5088 grazing days
5088 grazing / 9.5 acres
=
536 grazing days to the acre
Perennial cool season grasses and legume mix permanent pasture 2013 508 days to the acre (our best and least expensive)
15. Over all
Body condition
And
Health
We try to maintain over all body condition of 5-6
Cattle did very well grazing. We had no
Health problems and maintained or gained weight
Grazing standing and cover crops
18. Little Buddies (earthworms)
Working Below Soil surface
earthworm tunnels can create "macro-pores" to aid the
movement of water through the soil. They also help
incorporate organic matter into the mineral soil to make
more nutrients available to plants.
19. Considerations When Grazing Corn W/ Cover Crops
• Use of Pesticides Check your Labels
• Use of Herbicides Check your Labels
• Livestock Choking
• Strip Graze so Livestock do not get too much
corn reduce risk of acidosis
• Winter water supply
• High nitrates in Corn and Cover crops
• Grazing earlier to improve feed value
• Class Livestock
20. Recommendations on my observations and data
Lower corn plant population 20,000- 24,000
Good lodge resistant corn
Shorter day corn
Plant cover crop for whatever your intentions are
Soil Fertility
Organic Matter
Increased Feed Value
Do not go with what looks the best
Take samples. It isn’t always what it seems!
Do your homework