Pasture Ecology Training
Being a pathways Intern means endless hours of training and learning the job of planning conservation practices on the land. One of the most interesting trainings I have had the opportunity to take was Pastureland Ecology II. This training was an in depth look at raising organic dairy cows on pasture instead of a feed lot environment.
There are many moving parts in an organic dairy that uses pasture to feed the herd of dairy cows. Things to consider are:
- Pasture Condition
- Animal Condition
- Animal Type
- Balancing Diet
- Grazing
- Agricultural Waste Management
- Nutrient Management
- Fencing and Watering
- Animal trails
- Shade
- Milking
- Breeding
This system is interconnected, each part is complex upon itself and when you produce a systems map each part needs to be in balance with the others so that the system runs smoothly. If one part of the system fails it can bring the operation to a halt.
Studying this subject at the University of New Hampshire in Durham for a week with experts in the field is one of the reasons I love my job and appreciate the opportunities I have been given as a Pathways Intern.
NRCS Internship 