The following publications cover topics related to Pasture-Based Dairy. For a complete list of MU Extension publications, visit the main Publications page.

Dairy (Grazing) Planning Budget

Revised

Use this budget to estimate costs and returns for a 150-cow rotational grazing dairy (replacements raised on-farm) in Missouri, and see input, feed and investment needs.

Dairy Heifer Planning Budget

Revised

Use this budget to estimate costs and returns for raising dairy heifers purchased at birth, bred and sold at 24 months in Missouri, and see input and feed needs.

Dairy (Confinement) Planning Budget

Revised

Use this budget to estimate costs and returns for a 150-cow confinement dairy (replacements raised on-farm) in Missouri and see input, feed and investment needs.

Strip-Grazing Milo as a Low-Cost Winter Forage

New

Learn how to utilize strip-grazing milo as a cost-effective winter forage option for livestock, reducing feed expenses and enhancing pasture management.

Dairy Grazing: Genetics of the Grazing Cow

Reviewed

Dairy grazing publication series

This publication is one in a series about operating and managing a pasture-based dairy. Although these publications often refer to conditions in Missouri, many of the principles and concepts described may apply to operations throughout the United States.

Forage Crop Irrigation Systems and Economics

Revised

Before choosing a forage irrigation system to mitigate drought risk, explore expected forage response to irrigation, equipment options and the economics.

Dairy Grazing: Growth of Pasture Plants

Reviewed

Dairy grazing publication series

This publication is one in a series about operating and managing a pasture-based dairy. Although these publications often refer to conditions in Missouri, many of the principles and concepts described may apply to operations throughout the United States.

Dairy Grazing: Selecting the Right Forage

Reviewed

Dairy grazing publication series

This publication is one in a series about operating and managing a pasture-based dairy. Although these publications often refer to conditions in Missouri, many of the principles and concepts described may apply to operations throughout the United States.

Lagoon Solids Removal and Solid Separation System Improvement at a Dairy Farm

Reviewed

Explore methods for managing lagoon solids in flush dairy systems, including removal techniques and solid separation system improvements.​

Dairy Grazing: Heifer Development

Revised

Heifers are the foundation of any dairy enterprise and directly affect future profitability. Learn how to manage a heifer development program to maintain a herd with farm-raised heifers and save the cost of buying replacement heifers in this guide.

Starting a 600-Cow Intensive Rotational Grazing Dairy

Revised

Learn how to start a 600-cow rotational grazing dairy, covering startup costs, design planning, labor needs, and profitability specific to Missouri farms.

Starting a 300-Cow Intensive Rotational Grazing Dairy

Revised

Examine costs and returns for starting a 300-cow intensive rotational grazing Missouri dairy using capital investment assumptions and financial statements.

Starting a 150-Cow Intensive Rotational Grazing Dairy

Revised

Examine costs and returns for starting a 150-cow intensive rotational grazing Missouri dairy using capital investment assumptions and financial statements.

Dairy Grazing: Economics of Pasture-Based Dairies

Reviewed

Keeping records and tracking cost and production benchmarks can help you gauge a grazing dairy's financial performance. Read about pasture dairy performance indicators in this MU Extension guide.

Converting an Existing Dairy to a 75-Cow Intensive Rotational Grazing Dairy

Revised

Examine the financial feasibility of converting a conventional dairy into a 75-cow rotational grazing operation, including costs, herd management, and returns.

Starting a 75-Cow Intensive Rotational Grazing Dairy

Revised

Examine feasibility of converting a conventional dairy into a 75-cow intensive rotational grazing dairy using the income and cash flow statements and budget.

Dairy Grazing: Keys to Building a Profitable Pasture-Based Dairy

Revised

Discover four characteristics of profitable pasture-based dairies: system design, focused investments, cost control and careful approach to financial leverage.

Dairy Grazing: Dairy Career Paths

Revised

Discover how to move toward owning or partnering in a grazing dairy by working as an employee, managing a farm, contract milking or sharemilking.

Water Source Development for Irrigation Systems

Revised

This guide helps producers assess irrigation feasibility by evaluating water sources, legal considerations, and estimating storage needs.​

Dairy Grazing: Managing Pasture for Yield, Quality, Persistence and Intake

New

Dairy grazing publication series

This publication is one in a series about operating and managing a pasture-based dairy. Although these publications often refer to conditions in Missouri, many of the principles and concepts described may apply to operations throughout the United States.

Dairy Grazing: Fence and Water Systems

New

This publication describes various fence and water systems appropriate for dairy grazing management.

Dairy Grazing: Milk Quality

New

Learn strategies to enhance milk quality in pasture-based dairies, focusing on mastitis prevention, somatic cell count reduction, and best management practices.

Dairy Grazing: Pasture Establishment

New

Establishing permanent pastures for dairy grazing involves selecting appropriate forage species, ensuring soil fertility, and choosing optimal seeding times

Dairy Grazing: Reproduction

New

Dairy producers, learn about the cow’s reproductive structure and its more critical hormones, plus various ways to get cows and heifers pregnant in this University of Missouri Extension guide.

Dairy Grazing: Philosophy of Pasture-Based Dairying

New

Pasture-based dairying can reduce labor, feed costs, and improve farm profitability. Managing grazing systems efficiently benefits time and financial returns.

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