EXTENDED GRAZING SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING ECONOMIC RETURNS FROM NEBRASKASANDHILLS COW-CALF OPERATIONS

Three winter treatments were cross classified with 2 spring treatments to create 6 feeding and grazing systems utilizing Nebraska sandhills range and subirrigated meadow forage. Systems were evaluated with mult iparous crossbred beef cows over 4 years (240 head beginning year 1). Systems were: 1) grazing range during winter; 2) grazing subirrigated meadow during winter; and 3) full feed of meadow hay during winter; in combination with either: a) full feed of subirrigated meadow hay duri ng May, or b) grazing subirrigated meadow during May. From June throug h November all cows grazed range. The feeding and grazing systems were compared with selected linear contrasts and evaluated with respect to variable input prices. Some differences in cow body weight and body c ondition occurred but differences were considered small. Throughout th e study, cows on all systems generally maintained a body condition sco re of about 5 (1 to 9 scale) year long. Inputs of hay were reduced by grazing range or subirrigated meadow during winter and during May with out affecting pregnancy rate. Weaning weight of calves was increased 5 .0 kg by grazing meadow during May compared to feeding hay during May. When opportunity costs were included in the analysis, the most profit able system involved grazing subirrigated meadow during winter and dur ing May. Grazing subirrigated meadow during May enhanced the profitabi lity of all wintering systems.