REPORT TO THE RESEARCH SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE MAINE POTATO BOARD

January, 2006

Project Title: Backgrounding Cattle in Aroostook County Including a Winter Wheat as a

Potential Dual-Purpose Rotation Crop

Project Duration: April 1, 2005 to Dec. 31, 2005.

Budget Approved: $ 4,000

Personnel: Dee Potter UMCE Ft. Kent

Peter Sexton (principal investigator) UMCE Presque Isle

Matt Williams UMCE Houlton

Summary: “Backgrounding” cattle is the practice of grazing young cattle on summer pasture to increase their weight. This production system was tested on an organic potato farm in Westmanland, Maine on the farm of Erich and Ed Margeson. Winter wheat and perennial ryegrass were used as forages (four acres of each for a total of 8 acres). The wheat will be evaluated in the coming spring to see how well it overwintered. Twelve animals were weighed on July 5 and August 23 as start and end dates for the trial. Six of the animals served as a control group and were on pasture of timothy and clover. The other six grazed winter wheat and perennial ryegrass. The original intention was to run the trial through the fall, but problems with fencing and the animals getting out precluded that and the trial was brought to an end in late August. Because of dry weather, the forage from the winter wheat was insufficient for the cattle and the animals started to leave the field. Cattle on pasture gained on average 3.3 lbs per day while the backgrounded cattle gained on average 3.0 lbs per day. The difference between the groups was not statistically significant.

The following conclusions were drawn:

• Palatability of the winter wheat as a forage was good.
• For organic growers, the forage/grazing cycle might help control weeds.
• There should have been a greater acreage of pasture per animal to help compensate for the drought stress that occurred.
• Another option would be to have some reserve pasture or other provision for extra forage in case of drought.
• It will be important to match the forage grown to the pH of the soil.
• Fencing and maintenance are the number one drawbacks of backgrounding.
• If this were to be a regular practice for a grower, it would probably be wise to invest in a permanent perimeter fence with double wire and tape on top.
• Weeds limited the value of the ryegrass.
• For livestock producers where pasture or hay ground were limiting, backgrounding might be a useful management approach.
• A key component will be how well the winter wheat overwinters. If it overwinters well, it will increase the return from the whole system. This is a work in progress.