Staff work with farmers and other partners to provide research, information (including our Pasture Calendar, and sign up for the email calendar), educational opportunities (including grazing workshops and the Vermont Grazing & Livestock Conference), and technical support.
The Center's Pasture Program is here to help farmers who are seeking to get started on grass farming right, and experienced farmers looking to convert to or improve their grass-based operations..
Help with Your Grazing Plan
Good grazing starts with observation and a good plan to keep all of the elements of your farm in balance, and then by accessing the tools available to help you develop a system that meets your goals. Our Key Elements of a Grazing Plan page provides an outline to help you along the way..
Pasture Improvement Tools to Build Your Soil's Health
We strongly feel that most livestock farms could benefit from at least some level of pasturing. This would reduce cost of production, help animal health, and also improve the land. we can find a system to help every farm move towards more pasture-based production, even for those who may not be able to go to a full pasture-based system.
Click here for information and recommendations.
- Developing a Bee-Friendly Pasture recommendations.
- UVM soil test information
- UVM forage test information
- Dairy One forage test information
- Dairy One soil test information
- Cumberland Valley Analytical Services forage & feed analysis information
- Rock River Labs.
- Pasture Management & Soil Conservation
- Pasture Management & Water Quality
- Addressing Pasture Compaction (including Keyline Plowing & Forage Radishes)
Why Management-intensive Grazing? I already have animals on grass (PDF)- Teaching Livestock to Become Managers of Weeds & Invasives
Links to Grass Farming & Livestock Research
Our purpose is to understand what is and what isn't working in grass-based farming systems now, and to explore, understand, and share promising practices for a resilient future.
Click here for a list of current research topics.
- Implementing and Evaluating Woodchip Heavy-use Areas for Livestock in the Northeast
- Timing of Supplementation for Dairy Cows
- Connecticut River Watershed Assistance (Long Island Sound RCPP)
- Enhancing Research and Education for Grass Farmers (Philo Ridge Project)
- Tools for grass farmers to monitor grazing behavior and forage utilization in real time
- Increasing Ecosystem Services and Climate Change Resilience In Dominant Agroecosystems of the Northeast
- Demonstrating effects of biological and mechanical compaction best management practices on soil properties and water movement
- Biodiversity & Cattle Wellbeing
Pasture Information by Animal Species
Are you looking for specific recommendations for your grass-based operation, or looking to learn more about what's involved in getting your animals onto pasture? Take a look below for some of our recommendations and research regarding different livestock species.
Dairy Cattle
We know that supporting dairy farmers as they seek to protect both profitability and soil and water quality is key to a resilient farming future for Vermont.
Here we have gathered resources that may be of special use for those raising dairy cattle in Vermont, and hope you'll let us know if you have any questions or would like to know more.
Swine
The demand for pork from pigs raised humanely and on pasture, continues to grow. Partnerships with Penn State and UNH Extension have helped the Center's team continue work on Swine that was begun with a grant from the Working Lands Enterprise Board and collaboration with NOFA-VT.
Our focus has been on supporting greater connection between existing experienced and new swine producers at all sizes and stages of growth; offering educational opportunities for producers to learn more about swine nutrition, health, housing, and value-added products; and developing further tools and options to help future expansion be successful.
In summer 2020, we were able to co-present a webinar series on Swine Reproduction, including these two presented with Dr. Elizabeth Hines from Penn State Extension.
See presentation slides from Aug. 6, 2020 webinar. (PDF download)
See presentation slides from Aug. 13, 2020 webinar. (PDF download)
More swine resources are collected here:
- Across the Fence video segment on pastured pigs in Vermont
- How to Raise Pigs on Pasture (link to On Pasture article from a farmer who's been through a few learning processes)
- Interested in connecting with and learning from other Vermont farmers raising pigs on pasture? Join the UVM-managed Swine listserv.
- Final report of the Swine Project.
Beef Cattle
Resources for those seeking to raise beef cattle on pasture.
Sheep
Long before Vermont was famous for its cows, we were a sheep farming state. Today, we still have a vibrant industry of farmers raising sheep (and their near relatives, goats) spread out through the state. Our Pasture Program team is glad to help you find out how to improve your grazing operations for small ruminants too.
Some helpful resources for you to browse on your own:
Goats
- Vermont Sheep & Goat Association
- Commerical Goat Dairy Guide (very large PDF)
- Email Grazing Specialist Kimberly Hagen for help on your goat farm
- WCAX story about using goats to control invasive species with the Putney Mountain Association.
- (And if you're curious about using goats to help control weeds and invasive species, visit our page with more tips and information.)
Horses
Vermont has many horse farmers who are seeking to make their operations more environmentally sustainable by improving their pasture management. Though many equine operations are small (and therefore exempt from Vermont's Required Agricultural Practices), we are glad to work with you on a grazing plan for your horses in order to have healthy animals, healthy soil and clean water.
- Greener Pastures (PDF)
- Stable Footing for Your Horse (PDF)
- Seeking Balance: Elements of a Successful Horse Grazing System (PDF)
- "Horses on Pasture" videos on the Center's YouTube channel, from Gwyneth Harris's workshop at the 2018 Vermont Grazing & Livestock Conference.
- Email Grazing Specialist Kimberly Hagen with questions about pasture management for your horses.
List of all the Pasture & Livestock resources, recommendations & research we have in these pages:
- Agricultural Water Quality Resources
- Agroforestry
- Bedded Pack
- Bedding Strategies for Udder Health on Organic Dairy Farms
- Biodiversity & Cattle Well-Being
- Connecticut River Watershed Assistance (RCPP)
- Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program
- Early Findings on Wool Pellets as a Fertilizer for Vegetable Farms (PDF)
- Enhancing Research and Education for Grass Farmers
- Farmers' Findings from VGFA Mini-Grants
- Key Elements of a Grazing Plan
- New England Grazing Network
- Pasture & Surface Water Fencing Program
- Pasture Management & Water Quality
- Soil Compaction
- Timing of supplementation for dairy cows
- Tools for grass farmers to monitor grazing behavior and forage utilization in real time
- Using Livestock to Control Invasive Plants
- Vermont Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Program
- Vermont Organic Custom Grazing Network
- The Vermont Wool Project
- Why Management-intensive Grazing?
- Looking for something else? Contact us!
Interested in knowing more about the Center's work or do you have a question we haven't answered here? Contact us via email or 802-656-5459 and we'll do our best to help.
Recent Headlines
Check out some of our latest findings & recommended practices over on the Pasture Program channel on YouTube.