Monitor Animal Performance and Manure

What happens here

Observing animal health (e.g., a thin cow on the 'death triangle' slide) indicates insufficient nutrition from the pasture. Conversely, healthy animals in lush grass reflect good forage quality. Critically, the speaker identifies animal manure as the 'most valuable asset' from a cow, highlighting its role in nutrient cycling. Each 'dollar bill' of manure enriches the soil. Soil nutrient testing directly complements these observations. If animals are not performing well, or if manure is not breaking down effectively, soil tests can pinpoint underlying nutrient deficiencies or biological imbalances that hinder nutrient cycling and pasture growth. Regular monitoring helps ensure that the 'soil biology' is effectively working to decompose manure and make nutrients available.

Goal: Animal performance (e.g., body condition, weight gain) and manure quality are key indicators of pasture and soil health. Soil nutrient testing helps correlate these observations with nutrient cycling and availability in the soil.