Pasture Irrigation and Fencing Resources for Small Farms

Publications and articles informing the public about how to properly irrigate and fence in forage pastures.

Fencing

17 Mistakes To Avoid With Electric Fencing

A list of common mistakes fence builders should know about before tackling the task of building a fence.

Waybe Burleson | Mar 2018 | Online resource

Planning & Building Fences on the Farm

Many innovations have occurred in the fencing industry in recent years, giving producers an array of options for fences to confine and protect livestock. Whether used as permanent, periphery boundaries, temporary pasture dividers or to encircle a house, fences need careful planning and construction for efficient usefulness, long life and low maintenance.

Michael J. Buschermohle, James B. Wills, W. Warren Gill, Clyde D. Lane | Sep 2018 | Online resource

Paddock Design, Fencing, and Water Systems for Controlled Grazing

Interest in controlled grazing is increasing throughout the United States. Controlled grazing systems are economically feasible and are now more easily managed because of developments in fencing and water technology. This publication covers some of the basics of paddock design and current fencing and water technology. Paddock design needs to be based on landscape, land productivity, water availability and the number and types of animals in the system. Water systems are more complex and expensive than fencing systems. Producers need to understand all the technology available before establishing a grazing system. A good way to explore the technology is to order catalogs from companies that sell fencing or water systems.

Ron Morrow, Alice Beetz, Lee Rinehart | Apr 2009 | Online resource

Planning Fencing Systems For Controlled Grazing

Controlled grazing can be an economical way to provide forage to grazing animals. Utilizing pasture as a major portion of the forage plan can significantly reduce feed costs during the grazing season.

Susan Wood Gay, S. Ray Smith, Gordon E. Groover | Sep 2018 | Online resource

Irrigation

Efficient Irrigation of Perennial Forages with Wheel Lines in the Pacific Northwest

Mismanaged irrigation wastes water, prevents crops from reaching their optimal yields, encourages nutrient leaching and runoff and leads to a less-than-optimal cost-to-return ratio. Efficiently managing wheel lines benefits irrigators and other community water users.

Ian McGregor, María Isabel Zamora Re, Gordon B. Jones, Troy Peters | May 2023 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Drip Irrigation: An Introduction

Discusses the advantages of drip irrigation and how it can help growers use water efficiently. Covers basic concepts related to components and design as well as management considerations such as placement of the ...

Clinton Shock, Teresa Welch | Jul 2021 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Irrigating pastures

Irrigating pastures can provide livestock with nutrition long into summer. Learn to monitor soil moisture to determine when to irrigate and how much water to apply.

Mylen Bohle | Jul 2007 | Article

Mar 2018

Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Pasture and forages, Irrigation

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Potential Impacts of Irrigation on Biocontrol of Spotted-Wing Drosophila

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Can cows find water by smell?

How do cows find water, assuming that there is no previous knowledge on the cow's part? There is no substantive evidence that cows can smell water. It seems to be generally agreed upon that cows either stumble upon water ...

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Forage value of pasture weeds

Forage quality of common pasture weeds was determined through laboratory testing to compare feed value of weeds to desirable forage species and nutrient requirements for grazing livestock.

Shelby Filley, Andy Hulting, Amy Peters | May 2010 | Article

How to determine pasture rental rates

You can determine rental rates for pasturing cattle and sheep by using the average cost in an area and then factoring in variables such as animal size, pasture quality, work done by each party and lease length.

Shelby Filley | Aug 2018 | Article

Managing Small-Acreage Horse Farms in Central and Eastern Oregon

This publication presents a system for managing horses, pastures, and manure that will make your farm safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly. It is intended for horse farms from 1 to 10 acres in the high dry regions of eastern and central Oregon.

Garry Stephenson, David Hannaway, Mylen Bohle, Linda Brewer, Ellen Hammond, Cory Parsons, Peter Schreder, Melissa Fery | Nov 2007 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Pasture management: Understanding plant and root growth in the fall

A healthy pasture is a vital resource for a livestock operation, and it requires year-round attention. One of the most critical periods is the fall when decisions dictate how much forage will be produced for the season.

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Oregon Forage Library

The Oregon Forage Library is a collection of hay test results on hay grown around the state. An update to the library is currently in progress. It will contain hay test values found since this publication was written.

Mylen Bohle, Gene Pirelli, Willie Riggs, Shelby Filley, Diane Carrol, Mark Keller | Oct 1998 | Publication Peer reviewed (Gray level)

What’s that moss doing in my pasture?

When moss grows in pastures, it's usually a sign of a deeper problem. Permanently getting rid of moss requires addressing the underlying problem, whether that's the condition of the soil or too much shade.

Melissa Fery | Mar 2007 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Why do I need water rights for irrigation?

Many landowners don't know that they need a legal water right to use surface water and groundwater for irrigation. Oregon’s water resources are publicly owned, and in great demand. Even though the water runs through your ...

Melissa Fery | Apr 2018 | Article

How to manage tansy ragwort

Tansy ragwort is dangerous to livestock and human, and spring is the best time to battle a pasture infestation of the weed.

Melissa Fery | Jun 2018 | Article

Inland Pacific Northwest Pasture Calendar

Learn the opportunities and challenges of sustainably raising forages in a diverse environment.

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Improving calf performance by extending the grazing season with warm-season grasses and brassica forages

This research project set out to determine whether grazing cow-calf pairs on warm season grasses and brassica pastures would extend the grazing season and positively affect calf weaning weights and other characteristics.

Shelby Filley, Janice Hunter | Dec 2019 | Article

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