Review by Carolyn Nation

Long before planting the first fence post , the year-round grazier should be at work, planning exactly where those fence posts should go, and penciing out grazing and economic scenarios that will result in profitablity.

Steve Kenyon walks graziers through a full year of practical, thoughtful planning making The Calendar of the Year-Round Grazier a handbook with economic decision making and grazing plans.  Other lessons focus on how to figure Gross Margin Ratios, Rent Ratios, Gross Margin Analysis and the importance of Cash Flow.

He challenges readers to define their strengths to maximize personal skills and talents for their operations.  When the grass season begins, he shares grazing strategies to help producers learn from mistakes he has made and how to avoid them.

Kenyon runs a custom grazing operation in Alberta, Canada.  Despite a short grazing season, his cattle work year-round.  In the summer he manages 3,000 acres for 1,200 yearlings.  In winter a reduced number of cattle nose through the snow to feast on forage cut and laid out in swaths earlier in the year.  His methods allow him to feed 300 heard of cattle in winter witth a our of work a week.  He details how to set up and manage swath and bale grazing for producers living in snow country.The book covers four principles of grazing management:

• water management
• sunlight harvesting
• nutrient recycling
• biological life

He explains how to read your pastures and leave more residue.  He encourages producers to use sustainable grazing practices that improve the land, and add biodiversity with forage to create an economically sustainable business for generations.

The Calendar of the Year-Round Grazier will give new graziers a sound foundation for a successful operation.  In addition, long-time graziers will enjoy a fresh look at the finance and economic sections.