Jim Gerrish retired from his research job at the University of Missouri more than a decade ago for a new venture in grazing management in Idaho. Gerrish's words of grazing wisdom from his days in Missouri have become important fodder for producers interested in intensive grazing management and soil and grass health. However, at a Yankton, S.D. stop along the Jim Gerrish Winter Road Show through South Dakota recently, Gerrish admitted that he has learned a lot since his move to Idaho and has changed his theory on grazing management by moving to a more arid climate.

"I've learned more in the last 10 years than I did in more than 20 years in the research business," Gerrish said. "I learned an appreciation for the power of water and what the reality of water is in a drier environment." In Missouri, Gerrish worked with cattle and sheep on cool season grass-legume pasture mixtures, and some native tall grass prairie. In Idaho, Gerrish's operation works with center pivot irrigation because annual precipitation is considerably less. Challenges came along particularly in the winter in Idaho because animals have to go one half mile to water and temperatures are extremely cold. In addition, he also has to deal with extreme pressure from elk, antelope and deer running through fences. While the challenges of both environments are different, the principles of grazing management are similar, and these principles can be used to overcome the challenges, Gerrish said.

He noted that the cattle business comes down basically to photosynthesis which is sunshine, water, soil and microbes and air. "The land is as good of a solar panel as you could ask for," he said. But if the land is only bare ground, producers are missing great opportunities to capture the power of the sun, he added. Here are five quotable words of wisdom from Gerrish's presentation.

1 "If you let the cows manage the business, you won't be in business long."

2 "Not making a choice IS a choice and not making a decision IS making a decision."

3 "Day to day grazing management decisions impact the water cycle."

4 "Carrying capacity is not fixed and the upper limits are determined by environment."

5 "How much of the potential we capture is up to management."

You can learn more about Gerrish's grazing business and words of wisdom at americangrazlinglands.com.