Grazing Systems. Continuous Rotational (Controlled) Management Intensive

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1 Introduction Livestock producers are grass farmers Grazing animals are selective Prior to fencing, animals roamed free over large areas in large herds Forages had time to recover after grazing Today, livestock are confined to a given area Grazing management focuses on the relationship between number, area, and time

2 Grazing Systems Continuous Rotational (Controlled) Management Intensive

3 Continuous One pasture 30 35% utilization Selective grazing Overgrazing of plants Uneven manure distribution

4 Rotational Two to sixteen pastures Improved forage utilization Incorporates a rest period Improvement in manure distribution

5 Management Intensive Seventeen or more pastures Up to 70% utilization Long rest periods Better manure distribution

6 Benefits of Grazing Management - Increase forage utilization - Increasing stock density (lbs. live weight / acre) - Decrease grazing selectivity

7 Benefits of a Grazing System Incorporates a plant rest period Allow plants time to recover from grazing and replenish its root energy reserves Length of rest period varies with the type of forage, amount of rainfall, and season of the year Most important during the growing season

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9 Benefits of a Grazing System Soil fertility and soil conservation Maintain soil fertility and decrease fertilizer inputs Recycle nutrients through livestock Incorporate crop residues and animal manure Decrease soil erosion and leaching of nutrients

10 Benefits of a Grazing System Forage availability inventory At any time, you can determine how much forage is available (drought) You have time to make important management decisions

11 Benefits of a Grazing System Weed control Control pasture abuse Cattle will eat some weeds at certain stages of growth Take advantage of multispecies grazing

12 Benefits of a Grazing System Animal health and nutrition Internal and external parasite control Stimulates forage intake and provides a more constant diet

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14 Benefits of a Grazing System Animal control Coordinate livestock location with seasonal activities Reduce labor requirements

15 Grazing Terms and Calculations Forage available (lbs. forage DM/acre) Utilization rate (percent) Daily forage intake (percent of body weight) Length of grazing (days) Weight of animals (approximate) Number of animals

16 Example Forage Available = 2000 lb. DM/ac. Utilization rate = 50% of available forage Forage Required = 600 lb. steer x 3% x 50 hd. = 900 lbs. DM/day Forage Required / Forage Available x 50% = 900 lbs. DM / 1000 lbs. DM/ac. = 0.9 ac./day

17 Example Where do we place the temporary fence? Pasture is 20 acres and is 660 ft. wide 0.9 acres x 43,560 sq. ft./acre = 39,204 sq. ft. 39,204 sq. ft. / 660 ft. = 59.4 ft.

18 Pasture Design

19 Water Availability Cattle should not travel over 900 ft. Avoid alleyways (lanes) to water Permanent and portable water tanks Water should be as clean and cool as possible

20 New Use for Old Tires

21 Topography Areas where grazing pressure (stock density) should be different Uplands verses lowlands Slopes and drainage areas Riparian areas

22 Vegetation Cool season verses warm season forages Brushy areas Soil variations

23 Shade Livestock may need shade during summer Livestock stress occurs at temperatures above 86 degrees and humidity above 20% Manure distribution is higher near lounge areas Smaller producers may consider portable shade structures

24 Shape As near to square as possible Rectangle pastures should not be more than four times as long as they are wide

25 Number and Size The more the number, the smaller the size Grazing periods should not be more than 4 days with 8 to 12 pastures Rest periods need to be a minimum of 30 days Best results achieved when animals are moved daily 50 acres / 30 days rest = 1.7 acres/day

26 Grazing Strategies Extending grazing season Long rest periods (90 days) Lead/Follow grazing Different classes of animals Different species of animals Adjusting carrying capacity Buy or sell animals to match available forage

27 Summary There are so many advantages to implementing some sort of grazing system you can not afford to start The grazing system does not have to be complicated, start small and grow over time There is no set recipe to follow, do what works best for you