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Profitable Pastures

A guide to grass, grazing, and good management

Use A Systems Approachpasture

Grazing systems range from continuous use of one pasture over a long period of time, to intense grazing of small areas for short periods of time. There are trade-offs for every system, and you’ll have to decide which system works best for your operation. You may want to combine concepts and develop a system that works into your time schedule, livestock operation and available pasture.

Continuous grazing is a one pasture system where livestock are left to graze in a large area for the entire season.

Advantages:

  • Requires least labor and time.
  • Capital costs are minimal.
  • Animals can eat the best plants if not overstocked.

Disadvantages:

  • Lower stocking rate and less pounds produced per acre.
  • Lower forage quality and yields.
  • Uneven pasture use.
  • Weeds and brush may be a problem.
  • Both overgrazing and under grazing can occur in the same pasture more easily because of a lack of options to move livestock.
  • Animal manure is distributed unevenly.

Rotational grazing is a system with more than one pasture in which livestock are moved, usually on a calendar schedule.

Advantages:

  • Can increase forage production and condition of pasture over a continuous system.
  • Allows pastures to rest and allows for regrowth.
  • Can provide for longer grazing season, reducing winter feed.
  • More even distribution of manure throughout the paddocks.

Disadvantages:

  • Fencing costs and water supply establishment can be higher than in continuous systems.
  • Although forage production is increased over continuous grazing, it is not as high as intensive grazing systems.

Advantages:

  • Highest forage production and use per acre.
  • Weeds and brush are usually controlled naturally.
  • More even distribution of manure throughout the paddocks.
  • Usually increases stocking rates and livestock seem more content.
  • Gives more forage options. Pastures can be rested and grazed more efficiently.

Disadvantages:

  • Requires careful monitoring of forage.
  • Initial costs may be higher due to fencing materials and water.
  • Water distribution systems may be more complicated due to the increased number of paddocks.


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