Managing the harvest of vegetation with grazing and/or browsing animals.
This is often attained through a rotational or mob grazing system where pastures are divided into four or more pastures or paddocks with fencing. Cattle are moved from paddock to paddock on a prearranged schedule based on forage availability and livestock nutrition needs.
How it helps
Improves or maintains:
species composition and vigor of plant communities;
quantity and quality of forage for grazing and browsing animal health and productivity;
surface and subsurface water quality and quantity;
riparian and watershed functions;
quantity and quality of food and cover available for wildlife.
Prescribed grazing also helps to reduce erosion and improve profits.
Planning ahead
Have you developed a grazing plan that includes your goals and objectives?
Tech Notes
Take a resource inventory that identifies:
existing plant health and quantity;
opportunities to enhance plant conditions;
paddocks, acres, and the location of structural improvements such as fences, water developments, etc. using a plan map; and
ecological sites or forage suitability groups when available.
Take a forage inventory of the expected forage quality, quantity and species in each management unit.
Take a forage-animal balance (carrying capacity) for the grazing plan that identifies forage surpluses and deficiencies for the kind and class of grazing livestock, and browsing wildlife of concern.
Develop a contingency plan that adjusts the grazing prescription in case of flood, drought, insects, etc.
Maintenance
Monitor data and grazing records regularly to ensure objectives are met, or to make necessary changes.
What it is