Grazing is a crucial element producers need to take into consideration. Although it presents some unsureness at times, the key is adaptability. Read more for the latest information on grazing systems and the importance of being flexible.
A lot of confusion surrounds rotational grazing. Cattle grazing can be used to improve soil quality and forage production. However, there is a fine line between rotational grazing and overgrazing.
All producers have the same end goal – maximize forage quality and quantity. However, many producers are following exact protocol and suggestions and still not getting the results they are seeking. It is important to remember grassland is complex and no ranch is the same. There is no one size fits all for ranching guidelines. Rotational grazing is much the same way.
Plants utilize photosynthesis to make carbohydrates.
Plants need the carbohydrates for energy to grow more forage, roots and to eventually make seeds for reproduction. If an animal or machinery grazes that plant during this process the plant will exude carbohydrates through the root system.
These carbohydrates then feed microorganisms in the soil. Those microorganisms multiply and survival of the fittest takes place, the bigger ones eat the smaller ones. This creates plant available nutrients which the plant uses to begin the recovery phase.
However, the problem lies when animals begin to regraze before enough carbohydrates are built back up.
If there are not enough carbohydrates to feed the soil life, then the plant cannot acquire the natural fertility, provided by microorganisms in the soil, that it needs to grow. When we stimulate a plant by grazing it while in its recovery phase and before it has enough sugar to feed the soil (through its root exudates), it is “overgrazed.”
The result of continual overgrazing is a simplified plant community rather than a hardy, biodiverse community.
Holistic Planned Grazing v. Rotational Grazing
Although we discussed many of the basic components of rotational grazing, it is important we define it as well. Jim Morgan defines rotational grazing as,
“Rotational grazing is the practice of moving grazing livestock between pastures (often called paddocks) as needed or on a regular basis. There are many approaches and types of grazing that fall under the broad umbrella of rotational grazing.The simplest is moving livestock between paddocks every set number of days.”
The biggest controversy surrounding this definition, as well as the overall concept of rotational grazing, is the set number of days portion.
The number of recovery days depends and pasture response is not consistent throughout the growing season. Variation occurs because of temperature, water, community dynamics and more. Growth rates also vary between plants and weather circumstances. At the end of summer, plant regrowth is especially slow so it is important to pay attention to this when planning rotations.
The only way to effectively graze a complex farm environment is to plan ahead for extended recovery times and monitor grass recovery closely throughout the growing season.
Holistic Planned Grazing differs from rotational grazing because it is not a formula but a planning procedure. Holistic managers specifically calculate recovery periods for their pastures. This allows producers to take specific variables into account. Once variables are isolated and considered, producers can plan livestock moves.
The initial grazing plan is referenced and combined with daily observations to make grazing decisions.
Adaptability = Flexibility
Many terms about grazing are thrown around and it’s very easy to get caught up in the jargon.
One rancher recently mused: “There’s a new term, adaptive grazing, and I wasn’t sure what it meant. Then I realized that over the years I’ve actually been doing this. Grazing management has to be flexible.”
He continued to talk about the strategies he uses each year and his decision making process.
A successful pasture manager is always juggling, planning, adapting his/her grazing strategies to fit the terrain, forage, weather, livestock needs, and many other factors.
Furthermore, many producers are beginning to look at the big picture. They understand cattle and grass production go hand in hand. They are even going as far as understanding how cattle can improve land and pasture quality.
The culmination of grazing knowledge and procedures over the years is now being coined adaptive, multi-paddock grazing. Essentially, the method focuses on high-stock-density grazing. The herd is confined to a small area for a short period of time and then moves on.
They usually aim for a consumption of the available forage between 40% and 70%, hope to trample much of the leavings down close to or onto the soil surface, and then often though not always defer future grazing until the plants are fully recovered, sometimes with the most-valued plants actually into the reproductive phase.
This eliminates overgrazed grass and allows soil to soak up several inches of rainfall. When continuous grazed pastures become brown and dry, these pastures will still be green and growing.
With any form of grazing, the key is adaptability. Plants are not predictable and do not follow strict schedules. It is important to understand plant growth when making grazing decisions. Overall, the slower the growth, the slower the movement of the herd. However, this can differ depending on management practices.
Image courtesy of Noble Research Institute