Thinking about trying rotational grazing? See all the things you’ll need to consider to make it a success.
Rotational grazing is a pasture management technique that involves rotating livestock from one portion of the pasture to another to allow grazed areas to rest, regrow, and recover. A UF/IFAS blog article shared all the considerations that come into play; it’s generally worth the effort as it’s a “great management tool for optimal vegetative re-growth of forages and nutrient distribution of animal waste.”
Getting Started With Rotational Grazing
The article suggests that you first “Map your pasture(s) and section into paddocks that will be best suited to regularly move your livestock.” The article shares that you will then need to consider:
- “Identify stocking rate: this will change dependent on forage availability, weather, season and type of livestock (one species vs multi-species grazing)
- Important to identify which species will be grazing the pasture as livestock have differing grazing preferences (grass vs forbs vs browse)
- Ability to herd and move livestock from one paddock to another
- Fencing: temporary, electric, or permanent fencing
- Access to water in each paddock
- Mowing can be used as needed to induce grasses into vegetative state”
Considerations
The article maintains that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to rotational grazing. You don’t want to overgraze, which will allow roots to take hold. Consider these areas:
- “Soil fertility
- Weed management (mechanical and/or chemical): rotational grazing can help decrease the competition between grasses and weeds if not overgrazed
- Each paddock should be rested for 21 to 20 days to allow for regrowth and to help decrease the parasite pressure – you should still maintain a deworming program.
- Time between rotations will vary depending on stocking rate, weather, season, fertilization, and soil fertility
- One species vs multispecies grazing”
Griffin Fertilizer is committed to helping both growers and ranchers make sound agronomic and economic decisions in order to maximize the health of their grove and pasture. As a full-service custom dry & liquid fertilizer blender and crop protection product distributor, we will continue our mission to further advance Florida agriculture. For questions -or concerns about your farm or pasture, contact us and one of our team will be in touch.