Grazing Distribution

SGCHS AG Dept.Natural Resource Management

Mr. Hochreiter

What is Grazing Distribution? Pattern created by livestock grazing an area of

rangeland or pasture animals tend to graze in spotty patterns

forage availability is reduced grazing selectivity is lost reduced animal performance

What causes uneven grazing patterns? Pasture shape “L” Terrain Water Location Vegetation

palatability stage of growth water content of plants soil fertility level

Grazing lands Why do you think terrain affects grazing lands? How does water location affect grazing patterns?

Describe one analogy that would compare to gaazing patterns and water location.

Managing for Grazing Distribution Salt & Mineral Feeder Location

placed away from water may need to move when trampling begins

Oilers, Rubbing Posts, or Dust Bags attract livestock

Winter Feeding Location (move around)

Location, location, location Why do you want to ensure salt and mineral

blocks are not placed around water sources?

Managing for Grazing Distribution Riparian Areas (streams, lakes etc)

provide alternate water and salt away from riparian area

may need to fence off area Prescribed Burning -livestock prefer regrowth

after burning

Riparian areas Why do you think we need to ensure we provide

alternative water locations to livestock in the pasture when there is a stream, pond or river in the pasture?

Water Developments Quantity & Quality are most important Cattle consume up to 15 gal per day per 1,000 lbs

animal Stock Ponds - can have poor water quality

silting animals walking in

Pit Ponds (Dugouts) Wells - should have 2-3 day storage

Windmillshigh initial cost unreliable as a continual source of power

Electric Pump• can pump water to

several locations, long distances.

• requires electrical source

• requires constant monitoring (power outages)

Solar-Powered Pumps

can move solar panel & pump to different locationsrequires constant monitoring

Sling PumpUsed in flowing creeks or streams where electricity is not available.

Harnesses energy from the moving water to pump water to higher elevation.

Can pump water to elevations of 50 feet.

Flows 1-2 gallons per minute

Water Developments Pipelines and Troughs

can be placed at the best locations multiple waterings initial cost & maintenance can be costly

Spring Developments provides clean water away from wet areas with continuous flow, water seldom freezes

Stock Tanks should provide 2-3 days reserve concrete pad

Stock Tank

Cross Fencing Dividing large pastures into smaller ones Conventional materials (barbed wire) High Tensile Steel - more maintenance High Energy - Low Impedance

cheaper than barbed

Cross Fencing Why would a rancher consider cross fencing his

pasture? What elements must ranchers consider when

deciding to cross fence? What benefits would cross fencing provide a

rancher?

Cross fencing

Check on learning How can ranchers influence grazing patterns?

Season-Long Grazing One pasture for the entire season Difficult to maintain adequate grazing distribution

What are some problems you could foresee if we allow season long grazing on the same pasture?

Management-Intensive Grazing Systems

Ways we can pasture livestock

Sequential Forage Grazing Using 2 or more forages in combination best utilization of forage must have different growing seasons

Forage may consist of smooth brome grass or alfalfa in cooler weather and big bluestem or switchgrass in warmer seasons.

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/ansci/beefreports/asl1749.pdf

Partial-season Grazing Only allowed to graze for part of the growing

season One benefit of partial seasons grazing is to allow

livestock to help control growth of cool season grasses and thus improving pasture management.

Deferred Grazing Rest pasture during season of growth, grazed or

hayed during dormant time poor quality forage cheaper than haying

Why do you think deferred grazing is cheaper than cutting hay?

Rotation Grazing Move livestock from pasture to pasture Only graze each pasture once per season

Most common method of livestock grazing in West Tennessee.

Rotation Grazing

Rapid Rotation Fewer than 6 pastures short grazing periods, long rest periods

Cell Grazing Intensified rapid rotation more than 6 pastures

Which grazing system is for YOU? Things to consider:

water fencing animal nutrition time

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