Keep cattle on the move for better pastures
Improving management of permanent pastures is crucial to profitability. So how do we make them more productive?
Time matters.
Plants need periods of rest for leaf tissue to recover. When you allow continuous grazing (allowing cattle to graze the same acres for an extended time without interruption), cattle eat down the most palatable plants, reducing the plant’s ability to recover and regrow.
“Plants need leaves to gather sunlight for energy to grow,” says Travis Meteer, Illinois Extension beef cattle specialist. “In an overgrazing scenario, leaves and roots are depleted and the plant takes much longer to regrow.”
The effects of overgrazing are also seen where cattle gather, around water sources and shaded areas, Meteer says.
“Grass grows grass, so be sure to leave some leaf tissue on the grazed plant to collect sunlight.”
Moving livestock helps.
“Continual grazing of large pastures results in about 30% of pasture utilization,” Meteer says. “With summer annuals, grazing should be stopped when one-third of the plant height remains or stopped before grazing under 8 inches, whichever is greater.”
So, how do you improve pasture management? Two grazing practices researched by University of Illinois have shown marked improvement in plant and root health, directly impacting plant and root systems, soil health, biodiversity.
Rotational Grazing
In a rotational grazing system, cattle are rotated between smaller paddocks more frequently. In an Illinois study, cattle on a 7-day rotation between six different paddocks resulted in a 55% pasture utilization (compared to 30% for the continuous grazing system).
Adaptive Grazing
Adaptive grazing involves moving cattle daily — sometimes many times a day — between pasture paddocks. Under this system, pasture utilization jumped to 75%.
“Managing the time the animals are in a certain area is the best way to improve forage utilization, while also allowing for appropriate recovery periods,” Meteer says.
“A planned, adaptive grazing plan is needed by all graziers to ensure a successful grazing season that results in economical production of healthy animals.”
Source: Travis Meteer, University of Illinois Extension Beef Cattle Specialist
Editor: Judy Bingman, Grazing and Forage Hub Coordinator
Reference: Pasture Management, Illinois Extension Beef Cattle Website
Need more information on adaptive grazing?
Contact Logan Karcher, ILGLC Director of Producer Programs, for personalized assistance.