Grazing Management 101 Basic Concepts Lamar Smith Cascabel Ranch & Consulting Carta Valley, Texas

Basic Tools of Grazing Management Grazing intensity stocking rate Frequency of grazing length of grazing and rest periods Season of grazing plant growth, animal diets, multiple uses Animal distribution grazing efficiency, multiple uses Kind of animal diet, poisonous plants, topography, water

Proper kind of livestock.

Animal Unit = 1000 pound cow with calf or equivalent based on forage intake. Cow = 1 AU Bull = 1.5 AU Sheep = .2 AU Animal Unit

Stocking Rate vs Carrying Capacity Stocking rate is the number of animals actually pastured on a given area for a given amount of time. Proper stocking rate is the stocking rate that will approximate the carrying capacity over a period of years. Proper stocking can vary from one year to the next. Stocking Rate vs Carrying Capacity

Stocking Density Number of animals present per unit of area of a given pasture at a given point in time.

Graze 12 Months Rest 0 Months Stock Density 1 Example

Graze 6 Months Rest Stock Density 2 Example

Graze 3 Months Rest 9 Months Stock Density 4 Example

Graze 1.5 Months Rest 10.5 Months Stock Density 8 Example

Stocking Rate vs Animal Production Gain per Head Animal Production Light Mod Heavy Stocking Rate

Stocking Rate VS Animal Production Gain per Head Gain per Acre Animal Production Light Mod Heavy Stocking Rate

Stocking Rate vs Animal Production Most profitable stocking rate Variable Costs Gain per Head Gross Income Animal Production Fixed Costs Light Mod Heavy Stocking Rate

Proper stocking rate? Range Health standpoint

Basis for Stocking Rates Proper stocking based on maintaining sufficient plant residue for: Plant health/regrowth Wildlife forage Erosion prevention Set stocking rate below carrying capacity To allow for drought To allow for low productivity years Basis for Stocking Rates

Overstocking and overgrazing are not the same thing.

Grazing resistant species (blue grama) is key species, make up most of forage base. Animal performance declines before overgrazing occurs.

Key species make up small part of forage base, lack high grazing resistance. (black grama, bush muhly) Range will be overgrazed before animal production suffers.

Terms Used in Grazing Systems Continuous vs rotation Grazing season vs growing season Deferment vs rest Rest rotation, deferred rotation High intensity, low frequency Best pasture Terms Used in Grazing Systems

Rest is defined as no grazing for a full year or more.

One of the disadvantages of intensive grazing management.

Important Points Flexibility Annual planning Keep number of herds to minimum Move ALL the cows Important Points

Positive Effects Rest heavy use areas, most favored plants Improve distribution Better livestock husbandry Accommodates wildlife and other uses Positive Effects

Rotation grazing can improve livestock distribution.

Grazing systems may improve animal husbandry

One advantage of smaller pastures is that it is easier to find and gather cattle..

Negative Effects Reduced animal performance Higher labor costs Higher improvement Negative Effects

Grazing systems may reduce animal performance.

Grazing systems can increase labor costs.

Yep. This ranch is so well improved I have to sell it to pay for the improvements.

Grazing systems increase need for improvements and maintenance.

Riparian Grazing - What is Different?

Temperature is limiting factor to plant growth - not moisture. Regrowth is predictable and rapid.

Riparian Pastures Fence off riparian area from uplands Time grazing to allow regrowth before flood season Riparian Pastures

Riparian area within larger pasture - not practical to fence out. 1. Graze in dormant season or early in growing season. 2. Short grazing periods. 3. Offstream water, supplements. 4. Riding and culling.