1. Grazing Distribution

2. 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

3. What causes uneven grazing patterns?
Pasture shape “L”
Terrain
Water Location
Vegetation
palatability
stage of growth
water content of plants
soil fertility level

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. Water Developments Windmills Electric Pumps Solar-Powered Pumps
high initial cost
unreliable as a continual source of power
Electric Pumps
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 locations
requires constant monitoring

8. Water Developments Pipelines and Troughs Spring Developments
can be placed at the best locations
multiple waterings
initial cost & maintenance
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

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

10. Grazing Strategies
Influence grazing patterns

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

12. Management-Intensive Grazing Systems

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

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

15. Deferred Grazing
Rest pasture during season of growth, grazed or hayed during dormant time
poor quality forage
cheaper than haying

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

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

18. Cell Grazing
Intensified rapid rotation
more than 6 pastures

19. Which grazing system if for YOU?
Things to consider:
water
fencing
animal nutrition
time