Pasture or grazing management is more than just moving livestock from one pasture to another. It begins with balancing livestock demand with forage supply and includes proper water, mineral and nutrient distribution, and much more.

Balance Livestock With Forage: the first and most important step in managing grazing lands is to balance livestock numbers with forage supply. To do this, you need an inventory of both livestock and forage. These inventories will help identify the times of year when forage may be in short supply and times when extra forage is available.

Forage: plan to supply the quality and quantity of forages that meet the nutritional needs of livestock throughout the year. There are numerous grazing systems designs from high management intensive grazing systems to those with minimal time and resource inputs. Keep your goals and resources in mind. A grazing system with multiple pastures and a diversity of forages offers the most flexibility.

Water Supply: the challenge is to keep an adequate supply of good water available all the time. There are several low cost options.

Fences: help control your livestock's grazing time in a particular pasture. There are many types of permanent and temporary fences.

Soil Fertility: management varies according to soil, climate, and type of forage. Native grasses in arid and semi-arid areas do not respond well to fertilizer. Most forage plants grown under irrigation or in higher rainfall areas do respond to fertilizer. Consult local experts for advice on fertilizing your pastures.

Weed Management: take good care of your grazing land and you probably won't have to worry about weeds, because healthy forage plants will usually crowd weeds out. On the other hand, many so-called weed are actually high quality forage plants. Learn to identify the plants growing out there so you can manage them to your benefit.

Grazing efficiency: portable fencing offers flexibility to maximize grazing efficiency in a rotation system. It allows more forage production on fewer acres.

Improve Production: dividing a pasture into small paddocks of land and rotating livestock often from paddock to paddock is an excellent way to improve production and protect the soil. A portable or well-placed water supply is essential. Balance livestock numbers with forage supply.

For More Information:
* United States Department of Agriculture
* University of Wisconsin - Extension
* University of Minnesota - Extension

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture