Management Intensive Grazing

By: Adam Abel

Approximately 45% of the non-federal rural land in the United States is comprised of grazing land. Proper management of this land will lead to improved economic, social, and environmental conditions throughout our country.  Managed grazing, rotational grazing, or intensive grazing are all the same system.  Management intensive grazing differs from conventional grazing on the basis that live stock are moved frequently.  This movement of animals based on forage quality and quantity help maximize animals per acre and days on grass.  The key to this system is rest recovery.  By managing the grass you are able to see the benefits in your milk tank or on the rate of gain your animals produce.  Each system on each farm varies a little but the key to a successful Management Intensive Grazing System lies in grass management. What stems from the proper management is a list of benefits that one fails to realize at first:

Economic Benefits

• Lowering of harvest costs by substituting livestock grazing for machine harvesting
• Lowering of overall feed costs by increasing feed quality and quantity per acre of pasture
• Lowering investment costs for infrastructure
• Improving herd health, thus lowering animal cull rate and health treatment costs
• Reducing labor costs
• Reducing need for expensive year-round manure storage

Social Benefits

• Flexibility to change within farming system
• Increased time for personal interests
• Enjoyable work
• Sustainable land use and support of rural communities
• Grass fed animals produce healthy food

Environmental Benefits

• Clean water and air for people, wildlife, and fish
• Wildlife habitat for many diverse species
• Scenic beauty and open space
• Reduced dependence on fossil fuels

Managed grazing is one of the best conservation tools for livestock producers.  Well managed grazing leads to a more relaxed lifestyle and a safer place to live and raise a family.  It is also an environmentally sound way to farm reducing soil erosion and manure runoff, resulting in a better environment.

Reference:             Mary Anderson

                                P.O. Box 645

                               Whitehall, WI 54773