Rotational grazing is a technique that involves dividing a piece of land into sections and moving cattle from one section to another to prevent overgrazing and improve pasture and cattle health.
Rotational grazing is a livestock management practice that involves moving cattle from one pasture to another in a regular pattern, with the goal of improving pasture and livestock health, as well as increasing meat or milk production.
Rotational grazing can be done with any type of livestock, from cows and sheep to goats and buffalo.
How to implement a successful rotational grazing system
José Cobos Saldarriaga, a veterinarian from the University of La Salle, highlighted the following points in one of his conferences. (Ver: Learn a little more about rotational grazing)
1- Evaluate the pastures before starting rotational grazing to determine the health of your pastures. The rancher must know the pH of his soils, the level of nutrients and structure; the quality of the grass to determine if it has weeds or if there are areas with too much grass or too little grass.
The evaluation will allow you to determine how much cattle each piece of land can supportas well as the time that this property needs to recover before being grazed again. (Ver: Paddock rotation, a tool to increase production)
2- Design the grazing system rotational. This design will depend on the size of your land and the number of animals it has. A good grazing system should include a sufficient number of pastures, a central water point, and an access road for cattle. The system must also take into account slopes and the location of trees and shrubs, since these can influence the quality of the grass.
3- Divide the pastures into sections and establish a rotational grazing plan. The plan should specify how long the animals will remain in each section and how much rest time they will have before returning to graze that section. The rest time will depend on the quality of the grass and the number of cattle you have.
4- Move the cattle according to the plan: The move must be made at a preset date and time, so that cattle get used to a regular movement pattern and do not be frightened by the novelty of the situation. Moving cattle in an orderly and peaceful manner is key to ensuring the safety of the animals.
5- Monitor the health of pasture and livestock: Throughout the rotational grazing process, the health of the pasture and livestock must be monitored. The grass should be tested to make sure it is growing healthily, and that the animals are eating enough grass. You should also be aware of any illness that may affect your animals and take preventative and treatment measures if necessary.
6- Make adjustments to the system: As a rotational grazing system is implemented you may encounter challenges and problems that need to be resolved. For example, you may find that you need more pasture or that cattle need more rest time between sections. Make adjustments and changes as necessary to ensure the rotational grazing system is successful.
7- Use proper grazing techniques: In addition to rotational grazing system design, it is important to use grazing techniques to ensure that animals are eating enough grass and avoiding overgrazing.
A common grazing technique is “High-Intensity Short Duration grazing” which involves animals grazing a section for a short period of time, usually a day or less, before being moved to another section.
Another technique is “Low-Intensity Long Duration grazing”, in which animals graze a section for a longer period of time, usually several weeks or even months. Both techniques have their advantages and disadvantages. and it is important to choose the right technique for your terrain and type of livestock.
8- Improve the quality of the grass: It is important to work on improving the quality of the pasture. One way to do this is by planting high-quality, hardy grasses that can improve forage production and Reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides. (See: Rotational grazing, key to optimizing livestock activity)
You can also use techniques such as fertilization and irrigation to improve the quality of the grass. Crop rotation, in which pastures alternate with cereal or legume crops, it can also be an effective technique to improve turf health and reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides.
The expert concludes by pointing out that rotational grazing is an effective practice to improve pasture and livestock health, increase production and reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides. With time and practice, Rotational grazing can be a valuable tool to improve your meat or milk production and maintain the health of your land.
