Grazing Management

If successful manufacturing enterprises are based on the economic conversion of raw materials into a salable product.  The "cost" of the raw material has a direct effect on the profitability of the business.  Management is one of the key factors determining the "cost" of the production and utilization of any raw material.  In the livestock business, green plants are the raw material and livestock products are the salable commodities.  Grazing management is the means by which the producer supervises the "costs" of producing and using the raw material.

Animals graze anytime forage is available.  Therefore, there is no such thing as "no" grazing management.  Grazing is either done by design when controlled by a knowledgeable manager or by default when animals are allowed to graze without regard for plant and animal requirements. 

Optimum grazing efficiency of perennial forage crops requires in-depth knowledge of how plants and animals interact.  The plant-animal interaction is complex and must be studied to achieve a complete understanding. Producers must appreciate and more importantly, recognize that certain grazing practices cause a dynamic change in the plant composition will affect the performance of the animals and ultimately alter the productivity and profitability of the entire enterprise.

The Grazing Land Conservation Initiative (GLCI) is a nationwide collaborative process of individuals and organizations working to maintain and improve the management, productivity, and health of the Nation’s privately owned grazing land. This process has formed coalitions that represent the grass root concerns that impact private grazing land. The coalitions actively seek sources to increase technical assistance and public awareness activities that maintain or enhance grazing land resources.

Colorado GLCI Technical Notes provide information about grazing. Click on the following links to get more information:

Colorado GLCI Technical Note 1- Restocking Strategies Following Drought

Colorado GLCI Technical Note 2- Prescribed Grazing

Colorado GLCI Technical Note 3- Monitoring Your Rangeland

Colorado GLCI Technical Note 4- Managing Small Pasture

Colorado GLCI Technical Note 5- Managing Weeds in Drought

Reseeding Grazing Land

Pasture Management

The eastern plains of Colorado is experiencing a long term drought.  The effects on the pasture for grazing can be severe if the grasses are overgrazed.   Getting and using a pasture management plan is essential in keeping the land productive. 

There are warm season and cool season grasses that produce at different times of the season.  Cool season grasses found on dry pastures include tall wheatgrass, Western wheatgrass, intermediate wheatgrass pubescent wheatgrass, and Smooth brome grass.  Cool season grass species have their maximum production during early spring and early fall. During the hot summer months, cool-season production is reduced.  The wheatgrass species become less palatable as the plants mature.  This may result in selective grazing by animals to more desirable species or the younger leaves of plants, resulting in overgrazing of the more palatable species.  Some dry pastures are composed of warm-season species.  Grass species such as big bluestem, little bluestem, Side-oats grama, Switch grass and Buffalo grass are examples of warm-season grass species.  Maximum production usually occurs during the summer months. Overgrazing easily damages warm-season grass species.  The key is to determine how much forage your pasture will produce during that six-month season. 

The timing of grazing has a long-term impact on your pasture.  Grazing too early in the spring can reduce the yield potential of your pasture and is the most common pasture management mistake.  Allow grass to grow before grazing.  This grass growth varies depending on the grass species.  Grasses have different height requirements prior to the initiation of grazing.  A grazing animal should not remove more than 50 percent of the available forage.  This approach is called "take half and leave half."  Planning and implementing a grazing program will ensure a pasture's health for the long term and save a lot of money and time later to reestablish a field that was over grazed.  Being a good steward of the land now will provide long term rewards in keeping the land healthy and producing new grass for the future.