For results, focus on grazing management, not ‘systems’

   Focusing only on the system and forgetting the essential truths of grazing will break any grazing strategy. This certainty was captured by Dr. Tim Steffens, a rangeland professor at Texas A&M. Steffens presented his thoughts in 10 general points at the Society for Range Management meeting in February. These principles hold true worldwide.
    —Severe grazing impacts plants. If too severe, too continuous or too repetitive, a plant’s root system will suffer. Plants need time to recover from grazing.
    —Stocking rate determines grazing impact. Even if the grazing manager understands the concept of take half, leave half, the grazing animal does not. Animals will impact individual pastures and individual plants more or less than 50 percent. It is up to the manager to manage the grazing, not the animal.
    —Timing of grazing is important. The worst timing or impact to the plant is removing the growth point.
    —Recovery time after grazing is important. Length of recovery period depends on the timing and severity of the grazing. Simply stated, a plant that is grazed closer to the ground needs more recovery time than a plant that is lightly grazed.
    —Erratic periods of growth can cause plants to recover at variable rates. Recovery may be slower during periods of drought or extreme heat. Recovery will be faster during periods of good moisture and mild temperatures.
    —Grazing animals do not use landscapes evenly. A ‘landscape’ can be a large or small pasture. Animals will change their grazing habits based on weather factors such as heat, cold and wind. Plants, landscape, water and minerals will also impact how and when an animal grazes.

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