Grassland Management

Grazing management involves more than just moving livestock from one pasture to another. A manager needs an understanding of how plants grow, soil quality, fencing, water development, harvesting, resting, and much more, to maintain grassland health.

Grassland managers need to know what plants are on their grazing lands, and how healthy they are. To do that, they must do an inventory of their resources, including plants, water sources, fences, soils, wildlife, livestock, set goals, and evaluate their finances and labor needs. With this information, they can select a grazing system that will help them achieve his goals.

Managers need to be informed about laws regulating use of their lands, including Animal Feeding Operations/Confined Animal Feeding Operation (AFO/CAFO) regulations, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and cultural resources. They need to consider the impacts of any choices on other lands and people, and explore related issues.

Incorporating grazing land management into the farming system is one of the most important ways a row crop farmer can reduce erosion and water pollution and diversify sources of income. For example, natural drainage areas on farms and riparian areas adjacent to streams can be planted to soil-conserving plants. These plants capture runoff and sediment from the fields and protect water quality. Some of the plant material can be eaten by grazing animals. However, enough plant material must be left in grassed waterways or stream buffer zones for soil and water conservation.

Installing buffers along streams can help improve water quality for livestock, your family, and others downstream. Livestock are attracted to areas along streams because the banks and vegetation provide water, shade and forage during dry periods. Uncontrolled access to water can cause water pollution, streambank erosion, and can reduce the quality of the vegetation in these areas.

A healthy riparian area helps prevent streambank erosion and water quality problems. Setting aside special areas along the stream as a buffer will improve and enhance any grazing system. Livestock management for riparian areas allows trees and low growing vegetation to flourish.

Benefits of buffers include:

• Fences located away from streams are less likely to be damaged in the event of flooding.
• Weight gains are maintained when livestock are grazing the uplands instead of congregating in or along a stream.
• Manure is deposited on the land where nutrients can be used instead of in streams where it becomes a source of pollution.
• Health hazards are reduced for livestock, saving money on veterinarian bills.
• Improved food and cover is available for wildlife.