GRAZING MANAGEMENT 101 BASIC CONCEPTS Lamar Smith Cascabel

GRAZING MANAGEMENT 101 BASIC CONCEPTS Lamar Smith Cascabel Ranch & Consulting Carta Valley, Texas

BASIC TOOLS OF GRAZING MANAGEMENT ØGrazing intensity stocking rate ØFrequency of grazing length of grazing and rest periods ØSeason of grazing plant growth, animal diets, multiple uses ØAnimal distribution grazing efficiency, multiple uses ØKind of animal diet, poisonous plants, topography, water

Proper kind of livestock .

Animal Unit = 1000 pound cow with calf or equivalent based on forage intake. Cow = 1 AU Bull = 1. 5 AU Sheep =. 2 AU ANIMAL UNIT

Stocking rate is the number of animals actually pastured on a given area for a given amount of time. Proper stocking rate is the stocking rate that will approximate the carrying capacity over a period of years. Proper stocking can vary from one year to the next. STOCKING RATE VS CARRYING CAPACITY

STOCKING DENSITY Number of animals present per unit of area of a given pasture at a given point in time.

Graze 12 Months Rest 0 Months Example Stock Density 1

Graze 6 Months Rest 6 Months Example Stock Density 2

Graze 3 Months Rest 9 Months Example Stock Density 4

Graze 1. 5 Months Rest 10. 5 Months Example Stock Density 8

STOCKING RATE VS ANIMAL PRODUCTION Animal Production Gain per Head Light Mod Stocking Rate Heavy

STOCKING RATE VS ANIMAL PRODUCTION Animal Production Gain per Head Gain per Acre Light Mod Stocking Rate Heavy

STOCKING RATE VS ANIMAL Most profitable stocking rate PRODUCTION Variable Costs Animal Production Gain per Head Gross Income Fixed Costs Light Mod Stocking Rate Heavy

Proper stocking rate? Range Health standpoint

Proper stocking based on maintaining sufficient plant residue for: ◦ Plant health/regrowth ◦ Wildlife forage ◦ Erosion prevention Set stocking rate below carrying capacity ◦ To allow for drought ◦ To allow for low productivity years BASIS FOR STOCKING RATES

Overstocking and overgrazing are not the same thing.

Grazing resistant species (blue grama) is key species, make up most of forage base. Animal performance declines before overgrazing occurs.

Key species make up small part of forage base, lack high grazing resistance. (black grama, bush muhly) Range will be overgrazed before animal production suffers.

Continuous vs rotation Grazing season vs growing season Deferment vs rest Rest rotation, deferred rotation High intensity, low frequency Best pasture TERMS USED IN GRAZING SYSTEMS

Rest is defined as no grazing for a full year or more.

One of the disadvantages of intensive grazing management.

Flexibility Annual planning Keep number of herds to minimum Move ALL the cows IMPORTANT POINTS

Rest heavy use areas, most favored plants Improve distribution Better livestock husbandry Accommodates wildlife and other uses POSITIVE EFFECTS

Rotation grazing can improve livestock distribution.

Grazing systems may improve animal husbandry

One advantage of smaller pastures is that it is easier to find and gather cattle. .

Reduced animal performance Higher labor costs Higher improvement NEGATIVE EFFECTS

Grazing systems may reduce animal performance.

Grazing systems can increase labor costs.

Yep. This ranch is so well improved I have to sell it to pay for the improvements.

Grazing systems increase need for improvements and maintenance.

Riparian Grazing - What is Different?

Temperature is limiting factor to plant growth - not moisture. Regrowth is predictable and rapid.

Fence off riparian area from uplands Time grazing to allow regrowth before flood season RIPARIAN PASTURES

Riparian area within larger pasture - not practical to fence out. 1. Graze in dormant season or early in growing season. 2. Short grazing periods. 3. Offstream water, supplements. 4. Riding and culling.