This article was written by Jack Kyle, Grazing Specialist, OMAF and MRA for CropTalk
The success of any grazing program or system is very much dependent on how the pasture is managed throughout the year. Giving the grasses and legumes in the pasture the opportunity to grow and accumulate energy for your livestock to consume is the key. The best way to do this is to have some control over where the livestock is grazing. This is accomplished by fencing and rotating between pastures/paddocks throughout the grazing season.
Don’t Start Too Early
Starting too early in the spring will set the growth back for the whole season. Wait until the grass plants have developed 2 full leaves and the 3rd leaf is visible. This will be at 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) on blue grass and 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) on orchard grass, bromegrass etc. If you are grazing alfalfa based pastures, wait until the alfalfa is showing some buds, and be prepared to manage bloat risk.
Graze “Fast” On First Pass
The second step is to graze “fast” once you start in the spring. May growth is very explosive and can get ahead of the livestock. To avoid this, rotate quickly from one pasture to the next. Don’t be concerned about how much grass is being left behind. This grass will continue to photosynthesize and produce more grass that will be available for subsequent grazings later in the season. By “topping” the grass on the first pass you will delay its maturity and maintain lush quality forage in the pasture.
Maintain Short Grazing Periods
Step three is to keep the grazing period in any paddock to less than 5-6 days (ideally1 day). Grasses start to re-grow a few days after being grazed. This new growth is very palatable and will be readily eaten as soon as it emerges. This “re-grazing” will significantly slow any subsequent re-growth. The longer animals are on a pasture, the more the plants will have been fouled by manure, urine, walked on or laid on. These plants will not be readily consumed, which reduces the amount of available forage.
Adequate Rest and Recovery
Step four is to allow adequate rest and recovery time for your pastures once they are grazed. By maintaining a 10-15 cm (4-6 inch) residual in the pasture, plants will be able to maintain active growth and be ready for the next grazing much sooner. In southern Ontario, managed pastures are providing 5-6 grazings and suffer less impact from poor growing conditions during July and August.
Temporary or semi-permanent electric fence is easy to erect and will allow you to have control of your grazing livestock to maximize productivity. By following these basic steps, a producer will realize a significant increase in pasture productivity.
