Grazing Management and Soil Health Keys to Better Soil, Plant, Animal, and Financial Health

Natural Resources Conservation Service February 2016 Why is Soil Health so The Basics Important? Changes in soil quality that occur as a result of management affect: the amount of water from rainfall and snow- melt that is available for Rangeland is land on which the native vegetation is How Are Soil Health plant growth; predominantly grasses, grasslike plants, forbs, or shrubs. And Rangeland Health runoff, water infiltra- Related? tion, and the potential This land includes natural grasslands, savannas, shrub Rangeland health and soil for erosion; quality are interdepen- lands, most deserts, tundras, areas of alpine communities, the availability of nutri- dent. Rangeland health is ents for plant growth; coastal marshes, and wet meadows. characterized by the func- tioning of both the soil and the conditions needed WHAT IS RANGELAND WHAT IS SOIL the plant communities. for germination, seedling HEALTH? HEALTH? establishment, vegetative Rangeland health is the Soil quality is the capacity The capacity of the soil to reproduction, and root degree to which the integ- of a specific kind of soil to function affects ecologi- growth; and cal processes, including rity of the soil, the vegeta- function within natural the ability of the soil to the capture, storage, and tion, the water, and the air or managed ecosystem act as a filter and protect redistribution of water; the as well as the ecological boundaries, sustain plant water and air quality. processes of the rangeland and animal productivity, growth of plants; and the ecosystem are balanced maintain or enhance the cycling of plant nutrients. How Are Soil Health and sustained. quality of water and air, For example, increased Indicators Integrated and support human health physical crusting decreases into Rangeland Soil is a dynamic resource and habitation. Changes in the infiltration capacity Assessments and that supports plants. It the capacity of soil to func- of the soil and thus the Monitoring? tion are reflected in soil amount of water available Ecological processes on consists of mineral par- properties that change in to plants. As the availabili- rangeland are evaluated ticles of different sizes response to management ty of water decreases, plant with soil and vegetation or climate. production declines, some indicators. Evaluations (sand, silt, and clay), organ- plant species may disap- made through assessment ic matter, and numerous What Does Soil Health pear, and the less desirable and monitoring provide species of living organisms. Affect on Rangeland? species may increase in information about the Plant production, repro- abundance. Changes in functional status of soil Soil has biological, chemi- duction, and mortality vegetation may precede and rangeland. Soil quality cal, and physical properties, Erosion or follow changes in soil indicators are properties properties and processes. that change in response some of which change in Water yields and water Significant shifts in vegeta- to management, climate, quality response to how the soil is tion generally are associ- or both and reflect the managed. Wildlife habitat ated with changes in soil current functional sta- Carbon sequestration properties and processes tus. Functions include and/or the redistribution Vegetation changes maintaining soil and site of soil resources across the stability; distributing, Establishment and landscape. In some cases, storing, and supplying growth of invasive such as accelerated erosion water and plant nutrients; plants resulting in a change in the and maintaining a healthy Rangeland health soil profile, this shift may plant community. be irreversible, while in others, recovery is possible.

Grazing Management and Soil Health page 2 How Are Soil Health Indicators Used on Rangeland? Assessment. Soil quality given ecological site, the How Do I Get More indicators are used to in- properties that change in Information? crease the value and accu- response to management or For additional information, racy of rangeland assess- climate are used as indica- refer to rangeland ments and trend analysis. tors of change. information sheet 2, Assessments help to iden- “Indicators for Assessment Monitoring. Tracking tify areas where problems and Monitoring.” For trends in the functional occur and areas of special soil quality information status of the soil and the interest. Land managers related to rangeland plant community helps to can use this information health indicators, refer to determine the success of and other inventory and the rangeland soil quality the management practices information sheets listed monitoring data to make or the need for additional in the adjacent table. management decisions, management changes or Download the sheets from: which, in turn, affect soil adjustments. Regular mea- http://soils.usda.gov/sqi. quality. When assessments surement of soil quality or comparisons are made, indictors at the same lo- the rangeland ecological cation can detect changes site description is used Better Forage, Better over seasons or years and as the standard. For the provide early warning of soils associated with a Profit future vegetation changes. Managing for better forage Rangeland health, soil and an increased profit quality and the land Related Rangeland Soil Rangeland Health begins with establishing manager’s bottom line Quality Information Indicators Sheet and implementing a range- are interdependent. Soil land management plan. A quality is the capacity of Rills Water Erosion rangeland management soil to function within nat- Waterflow Patterns Infiltration, Water Erosion plan allows land managers ural or managed ecosystem Pedestals and/or Water Erosion, Wind to evaluate, monitor and boundaries. Soil quality Terracettes Erosion improve their land. affects ecological process- Bare Ground Water Erosion, Wind es, including the capture, On grazing land, forage Erosion storage and the redistribu- is the crop and animals Gullies Water Erosion tion of water, the growth are the harvesting and Wind-Scoured Areas Wind Erosion of plants and the cycling of marketing mechanisms. Litter Movement Water Erosion, Wind plant nutrients. In addi- Improving forage requires Erosion tion, better soil quality can land managers to assess Soil Surface Resistance to Physical and Biological Soil improve drought and weed their ranch holistically— Erosion Crusts, Aggregate Stability resistance. Soil Surface loss or Water Erosion, Wind assessing plant and animal Degradation Erosion productivity, soil health, Plant Community Infiltration, Water Erosion water and air quality. Composition and Distribution Relative to To improve rangeland health, land managers must manage Infiltration and Runoff for soil quality. As the soil improves, forage production Compaction Layer Compaction will increase, leading to a better profit. Functional/Structural Soil Biota Groups Plant Mortality/Decadence Soil Biota Litter Amount Organic Matter Annual Production Invasive Plants Reproductive Capability or Perennial Plants

Grazing Management and Soil Health page 3 Four Natural Laws of Grazing Management Keep down the leaf volume removed has a With continued overuse are washed or blown away 1 shoot, kill the root. direct effect on the growth of native decreaser plants, while rocks and gravel ac- Roots anchor the plants to of new roots. When increaser and invader cumulate at the surface. Soil the soil, take up water and excessive amounts of the plants can take over the organic matter is extremely nutrients, and, if healthy, top growth are removed, rangeland over time. When low and the soil surface enable plants to survive roots are not replaced and this happens, droughts temperature is extremely stress from drought, cold, the grass eventually dies. are much more severe and high. These high tempera- heat, and grazing. A basic If the leaf area is left at an grass production declines. tures create an environment problem facing livestock optimum length, the roots Practices that keep soil that is hot and dry and not producers is not knowing will support more plant covered physically protect conducive to productive how close to safely graze growth. it from erosive forces that grass and “decreaser” plant disrupt aggregation, while establishment. or mow plants and still Managing plants and also building organic obtain maximum produc- root systems is key to On the other hand, weeds matter. Any practice that tivity over an extended more and better forage. with seed that can germi- increases soil organic period. To manage for plants and nate quickly can increase matter and biological root systems, landown- dramatically on soil-deplet- A clipping study (Crider activity improves aggre- ers should implement a ed land. The land becomes 1954) concluded that top gate stability. However, it prescribed grazing plan. less fertile and better growth of a grass plant is can take several growing The prescribed grazing adapted to weeds than to directly proportional to seasons or years for signif- plan should define the “decreaser” grasses—in- the root growth. About icant organic matter gains. proper degree of grazing creasing drought severity every year, one-third of In contrast, management use for key forage species. and frequency the roots die and must be activities that disturb soil It should also establish replaced. The amount of and leave it bare can result a grazing schedule. The If given a chance, in a rapid decline in soil schedule alternates two or 4 nature would like organic matter, biological more grazing units—de- to bring back activity, and aggregate ferring or resting range- best-adapted stability. land in a planned sequence plants. Nature will bring back the over a period of years. Bare soils de- original, best adapted veg- 3 crease moisture etation if two key elements Nature does not availability. 2 like bare spots. exist: When rangeland is dom- Bare ground is soil that is inated by “increaser” and The line of no return has Percent Percent not protected by plants “invader” plants and more not been crossed. Leaf Root (including lichens and bare soil exists, runoff Volume Growth moss), litter, standing Landowners work with increases dramatically, less Removed Stopped dead vegetation, gravel or nature to give her a water goes into the soil, 10% 0% rocks. Areas with high chance to do her job. wind erosion increases, percentages of bare soil Following a good grazing 20% 0% and water erosion increas- are at greater risk of runoff plan will increase prof- 30% 0% es due to the runoff from and erosion. Bare soil lacks itability and the drought 40% 0% exposed soils. These issues protection from impacts and weed resistance of 50% 2 to 4% result in a less productive of raindrops, detachment the ranch. A good graz- range that is less resistant 60% 50% by wind, and temperature ing plan considers two to drought and weeds. 70% 78% increases from exposure to essential components: 80% 100% the sun. During wind and water nutritional needs of the livestock and the health 90% 100% erosion, fine soil particles of the forage.

Grazing Management and Soil Health page 4 Applying Grazing Management Systems Making Rangeland More Drought and Weed Resistant Ranchers want to ensure that their land is healthy enough to resist droughts and weed infestations and to produce high quality forage. To accomplish this, ranchers need to ensure that their rangeland is able to take in as much moisture as possible. Conservation plans for the grazing and brows- For example, increased There are FOUR physical crusting grazing lands include ing animals in managing basic keys to grazing decreases the infiltration decisions for manipulating plant communities is basic management: capacity of the soil. the plant community to to achieving the desired This limits the amount manage the soil, water, air, results of an ecologically stocking rate, of water that gets to plant, and animal resourc- sound grazing lands con- the plants. As water es. These five resources are servation plan. livestock rotation, availability decreases, clearly related and respond A well designed system utilization rate, plant production also to each other in an interac- will provide for the health declines. During this tive mode. time, some plant species of the forages. It doesn’t do plant rest and may disappear and less On grazing lands, plants one at the expense of the recovery. desirable species (i.e. are directly affected by the other. It does both. If you weeds) may take over. soil, water, air, and animal design grazing systems Significant shifts in resources. Animals are properly, it will provide vegetation are generally resources and tools used the proper nutrition for associated with changes in soil properties and in managing the plant grazing animals so that processes and/or the resource that, in turn, they have a high reproduc- redistribution of soil affect soil, water, and air. tive performance at the resources across the Therefore, proper use of lowest cost. landscape. In some cases, this shift may be irreversible, while in others, recovery is possible.

Grazing Management and Soil Health page 5 favorable outcomes. Over- In general, increasing the Stocking Rate grazing can lead to signifi- stock density can yield Stocking rate is defined as An Animal Unit Month cant long-term degradation significant benefits by the number of animals on and an overall reduction improving how evenly a given area of land over a (AUM) is the amount of in pasture condition and pastures are grazed and certain period of time, gen- forage required for one potential yields. Effects reducing livestock graz- erally calculated in Animal 1,000-pound cow with calf from overgrazing can be ing selectivity. As stock Days per Acre (AD/Ac). An long-lasting and difficult density increases, animals Animal Day (AD) is the for one month. This is or impossible to rectify. begin utilizing forage more amount of forage required equivalent to 915 pounds Properly stocking grazing uniformly with a reduced for one, 1,000 lb. cow with animals is critical to the tendency to ignore some calf for one day (see Figure of air-dry forage. long-term viability of any plants and over utilize 1), equivalent to 30 lbs. of On any operation, it is crit- grazing operation. others. air-dry forage. Livestock ical that the stocking rate Determining stocking Properly stocking the areas forage needs of different match the available forage. rate is simply a matter of to be grazed is critical breeds, classes, and/or Failure to properly stock collecting information on to maintaining pasture sizes are all compared to an operation can lead to overall pasture production productivity and animal the equivalent of one cow/ over and/or under-grazing, and balancing the animal health. Pasture sizes and calf pair (see Table 1). neither of which provides numbers with available stock densities must incor- forage. Since this is spe- porate the size of the area cific to your grazing land, to be grazed, the amount Figure 1. Animal Unit Equivalent Comparisons you can request assistance of grass that is available, Example Herd: 50 1,400-lb. cows with calves (50 pairs) from your local Natural the number of animals you Resources Conservation plan to graze, and the du- 50 pairs × 1.4 AUE × 1 D = 70 ADs Service office to determine ration each area is grazed. stocking rate. If 50 pairs can be supported on 20 acres for 10 days, Care should be taken the stocking rate is Stock Density vs. when increasing livestock 70 ADs × 10 D = 700 ADs Stocking Rate density because animals 700 ADs ÷ 20 Ac = 35 AD/Ac that are bunched more Stock density refers to the tightly together need to be number of animals graz- monitored and moved more Table 1. Calculating AD and AD/Ac ing a specific unit of area frequently to reduce the at a single point in time. Animal Unit risk of removing too much Class of Animal Stock density is usually Equivalent plant material and reduc- expressed in pounds of ing animal performance. 1,000 lb. cow with calf 1.1 animals per acre. As the To increase livestock den- 1,200 lb. cow with calf 1.3 pounds per acre of live- sity, existing pastures can 1,400 lb. cow with calf 1.5 stock increases, stock den- be subdivided either with sity also increases. Many 1,000 lb. cow, dry .85 permanent or temporary grazing operations do not 700 lb. steer or heifer .70 fencing. adequately consider the Bull, mature (1,850 lbs.) 1.5 impacts of stock density Most livestock opera- Horse, mature (1,200 lbs.) 1.25 when planning and man- tions that have increased Sheep, mature .15 aging rotations. However, their stock density and Goat, mature .15 understanding the funda- decreased the time spent mentals of stock density grazing in each pasture or is critical, especially on paddock have seen signif- irrigated pasturelands. icant benefits in overall forage production.

Grazing Management and Soil Health page 6 Figure 2. Stock Density in Action (Stock Density = Animal Weight/Acre)

10-acre pasture; divided into 3.3-acre paddocks; 10 cows (1,000 lbs. each) 10-acre pasture; 10 cows (1,000 lbs. each) 3,030 lbs/acre Stock Density for 3-Day Rotation 1,000 lbs/acre Stock Density for 10-Day Rotation (Higher Stock Density) (Lower Stock Density) (10 x 1,000 lb cow)/3.3 acres = 3,030 lbs/ac 10 x 1,000 lb. cow)/10 acres = 1,000 lbs/ac

Rotation of Livestock Rotation includes managing productivity by simply ro- tating their livestock more when you graze, how long frequently and providing you graze, and how long previously grazed pastures you allow the area that is or paddocks more rest and grazed to rest and recover recovery. Commonly, on many graz- before the area is grazed ing operations, pasture again. productivity tends to decrease over time. Often, Livestock have a tendency of their energy into leaf overgrazing and is the pri- deteriorating pastures are to graze selectively, choos- growth, which can slow mary reason that pasture then renovated (reseeded) ing their most favored down or even halt root conditions deteriorate. An- or heavily fertilized. Pas- species first and grazing growth if too much leaf imals overgraze preferred ture renovation is costly them harder and more area is removed. During plants repeatedly, while and time consuming and, frequently while avoiding the time when plants are ignoring less desirable under most circumstanc- less desired species. This just starting to regrow, plant species. Over time, es, unnecessary if proper selective grazing is exacer- livestock will often heavily less favorable plant species, grazing management and bated when livestock have target the plants due to such as less productive livestock rotations are em- access to larger grazing their fresh, succulent grasses and weedy species, ployed. In fact, if pastures areas and are not rotated growth. Grazing this fresh are able to out-compete fa- are properly grazed, the frequently enough. regrowth is extremely vored species for water and pasture condition and pro- detrimental to plants and nutrients, causing changes During the growing ductivity should actually can cause roots to shrink in species composition and season, when a plant is increase over time, leading and can eventually lead to a reduction in the long- grazed it can begin active- to long-term financial plant death. term productivity and ly growing again almost gains. palatability of the pasture. immediately. As plants Grazing plants without Many livestock operations begin to regrow, they providing opportunity for could improve their forage place a significant amount recovery is by definition

Grazing Management and Soil Health page 7 Utilization Rate (Grazing Intensity) Utilization rate refers to is largely unaffected and What does 50 percent the larger the pasture and plant regrowth begins at a utilization look like? Gen- lower the stock density, grazing intensity and is a rapid pace. erally, during the growing the more variation there term often used to de- season, when plants are will be with regard to the Although it may seem like actively growing, plants grazing intensity within a scribe how heavily an area common sense to graze should never be grazed pasture (think spot graz- plants short in order to is grazed. shorter than 4 to 6 inches. ing where some areas are extract the most amount Obviously, it is unrealistic grazed heavily and others For example, if a plant of forage while grazing, to expect every plant be lightly). Large pastures is grazed as close to the this type of management grazed uniformly at a 50 with low stock densi- ground as possible, the ultimately reduces the percent level. In general, ty will have lots of spot utilization rate would be total amount of forage pro- 100 percent, whereas if the duced on the pasture and same plant was not grazed, can kill preferred forage Figure 3. Plant Root Response to Grazing - 30% its utilization rate would species, allowing them Percentage of Leaf Material Removed be 0 percent. to be replaced with less desirable plants. Keeping 50% Most grazing experts 60% tend to recommend the plants taller throughout old standby of “take half, the grazing season and ro- 80% leave half,” meaning when tating animals on a regular animals are allowed to frequency allows plants to graze, they should only be develop deeper roots, re- allowed to utilize half of cover from grazing faster, the total plant biomass in and ultimately produce far a pasture. Ideally, every more grass over the course plant would be grazed to of the season. reduce its total volume by Lighter levels of use allow no more than 50 percent. livestock to receive a diet Grazing too hard and tak- balanced for protein and ing more than 50 percent energy that is essential for (generally leaving plants livestock being finished shorter than 4 inches) on pasture. Don’t be fooled stops all above- and be- into extracting the most low-ground plant growth possible grass out of each for a period of time (Fig- grazing event. Instead, ure 5), thus slowing plant manage your pastures so that they produce the Amount of Leaf Amount of recovery and overall plant Removed Root Growth Stoppage production. If plants are most possible grass over 10-40% 0% grazed less than 50 per- the course of the growing cent and are left taller after season; you will end up far 50% 2-4% grazing, their root growth ahead in the long run. 60% 50% 70% 78% “Take half, leave half” is a valuable and proven metric; 80-90% 100% however, in truth, utilization rates should vary based upon If 80% of plant leaf material is removed, plant root growth can time of year, type of pasture, forage available, and overall cease for 12 full days, which slows plant regrowth considerably (Dietz, 1989). If only 10% to 40% of plant leaf material is re- management goals and expertise. moved, plant root growth doesn’t stop and the plant regrows faster and remains healthier.

Grazing Management and Soil Health page 8 grazing, whereas smaller in the soil profile. This also pastures with higher allows the plants to build stock density will be more more leaf area (think solar uniformly grazed with less panels) to capture more spot grazing. Increasing sunlight and increase their the uniformity of grazing rate of growth. patterns and reducing If early spring grazing is spot grazing will lead to unpreventable, supplemen- higher grazing efficiencies, tal hay may need to be fed improvements in pasture on the pasture to reduce and plant conditions, and the risks of overgrazing an increase in financial young plants. If a pasture returns. is grazed early in the SEASONAL GRAZING spring, make sure that the CHALLENGES following year that same Rest and Recovery pasture is not grazed until Spring grazing creates a After being grazed, irri- is typically after about 30 later in the season. Anoth- new set of challenges. In gated pastures should be to 60 days for an irrigated er strategy for managing the spring, plants are just allowed to rest for at least pasture populated with early spring grazing is to beginning their seasonal 30 to 60 days during the tall-statured plants (i.e. rotate animals quickly growth and are extremely growing season. Dryland orchard grass, tall fes- between pastures, utiliz- susceptible to overgrazing. pastures and rangeland cue, meadow brome, etc.) ing less than 50 percent Overgrazing plants in the will require longer rest during the growing season. so as to avoid overgrazing. spring can set back growth periods. The length of rest Finally, when grazing early The adage “what you see for the entire growing sea- depends on many factors in the season, always allow above-ground is reflective son. Many grazers make (season, weather, plant the pasture additional rest of what is below” is very the mistake of grazing species, utilization rate, (≥40 days) before grazing true—the amount of above plants too hard or too early stocking rate, livestock again. ground leaf material indi- in the spring and the result class), so it will be up to cates the health and size is often a significant re- When grazing during the the livestock manager to of the roots below ground. duction in overall pasture dormant season (Novem- learn to recognize when If plants are repeatedly yields over the course of ber through February), plants have fully recovered grazed short without the the year. utilization rates can be and can be successfully opportunity for recovery, increased to 65 percent grazed a second time. roots cannot be supplied Ideally, spring grazing with at least 2 to 4 inch- NRCS can help you con- with the nutrients they es of grass remaining on sider your options and pro- should not begin until the need and begin to shrink. average, depending on the vide some helpful advice as As the roots are weakened, grass has reached the species composition of you plan your rotations. so too is the plant, reduc- four-leaf stage or about the pasture. During the As a general rule, it is best ing the plant’s competitive- dormant season, plants are 8-inch minimum height— to wait until your desir- ness for water and nutri- no longer actively growing able grass species are at ents. This leads to plant typically in early or mid- and can tolerate heavier least 8 inches tall, which death. May. grazing pressures. How- ever, care should be taken Allow for rest and recovery of your grasses and you Waiting to graze a field to ensure that plants are in the spring allows the not grazed too severely, as will be rewarded with higher producing pastures and plants to develop deep- doing so can harm plant healthier, faster-gaining animals. er roots that can better growing points and weak- access water and nutrients en or kill plants.

Grazing Management and Soil Health page 9 High Stock Density Grazing

Key Points of a High Stock Density Grazing System Utilization Rate: Controlled Access High Stock Density sys- and Improved Forage tems only graze the top Utilization: 1/3 to 1/2 of the plants. By Livestock are controlled grazing primarily the top to improve utilization of growth, animals graze plants and reduce both only the choicest por- overgrazing and spot graz- tions of the plants, which ing. By restricting animals’ High stock density (HSD) High stock density graz- leads to improved animal access to the field, only ing management involves performance and increased portions of the field are grazing is one of the most concentrating animals rates of gain. Much of the grazed at any given time, effective methods of into a smaller areas (often plant material that is left allowing all the plants grazing management. called paddocks), for a is actually trampled and (including weeds) to be shorter amount of time laid flat on the soil sur- grazed more evenly while face. At first glance, this the remainder of the pas- HSD grazing takes on (from 1-3 days, for exam- may appear wasteful, but tures are allowed to rest many forms and names: ple), and consuming 50 this trampling of material and recover. With High MOB grazing, Manage- percent or less of available improves nutrient cycling, Stock Density grazing, ment Intensive Grazing forage. In Montana, high water retention, and keeps animals become more com- (MIG), and others. Don’t stock density grazing is the soil surface cooler, petitive, and their behavior be confused with the more common on irrigat- which reduces evapora- begins to change, causing a names, as all of these forms ed or dryland pastures tion, and allows plants to decrease in their selective- of grazing model the same comprised mainly of tame focus on regrowth, instead ness when grazing. They general themes of High grass species. Following of just basic survival. Soil begin grazing all species Stock Density grazing grazing, long rest periods organisms are provided the more uniformly, which and many of the points are provided (≥30 days) ideal environment, includ- allows the higher yield- previously outlined in this to allow plants to recover ing food in the form of ing and favorable forage document. The important before being grazed again. manure and grass residue species to better compete thing to remember is that By following a High Stock that has been trampled. and increase in densi- to implement any of these Density grazing system, These soil organisms are ty over weeds and less systems effectively and the quality and amount of an underground livestock desirable plants. Animal correctly, one must abide grass grown can increase herd and they are one of performance may go down by the four keys to grazing substantially over time. the key drivers fueling initially, but improve over management (stocking pasture recovery. Grazers time as animals adapt to rate, livestock rotation, using High Stock Density the change. Grazers using utilization rates, and rest/ grazing have seen signif- High Stock Density graz- recovery). icant increases in yields ing have seen significant (often doubling or tripling reductions in weeds and an production) without the increase in desired plant use of fertilizers or other species without the use of costly, synthetic inputs. herbicides.

Grazing Management and Soil Health page 10 High Stock Density grazing may not be right for everyone, but for most grazing operations, there are areas where they can make meaningful improvement. Perhaps you can try High Smaller Paddocks: Longer Rest Periods: Extended Grazing Stock Density grazing in a small area or for a certain Concentrating animals Longer rest periods of Season: time of the year? Perhaps into smaller paddocks re- 30+ days allow palatable, Grazers using High Stock some of your pastures sults in manure piles closer tall-statured grasses and Density are able to improve could benefit from some together and more evenly legumes the opportunity efficiency of forage utili- additional cross-fencing distributed. Manure is free to recover and increase in zation across their entire to improve rotations? and valuable fertilizer. In a abundance. These plants grazing operation. This Are there ways that large, undivided field, ma- increase in density because allows grazers to plan and you could make simple nure piles tend to concen- their root systems are allocate forages more accu- changes to your rotations trate in select areas such as able to access water and rately throughout the year. that could allow you to better accommodate near water or loafing areas. nutrients deeper in the soil Some areas may be left un- the Four Keys to Grazing profile and outcompete grazed later in the grow- Management? In a field that is subdivided, lower producing plants. ing season (often called manure is evenly distributed Re-grazing of previously stockpiling forage), to be The end goal of grazing grazed pastures should not grazed during the dormant management should and the entire field occur until the majority season, thus allowing for a be to improve animal performance, increase of the tall-statured grass reduction in the amount of benefits from the free plant productivity and species (orchard grass, tall hay that needs to be fed. fertilizer. associated soil health, fescue, meadow brome, In addition, when us- reduce winter feeding etc.) have reached the four- Manure serves as natu- ing High Stock Density and other input costs, and leaf stage; normally about ral fertilizer that helps systems, more forage can ultimately, to be more 8 inches tall. Grazers using profitable. There are feed the soil and improve be produced, which helps High Stock Density graz- many methods that can be fertility. Most High Stock extend the grazing season ing have seen the condition used to improve grazing Density grazers have elim- even longer. With a con- of their pastures improve management, and the inated the use of fertilizer tinual focus on improving over time as taller stat- key is to find a suitable from their pastures, while pasture productivity long method that works for you ured forage species have at the same time benefiting term, feeding areas and and improves the quality increased in abundance from an increase in forage mineral supplements are of life for you and/or your while short growing plants production. rotated during the winter family. and undesirable weeds within and between pas- have decreased. When making tures to spread nutrients, improvements to grazing feed the soil, and better management, always distribute animal impacts. consult the Four Keys to Most High Stock Density Grazing Management, as grazers have cut weeks to they are the cornerstone months off of their win- to effective grazing. If ter feeding requirements. you are interested in High Stock Density grazing, Reducing hay feeding time NRCS can assist you with and costs can quickly im- sizing your paddocks and prove financial gains. managing your rotation, and hopefully reduce some of the risks of trying a new system of grazing. Grazing Management and Soil Health page 11 Definitions Aggregate - Soil Decreaser - Plant species Lichen - A composite aggregates are groups of the original vegetation organism that emerges of soil particles that that will decrease in from algae or cyanobacteria bind to each other more relative amount with (or both) living among strongly than to adjacent continued overuse. filaments of a fungus particles. Aggregate in a mutually beneficial Increaser - Plant species stability refers to the (symbiotic) relationship. of the original vegetation ability of soil aggregates that increase in relative Litter - A layer of slightly to resist disintegration amount, at least for a time, decomposed organic when disruptive forces under overuse. material on the surface of associated with tillage and the soil. water or wind erosion are Invader - Plant species applied. that were absent in Organic Matter - A undisturbed portions of reservoir of nutrients the original vegetation and water in the soil, and will invade under which aids in reducing disturbance or continued compaction and increasing overuse. water infiltration.

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