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Grazing Systems
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Pastures can be classified as:
- permanent pastures last for many years with proper
management and are usually on land that is not suitable for
crops
- rotation pastures are usually seeded and used as
part of a rotational grazing system (see below)
- temporary pastures are usually used as supplemental
pastures for a short period of time
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An intense system of grazing management can help provide a
higher yield of forage for pasture. Common grazing systems are:
- Continuous grazing is the constant grazing
of a particular pasture. This requires very little labor and
low costs for fencing and watering.
- Rotational grazing consists of two or more pastures
that are grazed in a sequence, one is grazed while the others
experience rest and regrowth. This system can increase the
carrying capacity of a pasture while improving forage stand
and reducing parasites. This system also requires more management.
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- Intensive grazing is designed to provide the most
high quality forage for the highest producing animals. This
emphasizes spring and early summer grazing. It involves two
groups of animals of which the highest producers get the first
grazing sequence or it could involve allowing both groups
to graze when it is at it's highest quality.
- Creep grazing allows young animals to have high quality
forages without having to compete with their dams. Young animals
can access additional pasture through an opening too small
for their dams to enter.
- Strip grazing allows animals to graze a small area
for short periods of time, such as 1/2 to 1 day. This is controlled
by using movable electric fencing and requires significant
management and labor.
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