Overgrazed pastures and rising feed costs can take a toll on both your animals and your bottom line. Rotational grazing offers a solution that enhances pasture health while boosting livestock production.
What is rotational grazing?
Rotational grazing systems allow livestock to graze smaller paddocks in sequence, giving each section time to rest and recover.
Typically, paddocks are grazed for 1-2 days, followed by a rest period of 15-25 days, depending on seasonality of growth. This rest period allows plants to replenish energy reserves and regain vigour, ensuring long-term health and productivity.
Advantages of rotational grazing for your farm
- Boosts pasture productivity: Well-rested pastures grow stronger and provide more feed, reducing your reliance on supplements.
- Healthier livestock: With constant access to fresh, nutrient-rich grass, your animals will be healthier and improve the production of milk or meat.
- Long-term soil improvement: Better-managed grazing leads to richer soil and stronger pastures over time.
- Cost savings: By maximising pasture use, you can cut down on imported feed costs.
Disadvantages of rotational grazing systems
- Initial setup costs: Creating paddocks requires investment in fencing and water systems.
- Time and management: You’ll need a grazing plan and regular monitoring of pastures and livestock.
- Learning curve: It takes time to master the principles of pasture management and animal needs.
- Land constraints: Smaller farms might struggle to find enough space for paddocks, especially with limited grazing land.
Getting started with rotational grazing
You don’t need a large-scale operation to start rotational grazing. A 4-6 paddock system is a great place to begin. Focus on creating a grazing schedule that aligns with seasonal growth rates to ensure each section gets enough rest.
Here’s how to ease into it:
- Start small: Begin with a small area and a few cattle, experimenting and refining your approach as you go. A 15-25 acre area is a good starting point.
- Paddock size matters: Grass growth varies, so be flexible. Temporary fencing can help you adjust paddock sizes as the season progresses.
- Keep the herd moving: Move livestock before the grass becomes too mature. If necessary, increase animal numbers or reduce paddock size to ensure proper grazing.
- Seasonal adjustments: Early in the season, a 21-day rotation works well, but during peak growth, reduce rotations to 12-15 days. As growth slows later in the year, extend rest periods to 21-25 days.
For a successful season, grazing management typically happens in three key periods:
- Autumn grazing management (mid-August to housing) to prepare pastures for winter.
- Spring grazing management (early February to mid-April) to kickstart pasture growth.
- Summer grazing management (mid-April to mid-August) to maximise grazing during peak growth.
The benefits are clear: healthier pastures, happier livestock, and a more profitable farm. Start small, monitor the results, and watch your grassland improve with rotational grazing.
Want to explore more options? Read our article on 8 grazing systems used in grassland farming to find the right approach for your operation.