Grazing Management Options for Maintaining Optimum Pasture Composition and Utilization

Global demand for meat and dairy products will continue to increase over the 21st century, however, the global forage-based livestock industry will be challenged in meeting production goals with minimal impact of the environment. Sustainable production of grazing livestock will depend on the use of carefully planned grazing management strategies. Development of a grazing management plan involves making two decisions: determining the livestock density at which pastures are stocked and settling on the method used to graze the pastures. Stocking rate indirectly affects output per animal and per hectare through its direct effect on forage mass and pasture composition. A grazing method should be implemented to maintain the sustainability of a stocking rate that is set to meet a production goal. This review will emphasize the factors to consider in setting a stocking rate and in the selection and design of a grazing method that improves the sustainability of the stocking rate through optimum pasture utilization.