Transitioning from conventional continuous grazing to planned rest-rotation grazing: A case study from Central Texas

Authors: Harmel, Daren; Smith, Douglas; Haney, Richard; ANGERER, J - Texas A&M Agrilife; HAILE, N - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS, USDA); Grote, Lynn; GROTE, S - Texas A&M Agrilife; Tiner, Kyle; GOODWIN, J - Noble Research Institute; TEAGUE, R - Texas A&M Agrilife; Derner, Justin

Submitted to: Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/11/2021
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Debate on the superiority of rotational or continuous grazing continues, but proponents of each call for additional research to enhance grazing management decisions. The temperature and rainfall conditions under which each grazing system is preferable is not well understood and neither is the short-term impact of transitioning from continuous grazing to an alternative grazing system. This transition can require substantial changes in infrastructure and management decisions related to forage availability, grazing duration (livestock movement), forage planting, and supplemental feeding. Thus, the objective of this 5 year case study was to compare a planned rest-rotation grazing system to conventional continuous grazing, focusing on the short-term impacts of transitioning to this management-intensive alternative in humid subtropical conditions. The experimental data and observations (i.e., forage production, diet quality, cattle response, economics, soil health) showcase real-world challenges and opportunities. For example, management changes under the planned rest-rotation system showed the potential for increased annual forage production, improved soil health (on cultivated grazed land with multi-species forage crops, but not on pastures), and reduced costs; however, conventional continuous grazing produced higher body condition scores and higher revenue. Annual profits (~$5.32/ac, $2.15/ha) were similar for both ranches considering all economic factors. Key lessons learned and challenges faced include the difficulty of no-till establishment of cool-season multi-species forage in cultivated fields and the importance of adequate fertilization of supplemental forage crops and dietary supplementation in the cold season.

Technical Abstract: Debate on the superiority of rotational or continuous grazing continues, but proponents of each call for additional research to enhance grazing management decisions. The hydro-climatic conditions under which each grazing system is preferable is not well understood and neither is the short-term impact of transitioning from continuous grazing to an alternative grazing system. This transition can require substantial changes in infrastructure and management decisions related to forage availability, grazing duration (livestock movement), forage planting, and supplemental feeding. Thus, the objective of this 5 year case study was to compare a planned rest-rotation grazing system to conventional continuous grazing, focusing on the short-term impacts of transitioning to this management-intensive alternative in humid subtropical conditions. The experimental data and observations (i.e., forage production, diet quality, cattle response, economics, soil health) showcase real-world challenges and opportunities. For example, management changes under the planned rest-rotation system showed the potential for increased annual forage production, improved soil health (on cultivated grazed land with multi-species forage crops, but not on pastures), and reduced costs; however, conventional continuous grazing produced higher body condition scores and higher revenue. Annual profits (~$5.32/ac, $2.15/ha) were similar for both ranches considering all economic factors. Key lessons learned and challenges faced include the difficulty of no-till establishment of cool-season multi-species forage in cultivated fields and the importance of adequate fertilization of supplemental forage crops and dietary supplementation in the cold season.