Ag science chp 18-grazing and grassland management

Explain paddock grazing( mini field)

~ Dividing land into 20-30 paddocks of equal size

~ Livestock graze a paddock for 24 hours and are moved to a new paddock

~ livestock return to 1st paddock in 21 days once grass has regrown

Give advantages and disadvantages for paddock grazing

Advantages

1) grass has increased palatability, productivity and digestibility

2) better grass utilisation with little waste

3) surplus grass conserved as silage or hay

Disadvantages

1) high set up costs (roadways, fencing, water troughs, gates)

2) increased poaching with higher stocking rate

3) high labour moving live stock every day

Explain strip grazing

~ Dividing a field into strips using a moveable electric fence

~ livestock graze a strip for 24 hours and are moved to a new strip

~ back fence prevents movement of livestock into previously grazed strips

Give advantages and disadvantages of strip grazing

Advantages

1) grass has increased palatability, productivity and digestibility

2) better grass utilisation with little waist

3) lower setup costs, (no roadway less water troughs and fencing)

Disadvantages

1) increased poaching with higher stocking rates

2) high labour moving livestock daily

3)difficult to operate machinery in small strips (making silage and spreading fertiliser)

Explain block grazing

~ dividing large fields into smaller blocks that livestock graze for one week

~ blocks can be subdivided for strip grazing using a moveable electric fence

~ popular on small scale farms particularly part-time farmers

Give advantages and disadvantages of block crisis

Advantages

1) less labour livestock aren’t being moved every day

2) lower setup costs, (no roadway less water troughs and fencing)

3) easier to operate machinery in larger fields

Disadvantages

1) poor grass utilisation compared to paddock and strip grazing

2) more grass wasted

3) grass can be damaged when regrowing

Explain leader follower grazing

~ The system is used in conjunction with paddock grazing where the young animals are grazed 1 field ahead of the older animals

~ young animals have access to fresh leafy grass

~ the older animals will graze down the grass which remains

Give advantages and disadvantages for leader follower grazing

Advantages

1) high lwg in young livestock with constant fresh leafy grass

2) young animals are always on clean grass which reduces their chance of picking up diseases

Disadvantages

1) young animals do not have access to their mothers like they do in a creep grazing system

2) increase chance of older livestock picking up diseases

Explain zero grazing

~ grazing system where cattle or housed inside all year

~ zero Grazer is used to cut grass or other forage crops and bring feed to livestock housed in slatted shed

Give advantages and disadvantages of zero grazing

Advantages

1) land isn’t poached by livestock

2) less lameness in livestock (no walking on roadways)

3) higher weight gain and milk production (less energy wasted through movement)

Disadvantages

1) expensive (machinery, housing)

2) soil becomes compacted (heavy from machinery)

3) high labour required operating machinery every day

Explain set stocking

~ livestock have access to all grazing land over one area for the grazing season

~ cheapest form of grazing method

~ not associated with intensive farming

Give advantages and disadvantages of set stocking

Advantages

1) low input costs (little fencing and water troughs required)

2) low levels of poaching low stocking rate

3) little labour involved livestock don’t need to be moved

Disadvantages

1) low levels of grass utilisation

2) reduced levels of PPD

3) constantly exposed to disease

Explain mixed grazing

~ grazing of sheep and cattle together in the same paddock/field

~ sheep eat grass around cow dung (no grass wasted/patchy regrowth)

~ cows are selective grazers so sheep will eat grass that cows avoid

Give advantages and disadvantages of mixed grazing

Advantages

1) increased production levels of 10 to 15% in both livestock

2) increase tailoring and utilisation of grass (sheep graze closer to ground)

3)decreased risk of stomach worms infestation in livestock

Disadvantages

1)regrowth of grass takes longer (grazing habits of sheep)

2)fencing may need to be adjusted for different types of livestock

Explain creep grazing

~ involves a creep gate in a fence where young livestock can graze 1 field ahead of older livestock

~ young livestock graze fresh grass reducing chances of disease

~ young livestock have access to mothers where milk is part of their diet

Give advantages and disadvantages of creep grazing

Advantages

1) young livestock have higher weight gains and reduce chance of disease

2) young livestock have access to grass with high PPD

Disadvantages

1) older animals have lower output levels

2)high setup costs (creep gate, fencing, water troughs)

Explain extended grazing

~ the outdoor grazing season is extended between dec-mar

~ grass growth rates begin to drop from August on

~ grazing land is closed off early in jul/aug to build up grass in late summer

~ quantity of grass depends on weather conditions, fertiliser applications, date of paddock closure and date of grazing

~ earlier the paddock is closed the higher yield of grass

~ grass yield peaks first of November then declines

Give advantages and disadvantages of extended grazing

Advantages

1) reduce need for silage

2) reduced costs

3) reduces carbon footprint of farm

Disadvantages

1) poor weather conditions lead to unsuitable grazing conditions and poaching

2) early paddock closure DMD decreases