Grazing with Purpose: Aligning Feed Resources with Livestock Needs

RCS’ Katlin and Raymond are back, and for the third installment of their insightful pasture monitoring series, they’re shifting the focus from simply measuring feed to strategically using it. With cooler days just around the corner for many, they highlight a crucial turning point: the rapid decline in pasture growth. The feed you have now is likely what you’ll be working with for the foreseeable future, making proactive feed budgeting and, more importantly, thoughtful grazing planning absolutely essential.

We’ve already covered optimising growth and accurately estimating feed availability. Now, the conversation dives into the “how” – how to best utilise that precious resource. Grazing planning, as Raymond aptly puts it, is the next logical step after feed budgeting. It’s about making informed decisions on when and where different classes of livestock graze, considering a multitude of factors to maximise both animal performance and land health.

So, what exactly does smart grazing planning entail? It’s a dynamic process that moves beyond simply opening a gate. It requires a deep understanding of your livestock, your land, and the seasonal changes at play. Katlin prompts Raymond for concrete examples, and he delivers practical considerations that every producer should be mulling over.

Here are some key tips and considerations for effective grazing planning:

• Match Feed Quality to Livestock Needs:

  • Allocate the highest quality pastures to animals with the greatest nutritional demands, such as weaners.
  • Utilise mature animals to graze areas you wish to condition or improve.
  • Don’t hesitate to supplement when necessary to meet specific animal requirements.

• Anticipate and Respond to Climate:

  • Graze frost-sensitive plant species before significant frosts occur to avoid losing valuable feed.
  • Consider how seasonal changes will impact pasture growth and plan accordingly.

• Embrace Active Management:

  • Move beyond simply having a feed “vault” and actively plan how and when different paddocks will be grazed.
  • Recognise the unique characteristics of each paddock and tailor grazing strategies.

• Factor in Economic Returns:

  • Evaluate which grazing strategies will yield the greatest gross margin for your specific animal classes.

• Integrate Land Management Goals:

  • Strategically graze areas to manage fuel loads for controlled burns or to reduce fire risk in vulnerable zones.
  • Consider how grazing can influence pasture composition and overall land health.

• Think Seasonally:

  • If your region experiences winter growth, plan to graze down summer feed to make way for new forage.

• Consider Logistics:

  • Position cattle closer to yards for ease of mustering and other management practices.

Raymond offers a powerful framework for thinking about graze planning, emphasising the benefits for:

• The Country: Implementing grazing strategies that promote land health and sustainability.
• The Stock: Ensuring animals have access to appropriate nutrition for optimal performance.
• The People: Streamlining management practices and improving overall efficiency.

Ultimately, smart grazing planning is about overlaying these various considerations with the overarching goal of profitability. It’s an ongoing process of observation, adaptation, and refinement. What worked this year? What didn’t work last year? What new strategies are worth exploring to optimise your grazing management for the unique conditions of your property?

This snippet from Katlin and Raymond serves as a timely reminder that as the growing season slows, proactive and thoughtful grazing planning becomes paramount. It’s a crucial step beyond simply budgeting feed, allowing producers to strategically manage their pastures and livestock for a successful and sustainable season ahead.