Moo-ving Around: Rotationally Grazing Cattle to Manage Native Rangelands

By Kaitlin Burns, MSc, AAg, Agri-Environmental Specialist, Moose Jaw

August 2024

Native rangelands, or native prairie, are areas not previously cultivated and home to plants that naturally grow in the region. Healthy rangelands offer several benefits, including supporting a wide variety of plants and animals, storing carbon, reducing runoff and providing forage for both livestock and wildlife. Managing grazing on these lands can help minimize damage to the ecosystem. A sustainable grazing system considers factors such as climate, terrain, available resources, livestock species and aims to protect soil and plant health.

In the continuous grazing system, livestock have unrestricted access to one pasture throughout the grazing season. Generally, this approach is easier to manage and less expensive, but it can cause uneven grazing pressure, leading to overgrazing and increased risk of weeds or unwanted plants.

In the rotational grazing system, livestock are moved regularly between smaller pastures, giving plants time to rest between grazing periods. This rest helps the plants grow new leaves and roots and promotes seed production. Rotational grazing systems usually require a higher investment, including costs for cross-fencing and water development. Cross-fencing is essential in rotational grazing systems, as it divides pastures into smaller sections for better management of grazing pressure and plant recovery. There are several types of rotational grazing systems:

• Switchback: One pasture is divided into two areas with a cross-fence. One section is grazed while the other rests.
• Deferred rotation: Grazing in each paddock is delayed once per year. For example, if a paddock is grazed in the spring of the first year, it will rest until later in the second year.
• Rest-rotation: Requires at least three paddocks. One paddock is rested all year, while the other two are grazed.
• Intensive: Uses many paddocks, with high stocking density for short periods, followed by long rest periods. Generally, this system involves higher costs and more management.
• Complementary: Uses both tame and native pastures, selecting each based on its quality and seasonal conditions.

Continuous and rotational grazing methods each have their benefits and challenges. By investing in cross-fencing and water development and using rotational grazing practices, producers can improve the health and productivity of their rangelands while maintaining the native prairie ecosystem. If you would like to learn more about implementing a rotational grazing system in your operation, contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.