Impact on forage growth and production at different utilization rates by grazing ruminant livestock

Project Details

Project Lead: MBFI
Years: 2022 - present
Project Status: Ongoing
Funding & In-Kind Support: Canadian Agricultural Partnership
Location: Brookdale Farm
Scope: Demonstration
Keywords: Grazing Management, Perennial Forages

Forage sample collection

July 3, 2022

Cattle grazing an 80% utilization treatment

June 7, 2022

Pasture regrowth one month after grazing. Left: 80% utilization; Right: 50% utilization

July 13, 2022

Approach

Implement a paired rotational system at Brookdale Farm, with one targeting 50% utilization grazed multiple times, and the other targeting 80% utilization and grazed once per season.

Key Findings

Forage productivity: In the first year there are no yield differences based on utilization treatment. Yield differences between treatments are attributed to historical grazing.

Forage species shift: The first year of this project examines a baseline level for forage species. In 2022 there were more desirable grass and legume species on paddocks that had previously been managed in a planned rotation.

Grazing days: In 2022, the 50% utilization treatment had 46 days of grazing and the 80% utilization treatment had 28 days of grazing.

Economics: Implementing the 50% utilization treatment cost more, largely due to the increased labour needed for two rotations. However, the 50% utilization treatment also produced more value compared to the 80% utilization treatment.