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Supplemental Measure 2: Grazing Management

Grazing management strategies are applied to activities on range, irrigated and non-irrigated pasture, and other grazing lands used by domestic livestock. Range refers to lands such as natural grasslands, savannas, wetlands, and certain shrub lands. In most cases, range supports native vegetation that is extensively managed through the control of livestock rather than agronomy practices, such as fertilization, mowing, or irrigation. Pastures are improved lands that have been seeded, irrigated, and fertilized and are primarily used for the production of adapted, domesticated forage plants for livestock. There is a wide range of grazing systems for rangeland and pastures that managers may select from. In all cases, however, the key management parameters are:

• Grazing frequency
• Livestock stocking rates
• Livestock distribution
• Timing and duration of each rest and grazing period
• Livestock kind and class
• Forage use allocation for livestock and wildlife

Factors to consider in determining the appropriate grazing system for any individual farm or ranch include the availability of water in each pasture, the type of livestock operation, the kind and type of forage available, the relative location of pastures, the terrain, and the number and size of different pasture units available.