targeted grazing

Targeted grazing: a natural approach to vegetation management and landscape enhancement

SUSAN SCHOENIAN (Shāy-nē-ŭn) Extension Sheep & Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education Centersschoen@umd.edu - www.sheepandgoat.com

GrazingTo feed on herbage in a field

Grazing by wild and domestic animals is natural.

Along with fire, grazing is the oldest vegetative management tool.

Grazing changes plant communities.

Two “general” kinds of grazing

UNCONTROLLED

No management Animals eat what they want;

leave what they don’t want. Animals graze for as long as

they want. They go where they want.

CONTROLLED

Land is usually sub-divided into smaller paddocks for grazing.

The type and number of animals that are allowed to graze is controlled.

The length of the grazing period is managed.

Pastures are rested before animals are allowed to graze re-growth.

Fragile areas are fenced off.

Impacts of uncontrolled grazing Can result in overgrazing

if stocking densities are too high, grazing duration is too long, and/or grazing frequency is too often.

Favors undesirable plant species (e.g. invasives, noxious weeds, toxic plants).

Can be destructive to the environment: erosion, deforestation, desertification, etc.

Benefits of controlled grazing

Eliminates potential negative impacts of grazing on the environment.

NEGATIVE → POSITIVE IMPACT

Improves efficiency of forage utilization.

Usually returns more dollars to the producer’s pocket.

Environmental benefitsWell-managed pasture + good grazing practices

Reduce soil erosion Nutrient recycling Improve soil quality Reduce run-off Improve air and

water quality. Better plant

diversity, vigor, and production.

Improved fish and wildlife habitat

Weeds - unwanted plants

Grass Conifer

Browse

Forb

There are many unwanted plants in our landscapes.

How do we get rid of them?

Weed control options

MECHANICAL

BIOLOGICAL

CHEMICAL MANUAL

Considerations

Cost Availability Access Practicality Policy Social

acceptability Environmental

impact

FIRE

Targeted grazing Also called prescribed grazing

“The application of a specific kind of livestock at a determined season, duration, and intensity, to accomplish defined vegetation or landscape goals.” (Launchbaugh and Walker 2006)

Goat grazing bog turtle habitat in Maryland.

Pros and cons of targeted grazing

PROS

Cost More environmentally-

friendly. Eliminate risks of other

methods: dust, safety, chemicals.

Livestock do not cut grass and weeds down to ground level.

Socially-acceptable Natural Green image

CONS

Cost Rules against

livestock Predator risk Animal health risk Droppings in urban

areas

Challenge

Demand exceeds supply.

There seems to be more of a demand for grazing services than there is service providers.

www.livestockforlandscapes.com

www.eco-goats.com

Knowledge of animals and plants is essential for targeted grazing

PLANTS ANIMALS

Choosing the right animal for the job

Goats CattleSheep

Understanding grazing behavior

Cattle Prefer grasses. Less selective. Graze more

uniformly. Least tolerant

of secondary plant compounds.

Sheep Prefer forbs,

then grasses. Selective grazer. Tolerant of

secondary plant compounds.

Goats Prefer browse,

then forbs. Most selective

grazer. Most tolerant of

secondary plant compounds.

Small ruminants vs. cattle

SHEEP AND GOATS

Select a diverse diet Prefer to graze and bed

on upland areas and away from wet lowlands.

Can graze steep, rocky areas.

Their smaller hooves have less of an impact.

Require better fencing Predator risk

CATTLE

Consume a more homogenous diet.

Prefer lowlands for grazing Their bigger hooves have

more of an impact (e.g. soil compaction).

Sheep vs. goats

SHEEP

Grass and forb-dominated landscapes

Orchards Vineyards Young tree plantations Christmas tree farms Around solar panels

GOATS

Heavy brush Woody plants Shrubs Trees Select most diverse diet High browse line

Before and after shot at the 2009 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test.

What kind of sheep or goat? Breed (size)

Bigger breeds can graze or browse higher.

Some breeds are hardier (more disease-resistant).

Age Older animals are more likely

to eat different plants. Young animals have to “learn”

what to eat.

Sex Females and wethers are easier to

manage than intact males.

Physiological condition Young, growing animals and

pregnant or lactating females have higher nutritional requirements that may not be met on the job site.

Opportunities for targeted grazing

LAND OWNERSPUBLIC AND PRIVATE

Contract with grazing service provider to have sheep goats graze public or private land.

ENTREPRENEURSe.g. sheep/goat producers, foresters etc.

Enterprise (income) opportunity Provide grazing

services for a fee.

Land manager considerations

The job may not be simple or cheaper than alternatives.

The land manager and grazing service provider must have a shared vision of what they want the landscape to look like.

Targeted grazing is a business. Land managers must value the service and be willing to provide fair compensation that enables service provider to make a profit.

Enterprise considerations

Healthy animals Animal welfare Containment Water Supplementation Shelter Handling Predator risk Transportation Care / supervision

Containment

Herder

Fencing Permanent▪ Woven wire▪ High-tensile, electric

Temporary▪ Electric netting▪ Poly wire

Fencing needs to deter predators.

Goats are harder to contain. Image by Brian Knox, Eco-Goats

Land manager CONTRACT Grazer

Job description Where Time frame

Payment schedule Up-front charges

Indemnity cause or bonding

Insurance Natural disasters

We won’t work

without a contract.

Targeted grazing with sheep and/or goats

Examples

For the control of noxious weeds

Before and after (leafy spurge) grazing by sheep (6 years) in

Montana.

Only ewes can prevent wildfire

Goat powerAt University of Maryland College Park

Goats save turtle habitat in Maryland

Images by Elizabeth Ely

Government contracts

Additional resources

Targeted Grazing handbookhttp://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/rx-grazing/Handbook.htmhttp://www.sheepusa.org/get_page/pageID/249

Targeted Grazing Interactive Learning Modulehttp://sheepindustrynews.org/Targeted-Grazing/

Targeted Grazing: Research & Informationhttp://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/rx-grazing/science.htm

“The natural power of herbivory and the knowledge of how grazing influencesvegetation communities can be skillfully combined to convert livestock grazing into a powerful tool for vegetation management.” (Targeted Grazing Handbook).

Instead of eating me, pay me to

eat!