Managing Grazing

TO IMPROVE CLIMATE RESILIENCE

 Cows on pasture laneway. Image by Kathy Soder, ARS

A rotational stocking system controls the 

timing and intensity of grazing by rotating 

animals among paddocks. This gives the 

pastures time for rest and regrowth.

Why should I Adapt?

Heavy rain events have increased dramatically in the Northeastern United States. These downpours are causing more 

soil erosion and nutrient runoff. Increasing summer temperatures may also amplify plant stress and limit productivity. 

Consider adapting to these climate trends on your farm by 

using a rotational stocking system. Rotational stocking has 

other great benefits. Compared to continuous stocking, it 

improves forage yield and animal productivity per acre. 

This practice also promotes soil health, carbon sequestration, 

and maintains a farm’s environmental resources. Managing 

plant communities through rotational stocking can improve 

forage root structure and depth. Better root structure means 

healthier plants, greater water infiltration, and much less 

susceptibility to drought. 

A Herd of Benefits

Soil structure, soil cover, and soil organic 

matter are all enriched. This in turn enhances 

life in the soil, reduces runoff, limits soil erosion, and promotes improved water quality. 

More even manure distribution increases 

manure management effectiveness and 

efficiency. 

Social benefits include scenic landscapes 

and healthier food products. When lowstress livestock management is combined 

with frequently moving livestock, animals 

become easier to handle. This reduces the 

risk of injury to animals and humans.

Economic benefits include fewer herd health 

problems. Healthier herds mean lower veterinary bills and reduced animal replacement 

costs.

Rotation Risks

Horses grazing in a managed grazing system (Left). Image by Lynn G. Knight, used with 

permission. Cow drinks from portable water trough (right). Image by Howard Skinner, used 

with permission.

High livestock densities need to be properly 

managed. Otherwise you may face soil 

compaction, degradation to plant cover 

and animal habitat, and water quality issues. 

Rotational stocking is more labor, capital, 

and management intensive than a continuous stocking system. It does require more 

fencing, watering systems, and laneways.

Poorly managed grazing can impair animal 

health and productivity, which can reduce 

profitability. Any errors in layout and execution can raise costs. If this practice is not 

implemented properly, milk production in 

dairy cattle may decrease more quickly than 

offset costs, hurting cash flow. 

by Northeast grazing experts: Juan Alvez, Pasture Technical Coordintor, 

Center for Sustainable Agriculture, University of Vermont; James B. Cropper, 

Executive Director, Northeast Pasture Consortium; Lynn G. Knight, Agricultural Economist, USDA-NRCS; Ed Rayburn, Extension Specialist, West 

Virginia University; Howard Skinner, Physiological Plant Ecologist, USDA-ARS; 

Kathy Soder, Animal Scientist, USDA-ARS; and Mike Westendorf, Extension 

Specialist, Rutgers University. 

February 2018
Rotation Risks Portable water trough for Holstein dairy cows (left). Nose pump for watering livestock on 

rotational pasture (right). Images by James B. Cropper, used with permission.

Application Methods and Tips

Keep rotational paddock layouts simple. Consult with farmers currently practicing rotational stocking or other specialists to work out a layout and rotational system that fits your 

farm and pastures. University Extension, Natural Resources 

Conservation Service, or other reputable grazing consultants 

can all help. 

Where possible, any hay land that is not currently grazed 

could be brought into the pasture system for grazing during 

the summer and fall to extend the grazing season. Try to 

use improved forage species and diversity in pastures. Also 

remember to allow for more forage residual (not grazing 

as closely to the ground) and appropriate rest time per 

rotation. Allow animals with higher nutritional requirements 

access to the best forage possible. You should also consider 

supplemental feeding (e.g., concentrate) to meet the nutrient needs of animals. 

A good perimeter fence is a must. Electrified fencing such 

as single strand high tensile wire works well for pasture subdivisions. Movable or fixed water tubs connected to main 

pipelines can fulfill livestock water needs. Supply lines made 

from polyethylene tubing laid on the ground surface along 

fence lines can serve multiple paddocks. 

In places where livestock traffic is frequent, laneways will 

help cut down on mud and erosion. Heavily used laneways 

may need underlayment with geotextile fabric and surfacing 

with crushed limestone, shale, or a more durable material. 

Dairy cows should be moved to a fresh paddock after each 

milking. Beef cattle, horses, sheep, and goats can be moved 

less frequently (either daily or every few days). Protect animals from severe weather elements by giving them access 

to shade or shelter. 

Additional Resources

NRCS Pasture Resource Guides 

and Tools: Pasture management 

information, tools and economics

» https://go.usa.gov/xnM8e 

» https://go.usa.gov/xnM8u

Graze Magazine: Subjects range from business success on grass-based farms 

to animal injury

» grazeonline.com

On Pasture: Research and farmer 

experiences on pasture management

» onpasture.com

WVU Pasture and Hay: Resources on 

forage production and management

» anr.ext.wvu.edu/forage

Northeast Pasture Grazing Guide: 

Dedicated to improving pasture 

management

» grazingguide.net

UVM Extension: Collection of blog 

posts on grazing and pasture 

management

» https://goo.gl/9rVd4T

Adaptation Resources for Agriculture: 

A flexible, structured, self-guided pro- cess to identify and assess climate 

change impacts 

» https://go.usa.gov/xnFs5

nehub@fs.fed.us

www.climatehubs.oce.usda.gov/northeast

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