Producers who are unwilling to move their animals on a regular basis should opt for continuous grazing. This practice will reduce the potential stocking rates for the pasture and require additional management in clipping the stand periodically. Rotational grazing requires that animals be moved every one to seven days to another pasture while the recently grazed pasture is allowed to rest for about 35 days. Rotationally grazed pastures should be bush-hogged to remove mature forage and stimulate new, nutritious forage. Advantages of rotational grazing include increased stocking rates and greater overall productivity.
Disadvantages are increased costs in fencing and labor.
Pasture plants can also be harvested mechanically as hay or green chop or haylage if forage production exceeds that needed by livestock. Stockpiling is another option in pastures predominated by tall fescue. Accumulated forage can be grazed in late fall and early winter as a way to extend the grazing season. Only tall fescue offers this advantage since its quality remains relatively high, despite its physiological maturity. Endophyte-infected tall fescue should not be used for breeding sheep and pregnant or nursing mares.