The resources of a livestock production unit include land, livestock, water and capital. Livestock producers are resource managers, and as such are faced with the challenge of producing the, maximum amount of saleable product annually without destroying the long-term production potential of the farm or ranch unit. A good sound pasture management program is essential to meet the challenge. Grazing Livestock Management Nutrition Vaccination and Immunization Sanitation and Hygiene Constant Surveillance Resources Good pasture management involves much more than simply turning stock onto forage. The ultimate purpose of pasture is to convert forage into a saleable animal product.
Many factors contribute to forage and livestock production.
Good pasture management involves the control and application of these factors for maximum production. The most important step in developing a pasture management program is to determine the proper stocking rate. Overstocking pastures is a common mistake made by livestock producers. Understocking a pasture produces maximum gains per animal, but production per acre is reduced. The ideal stocking rate is one that falls between the maximum production per animal and the maximum production per acre.