Additional fence and water development costs will have to be covered but it is apparent that becoming more intensive has the potential to increase net return due to lower fixed costs in land. As can be seen from the chart, very good gross returns per acre are possible with seasonal dairy production, while a low intensity, beef cow-calf operation, will likely result in a net loss when all of costs are included. How you structure your operation, debt load, land charges and investment in buildings and equipment will have a major impact on your bottom line. Low debt and overhead levels will enhance the profitability of your operation. Improving grazing management results in more complete vegetative cover and improved soil structure, that allows a higher percentage of the rainfall to infiltrate the soil where it can be used for plant growth rather than running off where it can result in soil erosion and sedimentation problems.
Many ecological processes accelerate including decomposition of manure.
Nutrients can then be recycled several times during the growing season. This improves overall soil quality. Water quality improves as the pasture vegetation becomes more dense and the soil condition improves. A similar study done by USDA-Agricultural Research Service, North Appalachian Experimental Watershed at Coshocton, Ohio revealed that both surface and ground water quality in a pastured watershed was just as good or better than water leaving an adjacent pristine wooded watershed. Pasture soils are a terrific biological filter to recover nutrients passing through the soil.