735
Pasture Development and Sustainable Grazing Management
Because grazed forage is the cheapest source of nutrients for small ruminants, grazing systems should be planned around maximizing use of grazed forages and minimizing that of hay and purchased feedstuffs. From 4 wk before parturition until weaning, the doe or ewe will consume 60% of the nutrients required in a year; therefore, it is important to provide as much nutrition as possible during this time from grazed forages. This may be accomplished by adjusting the lambing/kidding season and/or utilizing appropriate forage species which provide grazing during this period. Soil type (series), fertility, and rainfall (amount and distribution) are major determinants of forage production. A soil survey and soil test determine limitations in selection of forage species. Local/state level expertise is very important for planning a forage production system. Planting new forage species is expensive, although no-till drills reduce the cost. However, it can be cost-effective to establish forages that provide grazing during critical periods such as cool-season forages for kidding/lambing or warm-season forages for summer grazing. Overseeding forages, especially cool-season legumes and grasses, can be quite cost-effective. Forage plant structure (bunch vs sod forming) and tannin-containing plants can facilitate control of internal parasites. Control of internal parasites is often a more important factor in pasture management than maximizing forage production. Inclusion and/or maintenance of woody species in the goats’ grazing system is beneficial. Woody species may be leguminous, provide high quality forage, tolerate drought, and enable animals to graze away from the soil, reducing parasite challenge. Nonetheless, the inclusion of woody species in grazing systems is limited by lack of information. Rotational grazing is important for the control of internal parasites, uniform utilization of available forages, weed control, and pasture persistence. Timely provision of supplements such as minerals and/or protein can increase intake and digestibility of available forage, mitigating need for additional supplementation. Fencing costs can be a major constraint of small ruminant pasture management, but electric fence may be a cost-effective solution. Shade is necessary in humid areas and a windbreak is necessary during cold weather to reduce stress in grazing animals. A well-planned water distribution system will facilitate a rotational grazing program. Predator control is essential for an effective small ruminant grazing program. An appropriate forage management plan will reduce internal parasite problems and costs of production, thereby improving profitability of the small ruminant enterprise.
Keywords: Pasture management, Grazing system, Internal parasite