Total vs Partial Grazing: Which is better for Rotational Grazing?

In this video, we'll explore the debate between total and partial grazing in rotational grazing systems. Find out which method is more effective for maximizing pasture productivity and livestock health!
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[@williambryan2804]

I started watching your video and immediately noticed something. I have taken Jim Elizondo's Real Wealth Ranching where he teaches total grazing. Under his program, the animals are not left in the paddock any longer than with a partial graze. Ideally, he likes to make his paddock just big enough so the animals will eat between 85% and 90% of the total forage. This means the paddock size is smaller than with a partial graze. After 24 hours (generally) the animals are moved to the next paddock. Jim encourages moving the animals 4 times a day. This causes the animals to eat more quickly, because they are competing with the herd or flock, and eat everything instead of being selective. Because more of the plant is eaten, there is less stalk left and when the plant grows back is has a higher concentration of leaves than a partial graze. Also, because the paddock size is smaller than with a partial graze, as @practicalsheepman stated, there is a longer rest period between grazing. Leaving the animals on the paddock for too long results in overgrazing. Overgrazing occurs when the plant starts to grow back and is then eaten again before it has had a chance to grow and recover from the first graze. This is my second year doing total grazing. Last year the grass was pretty sparse and I had to graze my full 5 acres. This spring, I grazed just under 2 1/2 acres and went back to the beginning instead of grazing the full 5 acres. The other half is being kept as a stockpile and allows the grass a longer break. It will be grazed next year while the half I'm grazing now rests. The grass I returned to (about 50 days later max) was almost waist high and had already gone to seed. Under Jim's program I should have returned when the plants went into the boot stage, instead of going back when the seed head had formed.

[@GooffuX]

Who TF has time to move animals 4 times a day? That's supremely impractical!

[@williambryan2804]

@@GooffuX I don't have the time, so I only move once per day. He has done research and found the best gains in soil health happen when the animals are moved 4 times per day. Nothing further.

[@JackThor]

with 5 acre how many cows do you have?

[@williambryan2804]

@@JackThor I'm running sheep. I have 11 sheep right now, which is just over 2 animal units. I'm only using half of the pasture and can't keep up with the grass. Before I had a steer (about 700-800 lbs.) and about 3 sheep. I had just over 1 animal unit and I had a lot of bare dirt, some coastal Bermuda, and the mesquite was coming in.

[@mikedonovan4434]

@@GooffuX Greg Judy and his interns move the mob 3x per day. Using a single strand of Powerflex electric polybraid, it takes the interns less than ten minutes to roll back 100 feet of the line to facilitate movement and then back fence the previous paddock. When it’s your job, the tasks are supremely practical.

[@practicalsheepman]

One point not mentioned is that with total grazing the rest period between grazings is typically longer giving the plants more time to recover. Also, the quality of forage on subsequent grazings is higher because the plants are less mature and have a higher leaf to stem ratio. More selective grazing occurs when partial grazing which favors the less desirable species. Partial grazing might make sense during drought conditions and on highly erodible land with bare soil showing.

[@Twindragon-tu1wd]

Thanks 🙏👍

[@linalitafarm]

I am using a partial grazing strategy with my small flock of sheep. I am doing this because my goal is to build soil (the land has been heavily degraded), increase its organic matter content, and in turn increase its moisture-holding capacity. So far, the partial-grazing method seems to be doing the job and moving me toward achieving my goals. Species diversity in the pasture has increased dramatically.

[@Twindragon-tu1wd]

A variety of forage, a 9 ingredient salad for grazers is best . Been doing it for centuries in England. Even certain trees are trimmed for forage. ❤😂🎉

[@nielscorfield4163]

Any data with this?

[@noahriding5780]

Out of the 2 types of grazing, which is more recommended in areas with fire risk?

[@Marilou-g5t]

Why not host a debate between the gurus on each side. From what i have seen, one side freely discusses their methods and the other tries to sell their consulting without explaining anything except that their system is great. (Though i just recently found one new practitioner who does explain some of the "more hidden techniques" side). Would love an indepth comparison! My background is CAFO dairy milking 750 head (i did the vet tech tasks) and was a teacher/naturalist intern in the 1990's at a suburban Philadelphia nature center. I suspect that each side's techniques would be what is needed depending on CONTEXT as Understanding Ag folks point out often.

[@RegenerativeFarmersofAmerica]

Because no one watches our interviews:)

[@philleahey5031]

You might find that " all of the above" including CAFO works best at any given time and situation on your farm

[@tireddad6541]

​@RegenerativeFarmersofAmerica I think a discussion rather than a debate would be more helpful. For one thing, both Jaime and Greg Judy, as examples, have seen and done a lot, though Greg has less experience with other than Missouri. If Jaime visited Greg, on one of Greg's newer farms, there would be a great deal of respect but by a back and forth, it would be helpful. The thing is there are so many different variations and situations. Both have experience

[@Marilou-g5t]

@@tireddad6541 Jaime and Gabe Brown or Allen Williams or Alejandro Carrillo. If Alejandro, it could be in Spanish, too!

[@Marilou-g5t]

Jaime and Alejandro both speak Spanish. Would be great to get it in multiple languages!

[@MistressOP]

you need to do tree fodder next

[@RegenerativeFarmersofAmerica]

Working on it! Good suggestion

[@bobbrassington9201]

How many cows will one acre carry

[@RegenerativeFarmersofAmerica]

It is not linear. As you improve your soil your carrying capacity will increase

[@Ohio98]

Amazingly non biased

[@realwealthranching]

But untrue

[@eddieculpeper6543]

Exposing the soil is never a good method if you want healthy plant/forage material.

[@Marilou-g5t]

Absolutely correct!

[@michaelleekinsey2]

False

[@Marilou-g5t]

Check out: Joel Salatin, Gabe Brown, Allen Williams, Understanding Ag, Jim Gerrish, Ray Archuleta, Greg Judy, Teddy Gentry (yes, from the country music band Alabama) Allen Savory (Savory Institute), Steve Kenyon, Regenerative Ag Alliance Inc (has a great graphic on plant regrowth at various levels of height remaining after a grazing event), Richard Perkins, Ian Mitchell Innes, Heifer International,...

[@Marilou-g5t]

@@michaelleekinsey2 please, give supporting sources, so we can investigate your claim. Have a blessed day!

[@realwealthranching]

Absolutely correct, this video is so wrong that is misleading