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!
#regenerativeagriculture #regenerativefarming #rotationalgrazing #grazing #grazing #cattle #sheep #cattlefarm

[@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.

[@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.

[@Ohio98]

Amazingly non biased

[@realwealthranching]

But untrue

[@eddieculpeper6543]

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

[@user-kv2pt4lu9y]

Absolutely correct!

[@michaelleekinsey2]

False

[@user-kv2pt4lu9y]

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,...

[@user-kv2pt4lu9y]

@@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