Grazing consists of taking livestock to a certain place to feed on grass and plants.
Grazing is a concept used to name the process and consequences of shepherding . This verb , for its part, refers to moving livestock to land where they can feed on grass and plants .
Whoever is in charge of developing livestock grazing is called a shepherd . This person is in charge of caring for and guiding the animals when they are on an open surface, outside of stables or similar structures.
It is common for a dog to also be involved in herding, which helps the shepherd control the animals. There are breeds that, due to genetic history, have the necessary skills to contribute to the shepherd in this task.
Origins of pastoralism
It is said that herding was one of the first steps that human beings took to stop being nomadic and become sedentary . By developing this technique, he began to settle on fertile lands, which allowed him to raise the animals that he then killed for food.
What makes grazing possible is that the livestock feed directly on the soil of the field . Grass is the cheapest and easiest food to obtain, providing the animal with the necessary energy . By having grass available, man can feed livestock, which then allows him to obtain everything from meat and leather to wool, milk and other products.
Grazing, however, can be difficult for various reasons. If developed intensively , the grass can be depleted. On the other hand, drought and other climatic events can make pasture unavailable for livestock.
Grazing is economical.
Classification according to type
Grazing can be carried out in different ways, each with its advantages and disadvantages, although only some serve to maintain the maximum quality and volume of forage production for as long as possible. It is worth mentioning that animals act negatively on the pasture (for example, they destroy part of the vegetation and compact the soil when they step on it) and that is why each shepherd looks for the system that best suits their needs.
Let's look at the most common types of grazing:
Continuous grazing
It consists of animals remaining for long periods in the same pasture. It is usually used when the grass is natural, since its growth and production are so scarce that they do not justify subdividing the paddocks. This type of grazing generates an excessive load in dry seasons and a deficient one during rainy seasons, which deteriorates the forage. In addition, it encourages the spread of weeds, does not allow feces and urine to be distributed properly, and does not promote resting of the land. However, the plus point is that it requires a lower monetary investment than the alternatives.
Rotational grazing
It is a system that moves animals between different pastures to use the pasture more efficiently. Through the moderate use of each section (subdivision of the pasture), the land has the necessary time to recover after a period of grazing. Although at first glance it may seem like the ideal option, it has certain requirements: the pasture must be improved and high-yield; the animals must have a high production potential; a high animal load must be expected; Pasture management must be carried out applying certain agronomic practices.
Deferred grazing
It is a system that allows certain pastures to recover before the dry seasons, to be able to use them then. It has a clear disadvantage: the grass matures too much by the time the animals consume it, and this translates into low nutritional value and poor acceptability.