Intensive Grazing
I just learned about a grazing technique that is very interesting to say the least. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back right after this to tell you about it.A new grazing method that I just read about probably wouldn't work in our part of eastern Washington, Oregon or the high deserts of Idaho, but it to me it was so different I had to tell you about it. Alan Newport wrote about Chad Peterson's "Mob grazing" in Western Farmer-Stockman. Mob grazing is best described as intensive, intensive, intensive. Peterson has so many cattle in his Nebraska Soundhill's pastures that they can graze each paddock only about two hours. The cattle are moved six to eight times a day with pasture size increased as the day progresses and then finally large enough to hold the animals overnight. The cattle are controlled with a portable electric fence and the ranch has an over abundance of water flowing in skid mounted troughs that help make the unique grazing system work. Chad Peterson heard Allan Savory talk about high stock density about seven years ago, tried the concept, and then just kept increasing densities to his present system. This method has increased soil organic matter from two percent to nine percent, extended the green season on many plant species, and has increased wildlife species and overall biodiversity. Mob grazing gives Peterson three to four times more grazing each year. While interesting, I don't think the idea would work too well in our dry, rocky so-called pastures. I'm Jeff Keane.
Western Farmer-Stockman May 2009
