CONTROLLING THE PASTURE PREDATOR

Most attempts at improving pasture productivity have been through agronomic techniques and methods such as the application of fertilizers, lime, and herbicides; or the reseeding of pastures to plant species that are higher yielding, provide greater quality, or have more desirable growth characteristics. Unfortunately, these and other similar techniques provide only short-term improvements or do not work at all unless the negative influences of the pasture predator are controlled.

Simply stated, there are no plants that "like" to be eaten, trampled, or buried in manure and urine. However, when the frequency, intensity, timing, and duration of these events are brought under a level of control consistent with promoting plant survival, most all of the commonly grown forage species demonstrate both high levels of production and long-term persistence. Hence, the key to maximizing pasture yields and reducing losses from animal impacts is in recognizing that each plant species has specific tolerances and requirements for the sustainment of life, and then prescribing a level of grazing management that best addresses those requisites.



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