GRAZING BY PRESCRIPTION

Grazing management is recognized as the single most important element in the efficient utilization of pasture. However, it must be remembered that each livestock enterprise exists as a unique combination of human interests, abilities, and management objectives as well as resource based assets, attributes, problems, and concerns. As a result, there is no one best method, plan, practice, or system that can be recommended as superior for all pasture situations.

Each prescribed grazing management plan will need to be developed as a specific treatment designed to accomplish a particular management objective or objectives. The plan can then be implemented by prescription by taking into consider-ation such factors as the landowner's objectives, kind of pasture, number, kind, and class of livestock, and the land/forage resource base of each livestock enterprise. As a general consideration, the greater the need to maximize control over the quantity, quality, or persistence of plants or plant communities, or desire to optimize animal performance, the more intensive the grazing management must be and, the more comprehensive the prescribed grazing management plan.



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