The prescribed grazing concept is based on the recognition that there are many different kinds of pasture plants, grazing animals, and landowner production and/or management objectives with each requiring a somewhat different approach or level of grazing management. As a result, the prescribed grazing management strategy places a greater emphasis on describing harvest management factors such as prescribing the frequency, intensity, timing and duration of grazing events; and identifying the appropriate kind, number, or class of livestock than it does on arguing the merits of a particular grazing system or method of stocking.

Although the prescribed grazing management approach will generate many different grazing management plans, there are only two methods of stocking used with this strategy- rotational and continuous. Because there are inherent differences associated with the methodologies and mechanics of implementation, care should be exercised when recommending or implementing a particular method. Depending on the management objectives, the method may not be ecologically required to achieve the desired result(s) or, because of increased costs, be economically practical to implement.