The Use and Management of Continuous Stocking Methods

Because of the increased amount of wasted forage associated with the continuous stocking method and the highly variable forage quality, it is not recommended for livestock operations where maximizing production per acre is the primary objective or for livestock possessing high genetic potentials for growth or milk production. However, for many livestock operations where the forage supply exceeds the forage demand, and there is no demonstrated need for the surplus forage, continuous stocking may be the most appropriate method or all that can be economically justified.

An improved management strategy for increasing the harvest efficiency of pastures which are continuously stocked is to alter the number of grazing animals in response to the amount of available forage. This is generally described as a "put and take" style of grazing management. Although pastures that are managed using this strategy may be continuously stocked during the period of time in which grazing is allowed, the forage supply is constantly monitored and adjustments to the stocking rate made by increasing or decreasing the number of grazing animals in response to the available forage supply.

As depicted in Figure 10, in the spring of the year, pastures should be stocked with approximately twice[CONTINUOUS STOCKING METHOD] the expected summer stocking rate. As forage growth rates slow in midsummer, the stocking rate should be reduced by at least 50%.

This method is particularly effective if there are haylands available which can be grazed after the first cutting of hay is taken, or when animals of different age classes are grazed together and some of the animals can be sold, placed in feedlots, or in some other manner removed from the pasture.

With the continuous stocking method, there are always some livestock present on a pasture during the time period in which grazing is allowed. As a result, there is very little opportunity to directly control the frequency and intensity of grazing events. Therefore, it must be done indirectly by establishing grazing height guidelines. During the grazing period, the height of the forage should not be allowed to exceed 6 inches nor decrease to less than 3.0 inches.

Another use for the continuous stocking method of grazing is where the prescribed grazing objective is to weaken or eliminate a particular plant or plant community. By over stocking a unit of pasture and grazing with the continuous stocking method, grazing and browsing animals can harvest vegetation with a frequency, intensity, duration, and timing that is not conducive to its continued survival. Once the plant community is weakened or suppressed, the pasture can be overseeded with a more desirable plant species.


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