Grazing Systems as Methods of Managing the Range Resources

Abstract

Experience has proven that an effective grazing system is both practical and scientifically sound. An effective grazing system must be tailored to the resource. It must provide for flexibility. There are certain principles which need to be observed. The efficiency of grazing within a pasture is an important factor which can be determined. It denotes the degree of success being obtained by the grazing system and points out where corrective range management is needed. In today's range livestock industry with its notably low rate of net return on investment, efficiency is of prime concern. Ranchers are faced with rising costs of range livestock ranching and the need for increased efficiency in order to stay in the business and meet the rising demand for red meat. They must, therefore, look critically at the remaining big opportunity for increased efficiency-their rangeland. Some ranchers already have recognized and made this essential move. They realize that rangeland producing less than it could increases the cost of operation as compared to rangeland in full production. Reducing cost of operation is a major item for increasing net return on investment.