The words ‘rotational grazing’ are often met with a look of disinterest and a reply of: ‘Not for me’. However, rotational grazing does not have to be complicated and we must recognise the benefits of adapting some version of rotational grazing on our farms.
Key benefits
Extended grazing season: Closing off paddocks in a rotation in the backend of the year ensures an early bite of spring grass. According to AHDB Beef and Lamb, it costs twice as much to feed animals conserved forage when compared with grazed grass, while feeding concentrate is four times more expensive. Therefore, every extra day spent at pasture is a saving for farmers.Increased forage production: With set stocking, animals will select the sweetest grass to graze while letting other grass plants go to seed and become unproductive. Continually nipping off the sweetest grass every few days stresses the plant and reduces both its root mass and energy reserves. By rotational grazing we allow the sward time to fully recover, minimising stress on the plant and increasing overall production.
Increased utilisation: A well-managed rotational grazing system prevents grass getting ahead of animals by getting stemmy or going to seed, and therefore animals are able to graze all grass within the paddock all the time.Handling livestock: While it might seem a small point, with rotationally-grazed animals being moved a few times per week, they become more used to human contact. This makes routine handling tasks much easier and safer for man and beast. It also provides a good opportunity to herd animals and identify any sickness at an early stage. A system that works for you
Planned grazing does not have to be complicated. There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to a paddock system. Adapt the system to suit your farm. Our six focus farms are all adopting some form of rotational grazing this year.
Duffus’ farm: Firstly, if there are sufficient animals in a group to match demand on a field-by-field basis, why even split fields up? At Tomintoul, Andy Duffus has selected three evenly-sized fields beside each other and will rotate a group of cattle through them. This makes grazing planning much simpler.MacKay’s farm: In Caithness, Mark MacKay has identified two fields that sit next to each other. The first field is 3.7ha and the second is 6.26ha. Simply by halving the larger field, Mark will have three paddocks that will carry 30 cows and calves for the summer. The only alterations required are to install a temporary electric fence across the larger field and run a length of pipe to a second water trough. There is also the option to furthur divide these paddocks using temporary stakes and wire during the main grazing season.
Duguid’s farm: At North Cranna, the Duguids have opted to divide a 7ha field on the hill with a four-strand polywire acting as a spine through the middle of the field and temporary electric fencing is used to split the field into four – with the option for furthur divisions, if necessary, during the main grass growing season. To provide flexibility, water will be supplied from a mobile bowser with a trough fitted to it. 
Websters’ farm: At Ardhuncart, Charles and Alison plan to rotationally graze 180 ewes, plus their lambs, through two adjoining fields split into five similar-sized paddocks of about 2.2ha. Water will again be supplied by a mobile bowser.
The focus farms will also be measuring grass growth and availability to help make management decisions throughout the season. This is the first time for most of the farms to dip their toe in the water with rotational grazing. Mistakes will be made along the way, but once they see the benefits of a paddock system we are confident they will be keen to increase the number of paddocks on farm in the years ahead.
The words ‘rotational grazing’ are often met with a look of disinterest and a reply of: ‘Not for me’. However, rotational grazing does not have to be complicated and we must recognise the benefits of adapting some version of rotational grazing on our farms.
Key benefits
Extended grazing season: Closing off paddocks in a rotation in the backend of the year ensures an early bite of spring grass. According to AHDB Beef and Lamb, it costs twice as much to feed animals conserved forage when compared with grazed grass, while feeding concentrate is four times more expensive. Therefore, every extra day spent at pasture is a saving for farmers.Increased forage production: With set stocking, animals will select the sweetest grass to graze while letting other grass plants go to seed and become unproductive. Continually nipping off the sweetest grass every few days stresses the plant and reduces both its root mass and energy reserves. By rotational grazing we allow the sward time to fully recover, minimising stress on the plant and increasing overall production. Increased utilisation: A well-managed rotational grazing system prevents grass getting ahead of animals by getting stemmy or going to seed, and therefore animals are able to graze all grass within the paddock all the time.Handling livestock: While it might seem a small point, with rotationally-grazed animals being moved a few times per week, they become more used to human contact. This makes routine handling tasks much easier and safer for man and beast. It also provides a good opportunity to herd animals and identify any sickness at an early stage. A system that works for you
Planned grazing does not have to be complicated. There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to a paddock system. Adapt the system to suit your farm. Our six focus farms are all adopting some form of rotational grazing this year.
Duffus’ farm: Firstly, if there are sufficient animals in a group to match demand on a field-by-field basis, why even split fields up? At Tomintoul, Andy Duffus has selected three evenly-sized fields beside each other and will rotate a group of cattle through them. This makes grazing planning much simpler.MacKay’s farm: In Caithness, Mark MacKay has identified two fields that sit next to each other. The first field is 3.7ha and the second is 6.26ha. Simply by halving the larger field, Mark will have three paddocks that will carry 30 cows and calves for the summer. The only alterations required are to install a temporary electric fence across the larger field and run a length of pipe to a second water trough. There is also the option to furthur divide these paddocks using temporary stakes and wire during the main grazing season.
Duguid’s farm: At North Cranna, the Duguids have opted to divide a 7ha field on the hill with a four-strand polywire acting as a spine through the middle of the field and temporary electric fencing is used to split the field into four – with the option for furthur divisions, if necessary, during the main grass growing season. To provide flexibility, water will be supplied from a mobile bowser with a trough fitted to it.
Websters’ farm: At Ardhuncart, Charles and Alison plan to rotationally graze 180 ewes, plus their lambs, through two adjoining fields split into five similar-sized paddocks of about 2.2ha. Water will again be supplied by a mobile bowser.
The focus farms will also be measuring grass growth and availability to help make management decisions throughout the season. This is the first time for most of the farms to dip their toe in the water with rotational grazing. Mistakes will be made along the way, but once they see the benefits of a paddock system we are confident they will be keen to increase the number of paddocks on farm in the years ahead.
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