Is rotational better?

摘要

Talk with successful ranchers like Gene Goven and they often cite rotational grazing as a key ingredient in their operation's success. He sums up the importance of rotational grazing on his North Dakota ranch this way: "We wouldn't be here if we hadn't changed our method of management." In 1982, Goven began cross-fencing his 750 acres of native prairie, which he describes as "thin uplands," to initiate rotational grazing. With continuous grazing, he was able to run an average of 55 cow-calf pairs. Under rotational grazing, he's increased his stocking rate 230% and last year custom-grazed 138 cow-calf pairs during the summer months along with fall grazing an additional 80 pairs. Counting the calves' weight gain alone, Goven says he's averaged a 297%increase in the pounds of beef he's producing per acre.