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Benefits of multi-paddock grazing management on rangelands: Limitations of experimental grazing research and knowledge gaps
Abstract
The benefits of multi-paddock rotational grazing on commercial livestock enterpriseshave been evident for many years in many countries. Despite these observations and theresults of numerous studies of planned grazing deferment before the mid-1980s that showbenefit to species composition, most recent rangelands grazing studies suggest thatrotational grazing benefits neither vegetation nor animal production relative to continuousgrazing. Detailed comparisons of research methods and practical experiences ofsuccessful practitioners of multi-paddock grazing systems identify a number of areas thatexplain why such different perceptions have arisen. Consistent with producer experience,published data from small paddock trials on both temporal and spatial aspects of grazing management indicates the potential for significantly higher production under multipaddockrotational grazing relative to continuous grazing and conservative stocking.While research findings often suggest multi-paddock grazing management is notsuperior to continuous grazing, researchers have not managed trials to answer practicalquestions such as: how good is this management option, where is it successful, and whatdoes it take to make it work as well as possible? In contrast, successful ranchers managestrategically to achieve the best possible profitability and ecosystem health. They usebasic knowledge of plant physiology and ecology generated by research within anadaptive, goal-oriented management approach to successfully implement planned grazingmanagement.Published research and experience from ranchers have indicated that the followingmanagement factors are the keys to achieving desired goals: (1) Planned grazing andfinancial planning to reduce costs, improve work efficiency and enhance profitability andenvironmental goals; (2) Adjusting animal numbers or having a buffer area available sothat animal numbers match forage availability in wet and dry years; (3) Grazing grassesand forbs moderately and for short periods during the growing season to allow adequaterecovery; (4) Timing grazing to mitigate detrimental effects of defoliation at criticalpoints in the life cycle of preferred species inter- and intra-annually; (5) Wheresignificant regrowth is likely, grazing the area again before the forage has matured toomuch; (6) Using fire to smudge patch-grazing imprints and manage livestock distribution;and (7) Using multiple livestock species. In all these areas, management is the key tosuccess.Many researchers have failed to sufficiently account for these management factors,either in their treatment applications or in the evaluation of their results. To define thepotential impact, researchers must quantify the management strategies for best achievingwhole-ranch business and ecosystem results under different grazing management.Conducting research on ranches that have been successfully managed with planned multipaddockgrazing for many years, together with systems-level simulation modeling, offercomplementary approaches to traditional small-paddock field research. These methodsare particularly applicable where logistics preclude field experimentation, or whenassessing impact over decadal time frames. This chapter discusses these points, suggestsareas of research that may explain differences in perception among land managers andresearchers, and provides information to achieve the full potential of planned multipaddockgrazing management.
... On the other hand, using pasture intermittently, through deferred grazing in several plots (multi-paddock), leads to satisfactory productive, ecological, and economic results [144]. Deferred grazing involves grazing the plot in longer or shorter grazing periods depending on the amount of pasture, generally with a high stocking rate [1]. ...
... For this reason, the stocking rate, the rotation of livestock species among the plots, the length of stay in each plot, and the composition and amount of supplements supplied to the animals should be conveniently evaluated [45]. Thus, deferred grazing can minimize the detrimental effects of selective overgrazing in areas preferred by animals [144]. According to Barcella et al. [145], overgrazing can lead to soil degradation and the loss of biodiversity. ...
... Added here are the beneficial effects of maintaining soil fertility and reducing production costs [160]. On the other hand, we must consider that producers are interested in obtaining the best productive results and profitability, maintaining the sustainability of production systems and biodiversity, and requiring the integration of knowledge of the biology of the species and the correct adjustment of management actions [144]. Table A3 (Appendix A) summarizes the works mentioned in Section 4, where one can verify the animal species used in grazing, the evaluated parameters, the grazing, the stocking rate, and the region/country where the study occurred. ...
Montado is an agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystem characteristic of the south of Portugal and called Dehesa in Spain. Its four fundamental components—soil, pasture, trees, and animals—as well as the climate make Montado a highly complex ecosystem. This review article provides an overview of the state of the art of Montado from the point of view of the agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystem and the scientific work carried out in this context. Thus, the aim is: (i) to describe and characterize the Montado ecosystem, as an agro-silvo-pastoral system; (ii) to reveal experimental tests carried out, technologies used or with the potential to be used in the monitoring of Montado; (iii) to address other technologies, carried out in similar and different agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystems from south Portugal. This review consists of three chapters: (a) components of Montado and their interactions; (b) advanced technologies for monitoring Montado; (c) grazing systems. No review article is known to provide an overview of Montado. Thus, it is essential to carry out research on grazing and its effects on the soil and pasture in the Montado ecosystem.
... This rotational grazing strategy incorporate small paddocks that are grazed with high animal density and rotated frequently amongst larger sections of the overall landscape. This strategy facilitates longer rest periods and increased competition amongst grazing ruminants (Teague et al., 2008). This has been found to lower the duration of grazing per unit of land area and reduce grazing selectivity and the spatial heterogeneity of grazing pressure (Teague et al., 2008;Teague and Dowhower, 2003). ...
... This strategy facilitates longer rest periods and increased competition amongst grazing ruminants (Teague et al., 2008). This has been found to lower the duration of grazing per unit of land area and reduce grazing selectivity and the spatial heterogeneity of grazing pressure (Teague et al., 2008;Teague and Dowhower, 2003). Briefly described, temporary electrical fencing was erected to establish 1-acre sized grazing paddocks, where ~ 250 ewes were grazed for 1-2 days within each paddock before rotating to the next temporary paddock. ...
The strategic use of ruminant grazing in perennial cropland is steadily increasing throughout Mediterranean perennial agroecosystems. Integrated sheep-vineyard (ISV) management, where small ruminant livestock graze on understory vegetation, is viewed by some practitioners as a feasible transition opportunity to facilitate less petrochemically intensive vineyard understory management. However, our knowledge of soil carbon dynamics associated with grazing in perennial integrated crop-livestock (ICL) agroecosystems is notably limited, especially within Mediterranean climate contexts. Here, we use a series of on-farm paired surveys to assess soil ecosystem habitat and resource conditions related to SOC flux and storage in vineyards utilizing sheep-integration (ISV) and conventional understory management techniques (CONV). Our results show that long-term grazing increased the quantity of active, labile, and soluble carbon (C) within ISV soils, with much higher quantities of microbial biomass carbon (MBC). Vineyard soils with sheep grazing also showed increases in phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) biomarkers, particularly amongst core functional groups related to decomposition. Soil microbial communities under ISV had higher C mineralization rates as well as higher carbon use-efficiency, as indicated by less CO2-C respired relative to the size of the MBC pool. Whereas inorganic soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) were also higher under ISV, microbial communities showed distinct metabolic investment strategies related to nutrient acquisition, with lower P-cycling enzyme activity and higher N-cycling enzyme activity. Additionally, ISV resulted in an increase in subsoil SOC storage, including higher quantities of physicochemical stabilization in the mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC) pool of the deepest measured subsoil layer (30–45 cm). We observed no differences in soil structure indicators between treatments nor differences in the carbon fractions associated with four distinct aggregate size categories. We propose a framework to explain observed shifts in SOC dynamics of perennial ICL systems that include i) deposition of C and nutrient inputs with higher lability and solubility; ii) ruminant-induced decoupling of C from N and P, resulting in increased nutrient bioavailability; and iii) altered soil microbial metabolic strategies with more efficient biomass accumulation. These findings show strong potential of strategically applied ICL grazing to enhance soil functioning and increase SOC storage in Mediterranean perennial agroecosystems.
... As a reference, the estimated force applied by sheep hoofs to the soil surface (static pressure) is approximately 80 kPa [12,13], similar to those of tractor wheels [14]. Several studies have assessed the impact of different grazing systems, more intensive or less intensive, on the productivity, quality, and floristic composition of pasture [5,6,11,[15][16][17]. Nevertheless, the impact of sheep trampling on soil compaction, associated with different grazing systems, is a little-studied process and could become an important tendency indicator of sustainability, which will tend to be considered in future Common Agricultural Policy (PAC) decisions. ...
... It is known that increased stocking rates have negative effects on soil properties and are positively correlated with animal trampling [15]. Donkor et al. [24] suggested that DG systems have associated greater CI than CG systems. ...
Deferred grazing (DG) consists in adapting the number of animals and the number of days grazed to the availability of pasture. Compared to continuous grazing (CG), which is based on a permanent and low stocking rate, DG is a management strategy that aims at optimizing the use of the resources available in the Mediterranean Montado ecosystem. This study with sheep grazing, carried out between 2019 and 2021 on a 4 ha pasture in Alentejo region of the Southern of Portugal, assesses the impact of these two grazing management systems on soil compaction as a result of animal trampling. This area of native natural grassland (a dryland pasture, mixture of grasses, legumes, and composite species) was divided into four grazing parks of 1 ha each, two under DG management and two under CG management. At the end of the study, the cone index (CI, in kPa) was measured in the topsoil layer (0–30 cm) with an electronic cone penetrometer at 48 georeferenced areas (12 in each park). The results of CI measurement showed no significant differences between treatments in all depths measured (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm). These findings are encouraging from the point of view of soil conservation and sustainability, revealing good prospects for the intensification of extensive livestock production. Future work should evaluate the long-term impact and consider, at the same time, other ecosystem services and system productivity indicators.
... ), improves water infiltration and soil health, increases plant biodiversity and productivity, and boosts overall carrying capacity (e.g.,Savory 1983;Fuhlendorf and Engle 2001;Hoffman 2003;Teague et al. 2008; Cingolani et al. 2014;Savory and Butterfield 2016;Gordon et al. 2021). However, numerous reviews and meta-analyses find little empirical support for these claimed benefits(Pieper and Heitschmidt 1988;Holechek et al. 1999;Nordborg 2016;di Virgilio et al. 2019;Hawkins and Cramer 2022). ...
Grassy ecosystems are essential for human survival, providing key services including food production, water provisioning and moderating climate. Yet, grassy ecosystems remain undervalued due to misconceptions that they are remnants of degraded states of forest – a view that continues to influence climate change policies. This thesis explores the links between wild, free-roaming ungulate grazers and climate drivers, including carbon storage and surface albedo (i.e., reflectance of solar radiation), through their impacts on vegetation and soils. Using black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou) as a model wild species, I compared their grazing patterns in an Afromontane grassland in the eastern Karoo, South Africa, to those of short-duration cattle grazing systems in similar nearby grasslands (Chapter 2). While short-duration grazing aims to mimic spatiotemporal wild ungulate grazing patterns to supposedly enhance ecosystem functioning and soil carbon stocks, I found that wildebeest had ~50% shorter grazing durations and much shorter rest intervals (1-5 days versus 60-365 days), revealing key differences in grazing patterns that may affect vegetation and climate feedbacks. Next, I examined spatial variations in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks between grass growth forms that differ in grazing tolerance (Chapter 3). Red grass (Themeda triandra) tussock patches, sensitive to frequent grazing, had higher SOC to a soil depth of 20 cm (61.45 ± 1.59 Mg C·ha-1) than intensively grazed, prostrate-growing Cynodon dactylon grazing lawns (55.43 ± 3.40 Mg C·ha-1), likely due to greater shading and soil moisture beneath tussocks which drives microbial decomposition. Seasonal albedo variations were then assessed across distinct grassland patch types among seasons to determine whether albedo varies seasonally at fine patch-scales between grass patches, between shrub and grass patches, and with grazing (Chapter 4). Albedo was lower during the growing season compared to dormancy, and was consistently lower in dwarf shrub (Pentzia incana) encroached patches compared to grass patches. No albedo differences between grazed and less-grazed tussock grass patches of the same species were found, although intensively grazed grazing lawns had consistently higher albedo than most patch types. Finally, I evaluated trade-offs between plant carbon, albedo, and their impacts on radiative forcing (i.e., atmospheric warming/cooling) resulting from patch type changes commonly found in grassy ecosystems (Chapter 5). The loss of perennial grass cover resulted in the highest net positive (warming) effect, mostly due to reduced root biomass. Additionally, shrub encroachment into all patches lowered albedo, but led to negative (cooling) effects from shrub encroachment into bare ground patches due to biomass gains. This thesis challenges current views of grassy landscapes and short-duration grazing systems, emphasizing the need to rethink climate change mitigation strategies to prioritize maintaining heterogeneity, while enhancing carbon sequestration and albedo in grassy ecosystems.
... burning) from early autumn to early spring. Strategies such as intermittent high stocking grazing rates (Teague et al. 2009), which force grazing on regenerating shoots of standing individuals of N. trichotoma, combined with the known fact that established adult plants of this species are poor competitors compared to palatable, faster growing grasses (Badgery et al. 2008), may reduce their competitiveness, and persistence in pasturelands. ...
Fluctuations in the chemical composition of invasive species can identify windows where grazing implementation can be maximised for improved weed management. Our goal was to determine the chemical composition of Nassella trichotoma (Nees) Hack. ex Arechav., an aggressive invasive grass species, after being subjected to either high or low defoliation across a defoliation intensity gradient and leaves were harvested over the growing season. All samples were analysed for protein content (PC) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) content. PC was generally higher, and NDF and ADF were higher in defoliated compared with undefoliated plants. An induced anti-herbivore defence may explain the increase in fibre content in response to defoliation, which would accentuate the low nutritional quality of N. trichotoma and, thus, its avoidance by cattle. Therefore, efforts should focus on preventing N. trichotoma leaf tissues from losing nutritional quality by integrating control measures, such as grazing regrowing shoots after disturbances that cause severe defolia-tion (e.g. burning) from early autumn to early spring. This approach could effectively reduce N. trichotoma competitiveness, preventing its persistence and spread.
... In this sense, stocking methods with high stocking rates are often identified as responsible for the degradation of soil, pasture, and trees in the Montado ecosystem. Animal trampling due to high stocking rates is correlated with negative effects on soil properties [16]. However, in our case, there were no significant differences between the two stocking methods tested (CS and DS), which encourages producers in the Montado ecosystem to intensify sheep production, with a greater number of animals per hectare, in DS (grazing periods depending on pasture height). ...
The objective of this study was to determine how application of dolomitic limestone and stocking methods (continuous stocking or deferred stocking) affect the soil compaction, sheep grazing location, height, and nutritional value of pastures when the pasture growth rate is at its maximum. A 4 ha field at Mitra farm—University of Évora—was divided into four plots: P1 and P2—without application of dolomitic limestone, continuous stocking (CS), and deferred stocking (DS), respectively—and P3 and P4—with application of dolomitic limestone, DS (2.3 AUE), and CS (1 AUE), respectively. In DS, animals were placed and removed from the plots depending on the height of the pasture (entry ≥ 10 cm; removal ≤ 5 cm). Throughout the pasture’s vegetative cycle, several measurements of pasture height and cut were carried out. From the beginning of March to the beginning of June, animal behavior was observed (animals’ activity grazing and location) by trained observers through binoculars on six dates. The results show the following: (i) the application of dolomitic limestone combined with CS provided higher values of pasture height; (ii) there were no significant differences in pasture quality between treatments; (iii) DS led to 50% more sheep grazing days that CS; (iv) there were no significant differences in soil compaction between CS and DS; and (v) the stocking methods and the application of dolomitic limestone did not seem to change the grazing pattern between treatments. This study constitutes a basis to support more informed decisions by agricultural managers and may also contribute to maintaining balance in the Montado ecosystem, as well as increasing the efficiency of livestock production systems based on rainfed pastures.
... However, the root system is severely weakened if the animals are left in the field for more than 3 days since they usually return and graze the newly emerging vegetation. Rotational grazing is favoured over continuous grazing to raise SOC and reduce soil compaction, thus improving soil health (Teague et al. 2008;Byrnes et al. 2018). It has been demonstrated that light to moderate grazing greatly improves soil structure and SOC over excessive grazing (Conant et al. 2001;Follett et al. 2020). ...
... Les nombreux travaux sur les effets du pâturage, du surpâturage ainsi que des actions d'aménagement, ont fourni des résultats variés et parfois contradictoires mais montrent surtout l'extrême complexité des processus fonctionnels impliqués. Les analyses, en particulier dans les parcours arides, des effets des différents modes de gestion demeurent insuffisantes ou controversées (Bigger & Marvier, 1998 ;Holechek et al., 2006 ;Briske et al., 2008Briske et al., , 2011Teague et al., 2008 ;Hanke et al., 2014). Ces auteurs reprochent aux nombreux travaux sur l'efficacité des modes de pâturage de n'avoir pas considéré les effets sur l'ensemble des attributs fondamentaux de l'écosystème, ce qui rend discutable la généralisation des résultats. ...
Assessment of the effects of the control of grazing system in grazed arid steppic rangelands in Algeria.-Facing the degradation that the steppe in Algeria suffered, the grazing system using deferred grazing, introduced recently, is an effective means to control and manage the grazed ecosystems of steppic rangelands. Three sites have been studied to assess in each of them, the effects of the managed grazing on ecosystem in comparison to the free grazed ones. The composition and plant species diversity, surface soil conditions and forage quality in controlled areas, showed improvement compared with the freely grazed land. In the present work and usually regarding similar assessment tasks, conditions and sampling design are dictated by a request made much later after the grazing management setup. The need of such a management in the arid rangelands and the sampling method are discussed. RÉSUMÉ.-Face à la dégradation dont souffre la steppe en Algérie, la mise en repos, introduite récemment, représente un moyen efficace de contrôle et de gestion des écosystèmes pâturés des parcours steppiques arides de cette région. Trois sites ont été étudiés en vue d'évaluer dans chacun d'eux les effets de l'exclusion du pâturage suivie d'une gestion en pâturage contrôlé par rapport à un usage libre. La composition et la diversité floristique de la végétation, l'état de surface du sol et la qualité fourragère des espaces contrôlés, montrent une amélioration par rapport aux terrains pâturés librement. La nécessité d'un tel aménagement dans les parcours steppiques arides ainsi que la méthode d'échantillonnage dans ce genre d'évaluation sont discutées.
... Bir diğer popüler rejeneratif tarım uygulaması ise, hayvancılığın metan emisyonlarına katkıda bulunmakla yaygın olarak suçlanmasına rağmen, toprak sağlığını iyileştirmek ve gelir akışını çeşitlendirmek için hayvancılığı entegre etmektir(Seó, H. L., Machado Filho, L. C., & Brugnara, D., 2017). Toprak organik karbonunu arttırmak ve toprak sağlığını iyileştirmek için sürekli otlatma yerine dönüşümlü otlatma tercih edilir(Díaz-Solís 2009;Teague 2008; ...
Scientific studies are one of the most important success criteria of countries, and its most distinctive and distinguishing feature from all other branches is that it presents its findings with concrete evidence and in this context it has become one of the most reliable branches. At the same time, science, with its many sub-branches, helps us to better understand events, to provide people with better living conditions, to find unknown facts and ultimately to better understand the created universe. Biodiversity is a very important field for the existence of humankind and it is one of the branches that have been the subject of much scientific study in recent years. In this book, experts and well-known scientists on "Biodiversity, Agriculture and Food" have shared their thoughts on the axis of biodiversity, agriculture and food to ensure a sustainable future in Türkiye. TÜBA-Environmental Biodiversity and Climate Change Working Group and Food and Nutrition Working Group have tried to contribute to the creation of a common road map for Türkiye on the axis of "Biodiversity, Agriculture and Food" with the mission of succeeding together in producing common solutions. This work is a useful study on biodiversity, agriculture and food in the name of science.
... Another popular RA practice is to integrate livestock to improve soil health and diversify the income stream, despite the fact that livestock farming is widely blamed for contributing to methane emissions [134]. To increase SOC and improve soil health, rotational grazing is preferred over continuous grazing [135][136][137][138]. Anecdotal evidence suggests that rotational grazing may increase SOC in some grasslands, particularly in drier and warmer climates. ...
Conventional farming practices can lead to soil degradation and a decline in productivity. Regenerative agriculture (RA) is purported by advocates as a solution to these issues that focuses on soil health and carbon sequestration. The fundamental principles of RA are to keep the soil covered, minimise soil disturbance, preserve living roots in the soil year round, increase species diversity, integrate livestock, and limit or eliminate the use of synthetic compounds (such as herbicides and fertilisers). The overall objectives are to rejuvenate the soil and land and provide environmental, economic, and social benefits to the wider community. Despite the purported benefits of RA, a vast majority of growers are reluctant to adopt these practices due to a lack of empirical evidence on the claimed benefits and profitability. We examined the reported benefits and mechanisms associated with RA against available scientific data. The literature suggests that agricultural practices such as minimum tillage, residue retention, and cover cropping can improve soil carbon, crop yield, and soil health in certain climatic zones and soil types. Excessive use of synthetic chemicals can lead to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. Combining livestock with cropping and agroforestry in the same landscape can increase soil carbon and provide several co-benefits. However, the benefits of RA practices can vary among different agroecosystems and may not necessarily be applicable across multiple agroecological regions. Our recommendation is to implement rigorous long-term farming system trials to compare conventional and RA practices in order to build knowledge on the benefits and mechanisms associated with RA on regional scales. This will provide growers and policy-makers with an evidence base from which to make informed decisions about adopting RA practices to realise their social and economic benefits and achieve resilience against climate change.
