Adaptive multi-paddock grazing: Teague’s 2011 study
Adaptive grazing organises animal movement around vegetation and land conditions. W. Richard Teague and colleagues examined its relationship with soil and plants in 2011.
Comparing Texas ranches
Neighbouring ranches in three northern Texas areas had at least nine years of multi-paddock grazing, lower-stocked continuous grazing or higher-stocked continuous grazing. Ungrazed areas were also assessed at two locations.
Recovery before return
Multi-paddock management used light to moderate grazing followed by about 40 days’ recovery during fast growth and 80 during slow growth. These periods describe that implementation.
Recorded differences
Multi-paddock grazing was associated with higher organic matter than both continuous systems, a greater fungal:bacterial ratio, and less bare ground and greater aggregate stability than heavy continuous grazing.
Infiltration rates did not differ; heavy continuous grazing had greater sediment loss. This long-term comparison of real ranches highlights associations between adaptive management, vegetation and soil functions.
Our field work
We aim to examine grazing with olive grove and other crop cover, following recovery, coverage and microbiology in accordance with our School training.