Grazing

Grazing is a method of feeding in which a herbivore feeds on plants such as grasses, or other multicellular organisms such as algae. In agriculture, grazing is one method used whereby domestic livestock are used to convert grass and other forage into meat, milk and other products.

Types of Grazing

There are two types of grazing: Selective Grazing and Non-selective Grazing.

Selective Grazing is when the animal selectively feeds on certain plant species or plant parts. This can lead to overgrazing of preferred plant species and undergrazing of less preferred plant species.

Non-selective Grazing is when the animal feeds on all plant species and plant parts equally. This can lead to a more balanced ecosystem as all plant species are grazed equally.

Effects of Grazing

Grazing can have both positive and negative effects on the ecosystem.

Positive effects include:

• Biodiversity - Grazing can increase biodiversity by preventing a single species from dominating the landscape.
• Soil Health - Grazing can improve soil health by recycling nutrients and increasing soil organic matter.

Negative effects include:

• Overgrazing - Overgrazing can lead to soil erosion and degradation of the land.
• Habitat Destruction - Grazing can lead to habitat destruction if not managed properly.

Grazing Management

Proper Grazing Management is essential to ensure the sustainability of the grazing system. This includes:

• Rotational Grazing - This involves moving the livestock between pastures to allow for rest and recovery of the grazed pasture.
• Supplemental Feeding - This involves providing additional feed to the livestock during periods of low forage availability.

See Also

• Pasture
• Livestock
• Agriculture
• Sustainable Agriculture

Grazing Resources
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