Grazing 101: Sustainable Pasture Management for Livestock
- Skill Level
- Beginner Intermediate
- Length Content Access
- 365
- Sections
- 7
- Length
- 12 hours
- Language
- English
- Note
- This course offers a certificate of completion.
Pastures can exist in places where other crops cannot; therefore, they can add value to otherwise unproductive land. It can be daunting to think about where to begin as no two plots of land are exactly alike. As you choose a grazing system that will be a good fit for you and your livestock, you will want to consider your personal goals, time commitment, and available resources.
Forage quality is the basis of animal health in a grazing system and is impacted by plant development and the timing of grazing. We'll discuss the practical aspects of designing your pasture system, such as the number of animals, paddock size, and fencing type. You'll learn about various types of grazing systems (rotational grazing, strip grazing, high density grazing) and the benefits and challenges of each. You'll be introduced to the costs associated with grazing and identify opportunities for additional grazing-based income.
In this self-paced course, you will use a combination of readings, educational videos, and handouts to learn the basics of raising livestock on pasture. Readings will be your primary source of information, along with supplemental videos and knowledge check questions. This course will provide you with a practical, research-based foundation on which to build a successful grazing enterprise.
This course has seven sections. At the end of each section, there is a short quiz. You will need to score 80% or better on these quizzes to earn a certificate of completion.
New and beginning grazing managers who want to start raising, or continue to raise beef cattle, sheep, or meat goats on pasture.
You will learn how to:
- determine the appropriate type of grazing management for your operation
- outline the costs associated with each grazing system
- develop a grazing system, including soils, forages, infrastructure, budgets, and livestock and grazing aspects
- raise livestock on pasture
- build a successful grazing enterprise
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Certificates are available for some courses, but not all courses. When applicable, certificates are issued upon successful course completion with a passing grade. The definition of a passing grade varies from course to course.
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