Cool-Season Grazing for Small Ruminants

Figure 1. Cool-season forages (legume-grass mix) ready for grazing.

Cool-season grazing works well for small ruminants (goats and sheep) in silvopastures and open-pastures (no-tree production) when suitable forages are planted and grown forages are managed well. Few tips are below for sustainably using the whole production systems.

1. Grazing should begin when forages complete most of their vegetative growth, but prior to the reproductive growth, which is basically flowering and seeding (Figure 1). Follow the recommended grazing height for the type of forages in your pastures. Such information is available in the grazing handbook (https://www.tuskegee.edu/Content/Uploads/Tuskegee/files/CAENS/TUCEP/Livestock%20program/Year-RoundPasture_Handbook(1).pdf) or Alabama Grazing Stick.

2. Practice rotational grazing system: It requires developing 4 to 8 paddocks out of the whole pastures. Stock the entire herd or flock of animals in one paddock at a time and move animals to the next paddock once 40-50% of forage leaf volume is eaten. This is important to allow enough photosynthesis in the left-over portion of forages to support the vigorous regrowth for the next rotation. Rotational grazing system is better than the continuous grazing system in open-pastures (Figure 2) and required in silvopastures (Figure 3). 

Figure 2. Goats on cool-season pastures (legume-grass mix). 

3. Target stubble height (the height of the leftover forages after grazing) for small ruminants to 4-5 inches above the ground surface. This is important to minimize the chance of eating gastrointestinal parasite, including barberpole worm - the number one killer of small ruminants in the Southeast, larvae by animals. The parasite larvae usually reside within 2-3 inches from the ground. If the recommended stubble height is higher than 4-5 inches, then go with the former.

4. Once the first rotational grazing is over in all paddock, repeat the rotational sequence among the paddocks to supply required nutrition to animals throughout the season.

5. Make sure to provide loose minerals recommended for the species of animal (goat minerals for goats and sheep minerals for sheep), clean drinking water, and shelters at all times.

6. Good fence to contain animals in the desired paddock and provision of guardian animals to safeguard animals from predator attack are necessary.

Figure 3. A flock of sheep enjoying the cool-season forages
grown in pine silvopature.

7. It is always essential to keep a close eye on your animals and facilities. Checking their FAMACHA (anemic condition cause by barberpole worm), body condition, live weight, hair coat, and other physical indicators of health every week or every other week is important to provide needed care and management on time and minimize the potential loss.

8. Plan to sell animals that you do not need for breeding when the desired live weight and condition are achieved, and sale price is satisfactory. This way you can feed and care for the remaining animals well.