Pasture Rotation Alpacas are first and foremost fiber producing animals. They've been domesticated for thousands of years specifically because of their gorgeous fiber. As in the past, the future value of the breed will continue to be determined by their fiber producing capabilities. Each animal has a genetic potential for producing fiber of a certain quality and color, but the specific fiber production (actual quality and quantity) is directly affected by nutrition, climate, and overall health. One of the easiest and most effective steps that can be taken to improve the economic efficiency and healthy atmosphere of an alpaca farm is to institute a program of rotational grazing. The forage growing in our pastures is the most nutritious and lowest cost feed we can provide our animals. Pasture rotation offers other benefits as well. Proper rotation of animals in the pasture will: - Reduce environmental damage
- Increase forage production
- Reduce undesirable weeds
- Increase the health of the grass
- Reduce parasite load
- Save money
- Increase property values
Allowed free range on too large of a pasture, alpacas will browse their favorite areas while letting others go relatively untouched. The result is that some areas become seriously overgrazed, a situation that actually encourages the establishment of weeds while reducing the production of healthy forage. Overgrazing occurs when more than 50 percent of the grass plant is removed all at once. Overgrazing stops root growth and reduces grass production. Look what happens when you try to sneak in another 10 percent "harvest" - 50 percent of the roots stop growing! | Percent Grass Plant Removed | Percent Root Growth Stopped | | 10% | 0% | | 20% | 0% | | 30% | 0% | | 40% | 0% | | 50% | 2-4% | | 60% | 50% | | 70% | 78% | | 80% | 100% | | 90% | 100% |
Tips for a successful grazing program include: - Subdivide pastures into smaller paddocks and develop a pasture rotation grazing system
- Keep livestock in a "sacrifice area" and feed them hay until your pasture grasses are at least 6 inches high
- Move livestock when 3 inch height remains, and do not re-graze until grasses are a 6 inches high
- Use a high-intensity, short duration grazing system
- Provide a water source for each paddock
- Irrigate each paddock immediately after grazing to get plants growing again. (Do not graze on wet soils)
Remember, pastures in poor condition cause: - Colic and respiratory problems from eating dirt
- Weight loss
- Parasites
- Poor fiber
- Polluted runoff
- Lost wildlife habitat.
For more information about rotational grazing, see: http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/rotategr.html |
