Organise your grazing to maximise productivity and reduce costs

Organise your grazing system to improve productivity, make the most of the grass, optimise animal performance and reduce labour time. A well-planned grazing rotation reduces unforeseen issues, enables better resource management and cuts costs. Define paddocks of 1 to 1.5 ares per livestock unit (LU), and allow for a rest period of 25 to 30 days in spring and 40 to 50 days in summer. Ensure the paddocks are uniform in size, use square shapes, separate areas according to vegetation type, and provide clear entry and exit points. Designed for herds, the network of paths must be suited to its intended use, with a width of 4 to 5 m at the exit from the building and 1.5 to 2 m at the end of the network. Opt for concrete or tarmac for high-traffic areas. Install a water supply system with one water point per paddock, ideally situated away from the entrance, sized to provide a flow rate of 2.5 litres per minute per livestock unit (LU), with a reserve of 5 to 7 litres per LU. For fencing, use thick-gauge wire for permanent fencing and fine or electroplastic wire for movable fencing. Ensure you have a powerful electric fence energiser (3000 V) and sturdy corner posts, and take into account the jumping ability of small ruminants when determining the height of the fence.