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Contribution to Book
Incorporating Targeted Grazing into Farming Systems
Targeted Grazing: A Natural Approach to Vegetation Management and Landscape Enhancement (2006)
  • Andrew W. Lenssen, United States Department of Agriculture
  • Patrick Hatfield
  • Hayes Goosey
  • Sue Blodgett
Abstract
When incorporating targeted grazing into farming systems, livestock producers and farm operators need assurance that the benefits from their activities are worth their investments. This chapter will focus on how integrating grazing, particularly with sheep and goats, into farming systems can offer those benefits. The concepts are not new. Cropping systems were once integrated with livestock production: Livestock gained forage value from crop aftermath, crops were grown to sustain livestock, and livestock were used as implements to produce crops. Today, few cropping systems include livestock. Sheep and goats are traditionally produced on rangelands or pasture forages and supplemented during winter with harvested feeds. In recent years, sheep and goat producers have made great strides using commercial-scale grazing to control unwanted vegetation like noxious weeds and excess fire fuels. Incorporating grazing into hay and dryland grain production to control weeds and insects has received far less attention. However, such practices not only may increase yield, they can reduce costs, offer new business opportunities, and improve public perception of production agriculture.
Keywords
  • Cropping systems,
  • grazing,
  • crop residue,
  • organic carbon levels,
  • pest control,
  • forage
Publication Date
2006
Editor
Karen Launchbaugh
Publisher
American Sheep Industry Association
Publisher Statement
Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.
Citation Information
Andrew W. Lenssen, Patrick Hatfield, Hayes Goosey and Sue Blodgett. "Incorporating Targeted Grazing into Farming Systems" Englewood, COTargeted Grazing: A Natural Approach to Vegetation Management and Landscape Enhancement Vol. ch. 14 (2006)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/andrew_lenssen/73/