The health and profitability of grass-based livestock begins with the food they eat. In “Managing Pasture”, author Dale Strickler guides farmers and ranchers through the practical and ideological considerations behind caring for the land as a key part of running a successful grass-based operation, from the profitability of replacing expensive grain feed with nutrient-rich native grasses to the benefits of ecologically-minded land management.
In-depth examinations of the biology and benefits of grazing plants and different grazing strategies accompany detailed plans for paddock and fencing set-ups, livestock watering, and effective methods for dealing with common pasture problems throughout the seasons, from mud to drought. For readers invested in pasture improvement strategies that offer environmental benefits beyond better meat and dairy, including carbon sequestration, erosion prevention, increased pollinator resources and wildlife habitat, and improved water quality, “Managing Pasture” is an approachable, accessible guide to creating and caring for the grassland that feeds animals and future generations.
This in-depth handbook to improving pasture quality and soil health guides farmers seeking to establish sustainable, profitable grass-based livestock operations.
Introduction: The Past & Promise of Pasture
Part 1: Increasing Pasture Production & Profitability
1 What Makes a Pastured Livestock Operation Profitable
2 Why Grazing Plants Behave the Way They Do
3 How Animals Digest & Utilize Forage
4 Improving Pasture Productivity: Minerals, Water & Sunlight
5 Providing Year-Round Grazing
6 Determining a Proper Stocking Rate
7 Grazing Systems & Management
Part 2: Selecting & Managing Pasture Plants
8 Perennial Warm-Season Grasses
9 Perennial Cool-Season Grasses, Legumes & Forbs
10 Annual Forages
11 Silvopastures & Browse Plants
Part 3: Solving Practical Problems of Pasture Management
12 Pasture Fencing
13 Developing Drinking Water
14 Dealing with Too Much or Too Little Water
Part 4: Managing Pasture for Different Livestock Species
15 Beef & Dairy Cattle
16 Sheep & Goats
17 Horses
18 Swing & Poultry
Part 5: Increasing the Ecosystem Services of Pasture
19 Honey Bees & Other Pollinators
20 Wildlife
21 Pastures, Climate, Water & People
Conclusion: Final Words of Pasture Wisdom
Glossary
Metric Conversion Charts
Resources
Index
Pasture Can Be Profitable
Grass-based meat and dairy products are in demand. Consumers are hungry for nutritious, hormone-free meat and milk from pastured livestock, which means that farmers and ranchers can reap the financial rewards of pasture production — with the right approach.
Farmer and rancher Dale Stricker's straightforward methods for profitable pasture management will revolutionize how you see your grasslands, with detailed guidance on fencing and grazing strategies, planting for native grass growth, and more. Beyond financial gains, producers will discover long-term environmental benefits, including improved water quality, carbon sequestration, and habitat for diverse wildlife and pollinators. The end result is a profitable, sustainable grass-based operation that is good for the pasture and the planet. In “Managing Pasture”, Dale Strickler offers plenty of first-hand guidance for both seasoned and novice livestock producers.
