Management-intensive grazing (MIG) rotates high density livestock through pastures for shorts periods of time offering them highest quality forage. Grazed paddocks are allowed enough resting time for a vigorous re-growth.
Several studies suggest that MIG presents a great opportunity to livestock producers. However, achieving the best management requires
knowledge, observation and patience. It can take a year for farmers to learn the basics of the transition to MIG. But it’s generally at the three-year mark that the most significant improvements in animal
performance, forage yield, quality and composition are revealed.
With pastures subdivided using a portable electric fence, animals rotate grazing fresh mature forage at 6”- 8” high, leaving 2”-4” of residual forage. After being grazed, animals move to a new paddock allowing pastures rest and recovery for several days before being occupied again.
Laneways are not recommended places for water tanks. Shade –natural or artificial– provides shelter which eases stress. Drinking water using a portable water tank connected to an inexpensive pipeline, must be brought to the paddocks where animals are grazing because walking long distances to water sources may negatively reflect on their productivity.
knowledge, observation and patience. It can take a year for farmers to learn the basics of the transition to MIG. But it’s generally at the three-year mark that the most significant improvements in animal
performance, forage yield, quality and composition are revealed.
With pastures subdivided using a portable electric fence, animals rotate grazing fresh mature forage at 6”- 8” high, leaving 2”-4” of residual forage. After being grazed, animals move to a new paddock allowing pastures rest and recovery for several days before being occupied again.
Laneways are not recommended places for water tanks. Shade –natural or artificial– provides shelter which eases stress. Drinking water using a portable water tank connected to an inexpensive pipeline, must be brought to the paddocks where animals are grazing because walking long distances to water sources may negatively reflect on their productivity.
FUNDAMENTAL MIG PRINCIPLES*
REST
Recovery periods between grazing's must be long enough to restore optimum pasture height..
OCCUPATION
Animal occupation in each pasture must be short enough so that the re-growth forage is not re-grazed.
REGULAR REQUIREMENTS
Animals with higher nutritional requirements (e.g.: milking cows) need the greatest amount of high
quality forage.
REGULAR YIELDS
Animals that produce regular yields must not stay longer than three days on the same pasture.
*: Established by Andre Voisin
Economic considerations
Several studies comparing continuous grazing and confinement vs. MIG, found the latter to be more profitable per animal, per cwt, per acre and per farm while decreasing costs. Studies mostly show that farms that use this approach have lower feed, installation and veterinary costs and, better use of the pasture resource. More pasture subdivisions enhance ecological benefits improving production but can
suggest higher costs and labor.
Environmental considerations
MIG enable farms to reduce costly fertilizer applications as animals in high stock density are able to provide most of the nutrients through manure and urine, improving soil structure and quality by directly placing great amounts of manure and urine on the land. Each adult cow can deposit over 200 lbs of nitrogen and over
100 lbs of phosphorus, potassium and calcium per year, ensuring enough fertility for plants to re-grow. Well covered soils and no overgrazing means less erosion,
which also helps improve water quality.
Several studies comparing continuous grazing and confinement vs. MIG, found the latter to be more profitable per animal, per cwt, per acre and per farm while decreasing costs. Studies mostly show that farms that use this approach have lower feed, installation and veterinary costs and, better use of the pasture resource. More pasture subdivisions enhance ecological benefits improving production but can
suggest higher costs and labor.
Environmental considerations
MIG enable farms to reduce costly fertilizer applications as animals in high stock density are able to provide most of the nutrients through manure and urine, improving soil structure and quality by directly placing great amounts of manure and urine on the land. Each adult cow can deposit over 200 lbs of nitrogen and over
100 lbs of phosphorus, potassium and calcium per year, ensuring enough fertility for plants to re-grow. Well covered soils and no overgrazing means less erosion,
which also helps improve water quality.