{"id":972,"date":"2023-03-01T07:00:38","date_gmt":"2023-03-01T07:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/agrilife.org\/westtexasrangelands\/?p=972"},"modified":"2023-03-10T19:43:45","modified_gmt":"2023-03-10T19:43:45","slug":"targeted-grazing-with-goats-and-sheep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/agrilife.org\/westtexasrangelands\/targeted-grazing-with-goats-and-sheep\/","title":{"rendered":"Targeted Grazing with Goats and Sheep"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before producers can consider adding additional species to their operations, forage production and carrying capacity must be determined. This is crucial and the foundation of any operation.\u00a0 More information on determining stocking rate and carry capacity can be found in this AgriLife Extension Publication \u2013 Stocking Rate: The Key Grazing Management Decision<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

What is Targeted Grazing?<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Targeted grazing is defined as the application of livestock grazing to achieve specific management goals. While many have heard of traditional grazing management, targeted grazing management is used as a long-term approach to address land management problems.<\/p>\n

For targeted grazing to be successful it requires:<\/p>\n

Determining the goals and desired outcomes of each management area<\/p>\n

Identifying the vegetative species of concern within the area<\/p>\n

Tailoring the livestock species composition and stocking intensity to achieve those goals<\/p>\n

\"picture<\/a><\/p>\n

Why use Goats and Sheep in Targeted Grazing Operations?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Goats are often chosen for targeted grazing operations due to their browsing habits, which make them effective at removing undesirable and unpalatable plants. They consume poison ivy, junipers, greenbrier, and sericea lespdeza, which other species will not consume. In addition, goats can create a secondary income through the breeding and selling of these animals.<\/p>\n

While Goats manage the woody and unpalatable plants, adding Sheep helps with the addition of managing forbs and grasses. Sheep prefer to consume the undesirable forbs that are mixed in with the desirable forage. Sheep can improve the soil health and promote beneficial vegetation cover. Both of these species are better adapted at grazing on steeper, rockier areas of land.<\/p>\n

What Challenges will be faced?<\/strong><\/p>\n

As with any addition to an operation the complexity in management increases. This includes managing the herd health and the nutritional aspects for all species. Another component of health and nutrition is water. Will water need to be hauled in? Are all the species able to reach the watering systems being used. Keep in mind that many water troughs that are suited for Cattle will be too tall for Goats and Sheep.<\/p>\n

Another aspect that needs to be considered with the addition of multiple species, is fencing and predation. Proper fencing is needed to maintain keeping the livestock in and predators out. Predators can include bobcats, wild pigs, coyotes, stray dogs, and mountain lions.<\/p>\n

As with all things being implemented on operations, timing is key. Different factors, such as drought, seasonal changes, and other climatic factors can affect the ideal timeframe for targeted grazing.<\/p>\n

Targeted grazing when used correctly can be an effective way to manage vegetation to reach a number of operational goals. Some important advantages include; a cost-effective vegetation management alternative, enhancing habitat restoration, and breaking down plant carbon in the soil. For more information on this topic, read the full AgriLife Extension Publication \u2013 Targeted Grazing with Goats and Sheep<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Before producers can consider adding additional species to their operations, forage production and carrying capacity must be determined. This is crucial and the foundation of any operation.\u00a0 More information on determining stocking rate and carry capacity can be found in this AgriLife Extension Publication \u2013 Stocking Rate: The Key Grazing Management Decision. What is Targeted… Read More →<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2037,"featured_media":1038,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[103,13,92,104,102],"tags":[106,40,52,105,107],"class_list":{"0":"post-972","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-goats","8":"category-grazing-management","9":"category-range-concepts","10":"category-sheep","11":"category-targeted-grazing","12":"tag-goats","13":"tag-grazing","14":"tag-grazing-management","15":"tag-sheep","16":"tag-targeted-grazing","17":"entry"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTargeted Grazing with Goats and Sheep - West Texas Rangelands<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/agrilife.org\/westtexasrangelands\/targeted-grazing-with-goats-and-sheep\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Targeted Grazing with Goats and Sheep - West Texas Rangelands\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Before producers can consider adding additional species to their operations, forage production and carrying capacity must be determined. 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