A report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) found about 40% of U.S. cow-calf operations report using rotational grazing.

In rotational grazing, livestock are moved through multiple fenced grazing areas in order to manage forage production and quality. It is a management practice which benefits both the rancher and the land. It has been found to improve animal health, forage productivity and is a more drought resilient grazing livestock system.

The management technique has also been found to improve soil health and increased soil carbon sequestration.

Christine Whitt and Steven Wallander, ERS researchers and the report’s authors, found that while only 40% of cow-calf operations report using rotational grazing, only 40% of rotational grazing operations use intensive rotational grazing.

The study reported that retained stockers, operations that retain the majority of their calves through the initial feeder stage for later sale to feedlots, are the most likely to adopt intensive rotational grazing.

The operations practicing intensive rotational grazing were found to have a significantly higher average stocking density, which means they have more beef cattle per total grazing acres. Basic rotational grazing operations tend to have larger herds and more grazing land on average than either intensive rotational grazing operations or continuous grazing operations.

Although adoption rates vary by regions, the researchers found that about 50% of operations that have adopted rotational grazing are in the Northern Plains and Appalachian regions.

The Appalachian region commonly sees intensive rotational grazing more than basic rotational grazing and operations have a smaller acreage average.

In the Delta States and Southeast region, a greater share of rotational grazing operations practice year-round rotational grazing with the most densely stocked grazing land.

The researchers noted each rotational grazing system varies. Some use five or fewer paddocks, which are typically 40 acres or more with permanent fencing. More intensive rotational grazing systems have more paddocks and are on smaller acreage.

The study was conducted through a survey of U.S. beef cow-calf producers. The population for the survey consists of cattle operations, with cows, heifers and calves, in the 23 largest cattle-producing states.

To view the full report, click here.