What is Targeted Grazing?

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Land managers utilizing targeted grazing focus upon vegetation management goals, while assigning animal production goals to a secondary role. Targeted grazing represents the application of a specific kind of livestock, at a determined season, duration, and intensity to accomplish defined vegetation and landscape enhancement goals. Effective grazing programs for weed control require planning and specialized knowledge in order to eliminate the target plants while improving the health of the desired plants.

Overgrazing encourages the spread of noxious weeds. Applying the knowledge necessary to create an environment where the grazing animal prefers the target plant, and applying the grazing at the proper duration and intensity represent the key ingredients to a successful targeted grazing effort.

Land managers should consider targeted grazing as another tool in the kit for constructing desirable ecosystems. While most of the traditional weed management tools have environmental, social, and economic impacts, targeted grazing represents an effective, under utilized and readily available tool for vegetation management in many areas.

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