Grazing Lands

Managed grazing goes by many names:

• rotational grazing,
• grass-based farming,
• management intensive grazing,
• prescribed grazing. 

But all the terms mean basically the same thing.  Pasture is divided into smaller areas or paddocks, often using portable fencing.   One paddock is grazed for a short time, while the remaining paddocks rest and recover. Grazing offers a profitable and environmentally low-impact way of life.
 

What is the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative?

The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) focuses on providing technical assistance to help new graziers begin using rotational grazing methods. Trained grazing specialists work one-on-one with farmers, developing grazing plans, including seeding recommendations, fencing and watering plans.  GLCI has helped::

• Hundreds of Wisconsin producers develop a Managed Grazing Plan on their land every year
• Thousands of acres of grazing land are protected from erosion, runoff, poor plant and soil health, and loss of animal performance every year
•  Conduct pasture walks, field days, and conferences to educate landowners on grazing
• Organize grazing schools through the University of Wisconsin Extension and UW Extension Beef Team)
• Award several million dollars in grants to groups and agencies to provide education, research and technical assistance on grazing
• Produce numerous publications on grazing, pasture weeds, clover pocket identification guide, fencing, stream crossings and other grazing topics

The Wisconsin Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI)

What can Grazing Specialists do for you?   (PDF; 465 KB)

Wisconsin Grazing Specialists   (PDF; 239 KB)
(NRCS staff, GLCI funded positions, and county land conservation department grazing specialists.  Names, contact information and areas) 

NRCS State Grazing Specialist Brian Pillsbury

Financial Assistance (cost-sharing) for Grazing Practices

Publications on Grazing

• Greener Pastures:  Is Managed Grazing Right for Your Operation?  (PDF; 995 KB)
• Have You Thought About Managed Grazing  (PDF; 345 KB)
• National Job Sheets - see prescribed grazing, fencing, animal trails and walkways, watering facilities, and other topics.

Other Great Sites for Grazing Information

• Grazing Lands Technology Institute
• NRCS Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI)

Grazing Planning Tools

• NRCS Pasture Condition Score Sheet  (PDF; 55 KB)
• Stocking Rates Calculator  (XLS; 61 KB)
• Prescribed Grazing Plan Checklist  (DOC; 45 KB)
• Prototype Managed Grazing Plan  (PDF; 7 MB)