Short-Duration Grazing: The Facts in 1999

Abstract

Short-duration grazing (also called rapid-rotation, timecontrolled, Savory grazing, holistic resource management) was conceived in Zimbabwe by Allan Savory in the 1960's and later introduced into the United States by Goodloe (1969). When Savory came to the United States in the late 1970's, he made further refinements discussed by Savory (1978), Savory and Parsons (1980), Savory (1983), and Savory (1988). During the 1980's short-duration grazing attracted much attention based on the claims it would accelerate range improvement while at the same time accommodating higher stocking rates. On many ranches it was contended that stocking rates could be doubled or even trivled while at the same time improving both range and livestock productivity. Common conception of Savory grazing typically involves a wagon-wheel arrangement of fences with water and livestock handling facilities located in the center of the grazing area. However, it can be applied without the wagon-wheel design. A key feature is that a single herd of livestock is rotated through no fewer than 8 pastures (paddocks). Typically, the grazing period during active forage growth should be 5 days or less followed by 4 or more weeks of nonuse. It is recommended that livestock be moved more quickly during periods of active forage growth than in dormancy. According to Savory and Parsons (1980), Savory (1983), and Savory (1988), short-duration or time-controlled grazing can do the following if properly implemented: 1. Improve water infiltration into the soil as a result of hoof action.