What is the main benefit of rotational grazing?

Rotational grazing is a management practice that involves moving livestock between different pasture areas to optimize forage use and maintain pasture health. The main benefit of rotational grazing lies in its ability to enhance pasture recovery and reduce parasite loads.

When animals are rotated among various pastures, it allows the grazed areas time to rest and recover. This improved recovery leads to healthier and more robust plant growth, which can result in better forage quality and availability in the long term. Healthy pastures can also sequester more carbon, enhance soil structure, and improve water retention.

Furthermore, by moving livestock regularly, the life cycles of multiple parasites that can affect sheep are disrupted. Many parasites rely on certain conditions to thrive, including the consistent presence of livestock in one area. By not allowing the sheep to remain in one place for extended periods, the opportunities for these parasites to reproduce and infest the animals are significantly reduced, contributing to better overall health and lower veterinary costs.

The other options, while they may have some relevance to sheep management, do not encompass the primary advantage of rotational grazing as it pertains to pasture health and animal welfare.