Why Rotational Grazing Matters
Rotational grazing is a sustainable land management practice that has been utilized by farmers across the world for decades. This technique involves containing livestock in a smaller, confined area of a pasture for grazing compared to a conventional pasture where the animal has access to the entire area. Rotational grazing provides many long-lasting benefits for producers. With the same amount of acreage, 25-40% more forage can be produced on the same land when utilizing a rotational grazing system. Fertilization is another advantage, as restricting cattle to a confined area allows for greater concentration of manure and natural nutrients to benefit the soil. The long-term benefits of rotational grazing improve livestock health by decreasing the risk of parasites and disease and providing better nutrition. It also increases farm profitability by increasing forage production, promoting soil health, and lowering feed costs.

As you can see, there are many advantages to implementing rotational grazing on your operation. But choosing the right fence for it can make all the difference. Temporary electric fencing is the best option because it allows you to outline your grazing paddock and adjust the fence as needed.

What is Rotational Grazing
Rotational grazing is a practice to divide a larger pasture into smaller sections to utilize forages most efficiently, as mentioned above. While it does require some more hands-on management of your livestock to build the smaller sections and move them, it pays off in the long run for overall management of the livestock and land. The best way to cost-effectively implement rotational grazing is through temporary electric fencing. Check out our mini-book on temporary electric fencing.

Understanding OHMS
Before exploring the best temporary fencing options, it’s crucial to understand electricity and OHMS. OHMS is commonly represented by the Greek letter "Ω.” One ohm is the resistance between two points when one volt of potential difference produces one amp of current. This is how the electrical load is calculated. The higher the number of OHMS, the higher the resistance, which equals less power output by the fence. A lower OHMS number means there is more electrical output by the fence. This means the electricity flows easily, allowing more power to travel down the wire, which results in a stronger, more effective shock at the end of the fence. When selecting your fence, it’s important to keep this in mind for gauging the strength of the electrical current. A simple way to remember it is: 18,500 = Good, 9,500 = Better, 100 = BEST

Choosing the Right Fence
To get started with rotational grazing, you’ll need to first identify which type of electric poly fence is best suited for your livestock. While being low-cost and highly effective, poly fence provides an ideal rotational grazing setup. Explore our four types of poly fence and decide which one is best for you by checking out our recent blog post, Choosing the Right Poly Wire Fence: Types, Uses, and Benefits.

Rotational Grazing Posts
For rotational grazing and temporary electric fencing, choosing the right post makes setup and movement much easier. We offer four options all designed to simplify temporary fencing and make frequent moves efficient.

• Tread-in Post - Built with a durable I-beam design and “Easy-Clip” feature, this post includes a long high-tensile steel spike for stability. It’s UV stable and yellow for visibility.
• Steel Pigtail Post - Has a coated steel shaft and holds fencing about 36 inches high. It uses a rod post insulator to support multiple lines and comes in white.
• Step-in Post - Eight positioning settings, a pointed tip, and wider foot make it easier for installation. It’s UV stable and comes in white or black.
• Smart Clip Fiberglass Step-In Post - Features four clips and 3/8in rod in diameter, holding the fence over 38in above ground. It’s coated to prevent damage or fading and works well with all poly fences.

Hook Gate Handle
Along with the fence, you’ll need a solid hook gate handle for accessing your grazing paddocks. The Pasture Management Insulated Hook Gate Handle is ideal for polywire and polytape fence usage. It connects to any wire for ease of building and moving the temporary fence. It’s designed to effectively provide electric flow when needed while also not electrifying something that doesn’t need electricity, like a woven wire fence. With its cost-effective price, simplicity to operate, and safety design, it's essential to a rotational grazing system.

For a detailed visual and to learn more, be sure to check out our Youtube channel and watch Building Fence 101: Rotational Grazing and Temporary Fencing. Refer to our product catalog to see the wide variety of materials we offer and make a list of what you decide is best suited for your operation. Search on our website here to find a dealer near you to get all of your supplies. Then you’ll be on your way to having an effective, sturdy temporary fence for your operation.