What is the practice of rotating livestock among different pastures called?

The practice of rotating livestock among different pastures is termed grazing management. This approach involves carefully planning and implementing the movement of livestock from one pasture to another to ensure that grasses and other forage plants have adequate time to recover after being grazed. Effective grazing management promotes the health of the pasture ecosystem, enhances forage production, and helps prevent overgrazing in any particular area, leading to a more sustainable livestock operation.

Pasture rotation, while related, specifically refers to the actual movement of livestock between pastures. Grazing management encompasses a broader range of practices, including monitoring pasture health, controlling grazing pressure, and planning the time animals spend in each pasture. By rotating livestock, not only is the vegetation preserved, but it also contributes to better soil health, nutrient cycling, and weed control.

In contrast, feed optimization typically focuses on the efficient use of available feed resources to maximize livestock growth and productivity. Selective grazing refers to livestock choosing specific plants or areas to graze based on preferences, which doesn't encompass the broader strategy of systematically rotating livestock through different pastures.