What Is Targeted Grazing?
Targeted grazing is the application of a specific kind of livestock at a determined season, duration, and intensity to accomplish defined vegetation or landscape goals. This concept has been around for decades and has taken many names, including prescribed grazing and managed herbivory. The major difference between good grazing management and targeted grazing is that targeted grazing refocuses outputs of grazing from livestock production to vegetation and landscape enhancement.
Applications of Targeted Grazing
Targeted grazing can be effective at reducing noxious weeds, managing invasive woody species, and managing fuel loads to reduce the risk and extent of wildfire. Just as a physician prescribes a specific medication to combat an illness, targeted grazing employs a specific grazing prescription designed to improve the landscape. A successful grazing prescription should: 1) cause significant damage to the target plant; 2) limit damage to the surrounding vegetation; and 3) be integrated with other control methods as part of an overall landscape management strategy. Grazing prescriptions are site specific and require ecological information and animal management skill.
For more information, see: Targeted Grazing: A Natural Approach to Vegetation Management and Landscape Enhancement
Sheep as a solution to noxious weeds in Montana