A publication of the University of the Virgin Islands Agricultural Experiment Station January, 2002


INTRODUCTION
Pastures typically account for the
largest proportion of land use in the
tropics (e.g.. 80% of land use in the
U.S. Virgin Islands; USVI). Proper
management of pasture lands, then.
is critical to sustainable land use and
overall success of animal production
enterprises. For animal production.
assuming the right animal type.
adequate water source, and good
infrastructure (i.e.. fencing and
shade), the main focus of pasture
management is usually on pasture
productivity, nutritive value, and
longevity.
 Pasture productivity is depen-
dent on seasonal rainfall, soil and
pasture type, weed competition and
composition, and number of live-
stock carried. Fertilizer manage-
ment, weed control, selection and
introduction of new plant species
(i.e., higher yielding or more
desirable growth characteristics)
and re-seeding are some agronomic
techniques that have been used to
increase pasture productivity.
 Pasture quality is also dependent
on seasonal rainfall, soil and pasture
type, amount of forage present and
maturity of the plant, and the number
and type of livestock grazed.
Fertilizer N applications and addi-
tion of forage legumes to pastures
have been used to enhance nutritive
value.
 Pasture composition also plays


Pasture management makes economic and environmental sense.


an important role in productivity and
quality. Sustained productivity and
pasture longevity, however, are
strongly dependent on the intensity
and frequency of grazing.
 The objective of this factsheet is
to provide a guide to grazing
managers for maintaining long-tenm
sustainability of their pasture re-
sources.

GRAZING MANAGEMENT
CONCEPTS
 The Forage and Grazing Termi-
nology Committee (1992) defined
several terms in grazing manage-


ment. The manipulation of livestock
grazing to accomplish desired re-
sults (i.e., high levels of production
and long-term persistence) best
describes grazing management.
Main variables in grazing manage-
ment are stocking rate, stocking
density, and grazing method. Stock-
Ing rate is the number of animals per
unit area (related to the total area that
the animals wil graze). Stocking
density is the number of animals per
unit area at a given point in time. If
20 cows graze a 10-acre area. either
continuously or rotationally, the
stocking rate is two animals per acre