Enhancing Production of Ruminant Species Through Multispecies Grazing Systems

A common management practice on the arid and semiarid rangelands in the western United States and other countries is the grazing of two or more animal species together or separately in the same growing season. This practice is much less common in the pastures of the humid areas of the eastern United States and other countries. However, New Zealand livestock producers use the management concept effectively in their intensive grazing systems. This paper provides a general overview of the concept plus the advantages and disadvantages of its use, which are: 1. Advantages a. Complementarity b. Improved pasture management and forage production c. Diversification and income stability d. Parasite management e. Predator control 2. Disadvantages a. Increased facility costs b. Reduced efficiency within each species c. Labor conflicts d. Need for increased management skills