Advice from Dr. Bart Lardner: Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of our three-part pasture management series featuring Dr. Bart Lardner, Professor of Animal and Poultry Science at the University of Saskatchewan. In this article, we take a closer look at rotational grazing and why giving pastures time to rest is one of the best investments producers can make.
Many producers assume rotational grazing requires expensive infrastructure or dozens of paddocks. According to Dr. Lardner, it doesn’t have to be that way.
“Every farm is a different case study. What works for one producer may not work for another.”
Whether you divide a pasture into two paddocks or twenty, the goal remains the same: give forage plants enough time to recover between grazing events.
Even simple changes to how cattle move through a pasture can improve forage production, animal performance, and pasture longevity.
Why continuous grazing falls short
In continuously grazed pastures, cattle repeatedly return to the same young, tender plants while ignoring mature growth elsewhere.
Those preferred plants never get a chance to recover.
Over time, desirable forage species decline while weeds and less productive plants become more common.
The Power of Rest
The biggest advantage of rotational grazing isn’t that cattle move—it’s that plants get to rest.
Allowing forage to recover rebuilds root reserves, increases future growth, and keeps desirable species productive.
Think of every grazing event as a harvest. Just as you wouldn’t continually harvest the same crop every week, forage plants need time between grazing events.
Keep it simple
You don’t need dozens of paddocks to start seeing benefits.
Splitting one pasture into two paddocks can provide meaningful recovery time while remaining easy to manage.
From there, producers can expand their system as time and infrastructure allow.
Modern tools make it easier
Portable electric fencing, polywire, and temporary fencing systems have made rotational grazing much more practical than it was years ago.
Emerging technologies such as virtual fencing are also showing promise, although research is still evaluating their long-term fit for Western Canadian operations.
Build a System That Works for You
No single grazing system works for every operation.
The right approach depends on pasture size, soil type, labour, water access, herd size, and your management goals.
Start somewhere
You don’t need a perfect grazing system to start seeing results.
Rotational grazing doesn’t have to be complicated to make a difference. Even a simple system that gives plants time to recover can improve pasture health, increase carrying capacity, and help keep productive forage stands thriving for years to come.
In Part 3, we’ll look at how to recognize the early signs of pasture decline—and what you can do before a complete renovation becomes necessary.
