What is Management-Intensive Grazing?
Management-intensive Grazing (MIG) refers to several grazing systems wherein animals are allowed to graze only a small portion of the pasture (an individual paddock) while other paddocks are rested and allowed to recover. By rationing the pasture in a MIG system, Georgia farmers can make more efficient use of their land than if they continually keep animals in one large pasture (i.e., continuous stocking). Management-Intensive Grazing systems, of which there are many variations, can increase the yield of animal products per acre and, in most cases, net profit per farm. The optimum MIG system provides the following major advantages: • Daily intake of forage and supplemental feed is more efficiently rationed. • Pasture plants are allowed to adequately recover between grazings and are therefore more persistent. • Pasture yield is increased and the distribution of the forage is improved. • Cost of machinery, fuel, and facilities are reduced. • Animal waste and, therefore, soil quality and
