beitepraksis

Beitepraksis, or grazing practice, is the management of livestock grazing on pastures and rangelands to optimize forage use, animal welfare, and land health. It includes decisions about when and how much to graze, how to allocate pasture with fencing and water points, and how to monitor pasture condition and livestock performance.

Core elements are stocking rate based on forage supply, grazing rotation with rest periods for regrowth, and pasture maintenance. Common approaches include rotational grazing, continuous grazing, and strip grazing; some systems use silvopasture. Effective practice requires adequate water, shade, secure fencing, and careful record-keeping.

Benefits of well-managed beitepraksis include higher forage utilization, healthier pastures with better cover, reduced erosion, and potential gains in animal performance. Risks include overgrazing, soil compaction, biodiversity loss, and vulnerability to drought if management is poor.

Environmental and welfare aspects are central. Proper grazing supports welfare by regular forage access and can aid nutrient cycling, while poor management can harm soils, waterways, and wildlife.

Practice varies by region, climate, and policy. Beitepraksis is usually part of broader pasture management plans and may be supported by extension services or subsidies. Common evaluation indicators include ground cover, residual forage height, and animal performance.