betesskötsel
Betesskötsel is the practice of managing grazing livestock and pasture resources to optimize forage production, animal nutrition, and ecosystem health. It covers planning, implementing, and monitoring grazing regimes, as well as accompanying practices such as fencing, water supply, fertilizer use, weed control, and the selection and establishment of forage species.
A central aim is to balance forage supply with demand, allowing plants to recover between grazing periods,
Key methods include rotational grazing, where livestock move between paddocks to rest grazed areas; targeted stocking
Monitoring is central to betesskötsel. Examples include tracking sward height and ground cover, assessing forage intake
Benefits commonly cited are improved forage utilization, higher productivity per hectare, reduced erosion and nutrient losses,
Challenges include variable weather, pest and weed pressures, soil compaction, and the initial investment in fencing,
In temperate farming systems such as Sweden and neighboring regions, betesskötsel is part of sustainable livestock