laidunkiertoohjelmia

Laidunkiertoohjelmia, often translated as rotational grazing programs, are a system of managing grazing livestock by moving them between different pastures on a scheduled basis. Instead of allowing animals to graze continuously in one large area, the land is divided into smaller paddocks or fields. Animals are then moved from one paddock to another after a predetermined period, allowing the previously grazed areas to rest and regrow.

The primary goals of laidunkiertoohjelmia include improving pasture health, increasing forage production, and enhancing animal performance. By controlling the amount of time animals spend in any single area, overgrazing is prevented, which allows grasses and other forage plants to recover their root systems and foliage. This leads to a more vigorous and resilient pasture over time.

Different types of rotational grazing exist, varying in the frequency of pasture moves and the size of the paddocks. These can range from simple two-pasture systems to more complex multi-paddock setups with very frequent moves, sometimes referred to as strip grazing or ultra-high density grazing. The optimal program depends on factors such as livestock type, stocking rate, climate, soil type, and pasture species present.

Benefits often cited include improved soil fertility due to more even distribution of manure, reduced parasite loads in livestock as they are less exposed to concentrated areas of feces, and better control over weed invasion. While requiring more intensive management and infrastructure such as fencing and water access, laidunkiertoohjelmia are considered a sustainable land management practice in many agricultural contexts.