Strip grazing is an efficient and innovative way for farmers to control the health of their animals and their pasture. With Gallagher Animal Management’s strip grazing kits, any farmer can now implement strip grazing on his farm in no time.

Strip grazing is a method used to divide a pasture into strips. Animals are then allowed to graze on each strip for a certain amount of time. These strips are separated by a temporary fence which can be moved to let the animals graze on a different piece of the pasture.

Strip grazing has many benefits, for example:

 – Animals graze on a new pasture strip every day, therefore there is a smaller chance of diseases breaking out. This means strip grazing can lead to healthier animals.

 – Because animals only graze on each strip for a short time, the grass grows back faster. The shortened grazing time means there is less movement on the pasture, therefore less grass is trampled, and the soil is not compacted.

 – When animals have a large pasture at their disposal, they choose what and where they eat, this means they can completely eradicate the tastier, more nutritious grass and the less valuable grass then grows out of control. This can radically reduce the value of the pasture. With strip grazing, they don’t have a choice – they must eat everything.

 – Because the animals get a new grazing strip every day, they eat sufficient and healthy grass every day. The upper part of the grass has more protein rich leaves while the stem contains more sugar. So, when animals continuously graze on the same pasture, they get more sugar than protein.

 – Efficient pasture management is essential for productive land and a profitable farm. By applying strip grazing, a farmer can ensure that his animals have pasture all year round and that his soil remains healthy.

Before you implement strip grazing on your farm, there is planning that needs to be done. Keep in mind:

 – The condition of your pasture, this includes soil health, plant types and existing pasture. This will help you decide how to divide your pasture.

 – The availability of water. Is there a reliable water source on each strip or will you have to find a portable water source, such as water throughs.

 – You must plan how often you want to move your animals and how long you want to let a pasture rest before animals’ graze again. Also plan how many animals you want to graze on one strip.

 – The type of fence you will use. This is where Gallagher Animal Management and their electric fencing solutions come in.

Gallagher Animal Management makes implementing strip grazing easy and effortless. With their wide range of portable strip grazing fencing kits as well as permanent fencing, they provide everything you need.

Their strip grazing kits include the following:

 – A suitable Energizer

 – A tester to test your electric fence

 – A pulley to roll up and down the fence wire

 – A conductor to conduct the electricity

 – Fence posts

 – Wire

Gallagher Animal Management has strip grazing kits for sheep, cattle and horses.

Permanent fences versus portable fences

Electric fences make managing your pasture easy and fast. By combining permanent and portable electric fences you can exercise the best control over your animals.

A permanent electric fence around your fields can keep your animals safely inside, while a moveable electric fence inside makes it easy to divide the grazing strips and move them regularly.

When a fixed grazing pattern is established, a farmer can then replace the portable fence with a permanent electric fence. A permanent fence requires less labour. These fences are also more affordable compared to traditional non-electrified fences and last longer. Permanent fences use highly conductive, corrosion-resistant wire that can be fastened on wooden, steel and fiberglass posts.

The portable fences can then be used again to further divide the existing pastures.

Portable fences are easy to transport, assemble and disassemble. Gallagher Animal Management provides poles that can accommodate multiple wires and can be set up at different heights. Ideal for portable fences, Gallagher’s wire is light, visible and easy to roll up.

For your strip grazing solutions, visit Gallagher’s website today at www.gallaghersa.co.za to apply the best soil, pasture and animal health to your farm.