Multi-species Grazing

 

 Definition: Grazing two or more livestock species on the same land unit within a season to optimize forage utilization and improve productivity. Multi-species grazing is most practical and cost-effective when weed and brush infestations, such as leafy spurge cover large areas. Small, scattered patches are better controlled with herbicides.

Benefits

• Improved Pasture Health: Different livestock species target different plants, reducing weeds and promoting diverse plant communities.
• Healthier ecosystems: more resilient to events such as drought
• Weed Control: Sheep and goats effectively control invasive species like leafy spurge and brush without herbicides.
• Higher Production: Increased carrying capacity and better forage utilization lead to higher animal performance per acre.
• Parasite Reduction: Species-specific parasites mean cattle and sheep can reduce each other’s parasite loads.
• Species Specific Toxicity reduction: Sheep and goats graze species such as forage and browse and weeds that are often are toxic to cattle, thus reducing the risk of poisoning to cattle
• Economic Diversification: Multiple species help stabilize income across market cycles.

Disadvantages

• Infrastructure: Additional fencing, water systems, and handling facilities may be required.
• Mineral Management: Supplements must be species-specific to avoid toxicity (e.g., copper for sheep).
• Parasite Risks: Sheep and goats share parasites; careful management is needed.
• Disease Concerns:
• Johne’s Disease: Infectious bacteria can persist in pastures for up to a year and can be spread from species to species through eating feed contaminated with manure
• Malignant Catarrhal Fever (MCF): Carried by sheep; avoid grazing sheep with bison or deer. This disease is spread through direct nasal secretion contact

 

Grazing Strategies

• Mob Grazing: All species graze together.
• Leader-Follower: High-need animals graze first, followed by others.
• Alternate Grazing: Different species graze paddocks at different times.

Key Principle: Monitor forage utilization and allow adequate rest for regrowth.

Integrated Control

Highly invasive plant species such as leafy spurge lacks natural predators in North America. The best results come from Integrated Pest Management (IPM)—combining multi-species grazing with biological agents and herbicides to accelerate recovery. The table below shows the amount of leafy spurge you can expect each animal species to consume without any training. Goats have the highest preference but both sheep and goats are effective for controlling leafy spurge.

 

Cost of Inaction

Failure to control leafy spurge reduces pasture carrying capacity, lowers land value, decreases biodiversity, and impacts soil water retention.

Getting Started

• Fencing: Sheep and goats require stronger fencing than cattle or horses. Upgrade costs depend on existing infrastructure.
• Predator Control: Use guard animals (llamas, donkeys, dogs) or predator-resistant fencing. Cattle offer limited protection when grazed together.
• Grazing System: Continuous grazing provides the fastest control; rotational grazing is nearly as effective. Graze spurge before seed set and complete the first rotation by mid-July, followed by 1–2 additional grazings

Stocking Rates

Rates depend on spurge density and available forage:

• Light to moderate infestations: 1 sheep/goat per acre for 4 months reduces spurge in 3–5 years.
• Heavy infestations or bushy areas may require higher stocking rates. Adjust rates as spurge declines to avoid dietary overlap with other livestock.

Additional Benefits

Sheep and goats consume brush and forbs (e.g., aspen suckers, buckbrush, sage, thistle), improving pasture diversity and reducing invasive species without herbicides.

Timeframe for Control

Significant reductions occur within 3–5 years. Initial increases in stem count may occur, but plants weaken and bloom less. Long-term studies show up to 98% reduction after 5 years.

Long-Term Management

After major reductions, sheep and goats can be removed, but leafy spurge will eventually return. Implement follow-up control measures such as spot herbicide treatments.