The key to maximum production of high quality forage lies in management practices. It does little good to recommend high producing pasture mixtures unless there is some assurance that growth requirements of the species are met. One mixture can be made to out-yield another purely by management practices.

In compounding forage mixtures for an area the technician needs a thorough understanding of site condition. Species which are most adapted to the site and to the management practiced employed should be chosen. For a rating of species with respect to adaptability to environmental conditions see Table "Characteristics of Forage Species".

Certain management operations are fundamental to all irrigated pastures. These are listed in the "Pasture Management Chart" (Table 3-VII). Within the guidelines of this chart flexibility must be maintained with respect to the species seeded. For example, mixtures containing Ladino clover will require more frequent irrigation than those containing birdsfoot trefoil and the amount of fertilizer applied will depend on the legume composition of the mixture.

The type of grazing system used is often related to the intensity of production desired. Marginal land areas are more likely to be grazed on a season-long basis while more productive land is grazed with more intensive management systems. Three main systems of grazing management are practiced in Montana. These are (1) season-long grazing, (2) rotation grazing, and (3) strip- or pasture-a-day grazing. Of these three systems, the latter two are preferred.

In season-long grazing, animals are left on the pasture throughout the season. The major disadvantage of such a system is that it does not permit the careful management practices necessary for optimum production, and results in poorer utilization and spot grazing. An advantage is that forage is not grazed as closely which permits more leaf area for rapid regrowth.

In rotation grazing, pastures are divided into three or more pastures. Animals are rotated from one pasture to the other on a schedule of five to 10 days on each pasture and 20 to 30 days off pasture. The advantage of this system is that it is in harmony with good management practices. Forage is more completely utilized than in season-long grazing; ungrazed growth may be clipped and droppings spread with a harrow after each grazing; and pastures are irrigated when animals are not grazing them. Care must be exercised that each pasture is not grazed too closely so that enough leaf area is left for rapid regrowth. Grazing uniformly to 3 or 4 inches is considered ideal.

In strip grazing, a large number of animals are assigned to one or two acres for a period of a few days. Confinement is accomplished by moving an electric fence ahead and behind the grazing animals. Strip grazing lends itself to management in a manner similar to rotation grazing, but results in a greater degree of utilization. A particular advantage is in the grazing of mixtures containing a high percentage of legumes. With a larger concentration of animals on a small area, grazing choice is restricted and animals are forced to graze both grass and legume. The restricted grazing selectivity thus results in decreasing the bloat hazard. A disadvantage of strip grazing is that pastures are often grazed too closely before animals are moved to a new pasture.