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Grass Productivity: An Introduction to Rational Grazing
SIMPLE questions often help us to understand problems better; and I think it indispensable, at the beginning of this work, to ask a question which appears simple in the extreme: “What is grazing?” The answer is generally as follows: “Causing grass to be eaten by an animal.” That is correct! But here is another answer which, to my mind, is more realistic: “Causing the grass and the animal to meet.” Since this book is almost exclusively concerned with grazing by cattle, I propose the following definition to the reader, requesting him to allow it to become well impressed upon his mind: Grazing is the meeting of cow and grass. It is by satisfying as far as possible the demands of both parties that we will arrive at a rational grazing, which will provide us with maximum productivity on the part of the grass while at the same time allowing the cow to give optimum performance. [From the Introduction]
502 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 6, 2009
A fascinating read and a classic. The appeal of this book is largely the historical aspect but also because Voisin's principles retain contemporary applicability. Plus, I just really like his old style matter-of-fact way about presenting his arguments. For example, note his "laws" for grazing:
"Before a sward, sheared with the animal's teeth, can achieve its maximum productivity, sufficient interval must have elapsed between two successive shearings to allow the grass: (a) to accumulate in its roots the reserves necessary for a vigorous spurt of re-growth; (b) to produce its 'blaze of growth' (or high daily yield per acre)."
And, the important corollary to the "First Law":
"The rest period between two successive shearings varies with the season, climatic conditions and other environmental factors."
He goes on with other important "laws", but the above pretty much sums up pasture management in a nutshell.
Voisin's criticism of the use of crude protein as a measure of forage quality is very interesting to me as this is still used regularly by extension staff and ranchers. In fact, I am very intrigued as to what the "answer" is to many of the questions he raised 50 or so years ago. Is our understanding of grazing systems any better? What other "peasant" knowledge has continued to be ignored over the decades? I'm really curious as to the differences he points out about biological sources of nitrogen (i.e. from forage legumes) and manufactured N. "Clover provides an organic nitrogen, very probably possessing many different qualities not found in mineral nitrogen. It has recently been discovered that the bacteria (Rhizobium) of the nodules of legumes produce Vitamin B12, the anti-anaemia vitamin."
In short, I think this book should be on the desk of every person involved with grazing animals and pasture management.
"Before a sward, sheared with the animal's teeth, can achieve its maximum productivity, sufficient interval must have elapsed between two successive shearings to allow the grass: (a) to accumulate in its roots the reserves necessary for a vigorous spurt of re-growth; (b) to produce its 'blaze of growth' (or high daily yield per acre)."
And, the important corollary to the "First Law":
"The rest period between two successive shearings varies with the season, climatic conditions and other environmental factors."
He goes on with other important "laws", but the above pretty much sums up pasture management in a nutshell.
Voisin's criticism of the use of crude protein as a measure of forage quality is very interesting to me as this is still used regularly by extension staff and ranchers. In fact, I am very intrigued as to what the "answer" is to many of the questions he raised 50 or so years ago. Is our understanding of grazing systems any better? What other "peasant" knowledge has continued to be ignored over the decades? I'm really curious as to the differences he points out about biological sources of nitrogen (i.e. from forage legumes) and manufactured N. "Clover provides an organic nitrogen, very probably possessing many different qualities not found in mineral nitrogen. It has recently been discovered that the bacteria (Rhizobium) of the nodules of legumes produce Vitamin B12, the anti-anaemia vitamin."
In short, I think this book should be on the desk of every person involved with grazing animals and pasture management.
June 19, 2019
This is the best book I’ve read on Rotational Grazing for cattle. It is filled with research, and unsurprisingly, we have forgot so many things that we learned over a 100 years ago. For example, research showed cattle feed for 8 hours max, and then rest and chew cud. Also, studies showed that treating a sub par parcel of land with nitrogen prior to cattle grazing it led to animals feeding more aggressively on this parcel then without a treatment of nitrogen. Both items above were learned thru studies over a century ago, but I would bet not many today know this. But this knowledge and countless other items in the book can impact how we raise cattle today with the aim of putting more weight on our cattle. Excellent book. I keep rereading parts and have highlighted sections so that I won’t forget.
December 15, 2019
"What is rational grazing?
Rational grazing affords maximum satisfaction to the requirements of both grass and animal. It should be remembered that grazing is the meeting of animal and grass, and these two elements should be kept constantly in mind by the grazier. Rational grazing does not result from the mere division of a pasture or use of an electric fence. Division, whether by means of fixed or mobile fences, is not an end in itself but a means of helping to satisfy, by judicious compromise, the requirements of animal and grass."
Rational grazing affords maximum satisfaction to the requirements of both grass and animal. It should be remembered that grazing is the meeting of animal and grass, and these two elements should be kept constantly in mind by the grazier. Rational grazing does not result from the mere division of a pasture or use of an electric fence. Division, whether by means of fixed or mobile fences, is not an end in itself but a means of helping to satisfy, by judicious compromise, the requirements of animal and grass."
June 23, 2019
Incredible wisdom
Understanding this book would confer the knowledge of a college education in agriculture. I wish I read this book 40 years ago.Why was it not part of the agriculture curriculum?
Understanding this book would confer the knowledge of a college education in agriculture. I wish I read this book 40 years ago.Why was it not part of the agriculture curriculum?
March 12, 2016
Surprisingly poetic in its subpar translation.
I am now inclined to seek out meager translations of as many French agrarian handbooks as possible.
I am now inclined to seek out meager translations of as many French agrarian handbooks as possible.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews