Case Study Activity Sheet: Forages & Grazing Systems
Read each scenario carefully and answer the three questions provided. Use logical reasoning and practical
application to solve the challenges faced by each farmer.
Scenario 1: Restoring Overgrazed Pasture in a Dairy Farm
A dairy farmer notices that his pasture has bare patches and poor regrowth, affecting the quality of feed for his
cows. The decline in milk production has raised concerns about the long-term sustainability of his farm.
Questions:
1. What grazing method would help restore the pasture while ensuring high-quality forage for the cows?
2. How can the farmer prevent overgrazing from happening again while maintaining a steady milk supply?
3. What steps can he take to improve soil health and encourage better pasture regrowth?
Scenario 2: Finding the Best Feeding Strategy for Beef Cattle
A cattle rancher is considering new ways to increase weight gain in his herd. His current feeding approach has
been inconsistent, and some cows are underweight compared to others.
Questions:
1. What grazing system would help ensure that all cattle get equal access to nutritious forage?
2. If the rancher wants to incorporate nutrient-rich forage into his feeding system, what plant varieties
should he consider?
3. What feeding techniques could be used to improve digestion and maximize weight gain?
Scenario 3: Managing Forage Shortages in Drought Conditions
A farm located in a dry region struggles to maintain healthy pastures during droughts. The farmer often runs
out of fresh grass before the dry season ends, leaving animals with little to eat.
Questions:
1. What grazing system would help conserve forage during drought seasons while reducing soil damage?
2. What types of plants would be best suited for feeding livestock in areas with low rainfall?
3. How can the farmer store surplus forage to ensure livestock have food throughout the year?
Scenario 4: Improving Pasture Efficiency in a Mixed Farm
A farmer managing a combination of cattle, goats, and sheep wants a grazing system that allows all animals to
benefit from quality forage without wasting pasture resources.
Questions:
1. What grazing method would work best for managing different types of grazing animals together?
2. How should the farmer balance grass and legume growth to ensure all animals receive proper
nutrition?
3. What pasture maintenance techniques should be used to prevent weeds from taking over the grazing
area?
Scenario 5: Using Zero Grazing on a Small Farm
A small-scale livestock farmer has limited space for grazing and is considering switching to a zero-grazing
system, where forage is harvested and fed directly to animals instead of letting them graze freely.
Questions:
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of zero grazing compared to traditional grazing systems?
2. How should the farmer prepare and store forage to ensure animals receive quality feed daily?
3. What equipment or tools might be needed to successfully implement a zero-grazing system?
Scenario 6: Preventing Nutrient Imbalances in Livestock Feeding
A farm noticed that its animals were consuming mostly grasses and avoiding legumes, leading to lower protein
intake and reduced productivity. The farmer is searching for solutions to encourage balanced feeding habits.
Questions:
1. What strategies can be used to get livestock to consume both grasses and legumes for balanced
nutrition?
2. How do different grazing methods influence the variety of plants that livestock eat?
3. What pasture management techniques will help maintain high-quality forage that encourages livestock
to eat a mix of plant species?
Scenario 7: Lowering Feed Costs by Maximizing Forage
A farmer is spending too much money on commercial livestock feed and wants to switch to a more cost-
effective grazing strategy.
Questions:
1. What grazing system would allow the farmer to maximize pasture use and reduce dependence on
purchased feed?
2. How can forage conservation techniques help the farmer save money while ensuring steady livestock
nutrition?
3. What farm practices should be adopted to naturally improve the quality and quantity of available
forage?
Scenario 8: Managing Large Herds Without Overgrazing
A farmer with a large herd, struggles with maintaining healthy pasture land. Overgrazing has caused some
areas to become barren, while others grow excessively tall with lower-quality forage.
Questions:
1. What grazing method would help evenly distribute livestock across the pasture and prevent
overgrazing?
2. How should the farmer manage pasture regrowth between grazing cycles to keep forage quality high?
3. What signs should the farmer look for to determine whether a pasture is being overgrazed or
undergrazed?
Scenario 9: Storing Forage for the Dry Season
During the dry season, a farmer notices that stored forage is losing nutritional quality, making it harder to keep
livestock healthy. He wants to improve his forage storage techniques to ensure food remains fresh and
nutritious.
Questions:
1. What methods can be used to store forage effectively while preserving its quality?
2. How does silage fermentation impact forage nutrition, and what mistakes should be avoided?
3. If the farmer wants a natural way to extend the availability of fresh forage, what grazing system could
he implement before the dry season?
