Rotational grazing: How much does it cost ?

Practical rules

• The land area is divided up into smaller plots, minimum 4,
• The animals are moved from one plot to another in succession,
• Rotations take place every 5 to 7 days,
• Putting the animals out to graze should take place early, when the height of the grass is around 7-8 cm (not more than 15cm),
• The height when they are taken off should not be below 5cm,
• Grass needs a rest period : 3 weeks between two grazing periods.

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What is the size of the plots ?

The grazing load should represent 4000 to 5000 m²/ LSU in Spring, then 8000 to 10000 m² in summer.

In accordance to the charts above, a 1 hectare plot with average productivity enables to feed on grass :

• more than 2 brood mares with their foals
• or more than 3 warmblood horses
• or more than 6 ponies.

In the example below (Thaurion stables) : 4 warmblood horses are kept throughout the spring on a 1,5 hectare plot, with an average productivity in grass. It is divided into 5 sub-plots of 3000 m² each. On one sub-plot, the grazing load at any one time is then equal to over 13 horses per hectare

What about fencing ?

Electric paddock tape, at the correct height,  with a battery energiser is usually enough to contain horses.

The outside fencing should be made in durable and robust materials, the inside fencing to seperate the sub-plots can be mobile.

Posts are placed every 5 to 10m, and the height of the tape or wire is variable depending on the animals to be contained. For an adult horse, two rows of wire at around 80cms and 140cm. The inside dividing fencing can be lower, and one row may be enough. Usually placed at around 90 cm.

Cost of mobile fencing

In 2016, rotational grazing was implemented on plots that had previously been mowed. The herd of animals concerned consisted of 4 warmblood horses : two mares (550kg) and two fillies (aged 2 and 3). The permanent outside fencing was already in place. Only the inside fencing (in red on the plan) had to be put in place :

• Higher ground : 80m x 50m (3900m2 per sub-plot)
• Lower ground : 100m x 30m (2500 m² per sub-plot)

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This layout required buying and installing 340m of fencing, i.e. 680m of electric tape and 60 additional plastic posts :

• Purchase of the tape : 680m = 78,3€ ex VAT
• Purchase of posts : 60 × 2,75 = 165€ ex VAT
• Total cost of the mobile fencing equipment : 243,3€ ex VAT

Cost of labour

The labour time estimated by the manager was two half days to put the inside mobile fencing up.

Total : 6 hours paid at minimum wage (SMIC) of €10,18/hour for a total of  €61,08

Cost of upkeep of the plots

* Scale BCMA (Coordination bureau for agricultural machinery)

Note, in 2015, maintenace was not optimal, where the land was mowed only once (1h in Autumn)

Therefore, in 2016, there was an additional cost due to better land maintenance : difference between 2015 and 2016 : 83,8 – 43,9 = + €39,9

Cost of supplementig the horses in fodder

 ** Estimation based on the PEREL method (method to render husbandry more sustainable)

Not having to give hay in 2016 saved 277€ compared to 2015, in similar climatic conditions.

Economic balance sheet

In 2016, the farm therefore saved around 130€ compared to 2015, by implementing rotational grazing. Rotational grazing therefore optimised the use of the grass produced and enabled a reduction in the cost of feeding the horses.

Note : implementing rotational grazing requires for each of the sub-plots suitable fencing equipment, a water supply and access to a natural or artificial shelter,