Overgrazing pastures is especially common during dry weather or when carrying capacity is especially high. Producers often fail to realize they have overgrazed until the damage is done. To prevent overgrazing, the following steps can be taken: Pasture forage can be supplemented with stored livestock feed.

How does overgrazing happen?

It can happen in continuous or rotational grazing systems. According to Pratt, this occurs two ways – animals staying in a paddock too long or coming back too soon. During overgrazing, animals reduce plant leaf areas, decreasing plants' ability to intercept sunlight and grow new leaf material.

What are two things that cause overgrazing?