High stocking rates and tight grazing are very risky

ADVOCATES of very heavy stocking rates, extremely tight grazing, and using very little concentrates are generally very prominent after a few good grazing years.

Their system generally involves feeding very little concentrates, resulting in relatively low milk production, little or no grass being closed for silage until May, minimum winter feed, and grazing pastures too tightly.

This system could give satisfactory results in a good year, but is a disaster in bad years.