Swath grazing can reduce operating costs because it doesn't require as much manual labor, meaning you do not have to make, haul and cover feed, start a tractor, and go out to feed your animals everyday.
You do not have to clean corrals and spread manure if they are swath grazing.
They automatically evenly spread the manure over the land increasing the quality and fertility of the soil.
Managing swath grazing makes an electric fencer very important.
Animals will eat the best quality portion of the crop first.
They will eat the heads off the crop leaving the straw.
This is where the fencer comes in, the crop should be fenced into small portions and they will eat the heads and the straw stems then they can be moved to the next, if they are let into a field unfenced they will eat all of the quality first and trample the rest.
Properly fenced they will stay in great shape.
The crop should generally be cut between august and September when the quality is the best.
Water is not required if there is a decent amount of loose snow.
Your animals should be watched closely to make sure none of your animals are getting thin.
Older animals tend to eat the better quality where young cattle often are more timid and eat the straw components of the straw potentially affecting their weight.
Also watch for ice and crusting snow which will make it more difficult to get water.
Wind breaks are a good idea if there is not a large amount of bush to settle in during a cold windy night.
With proper management you can make your business run more efficient with the use of swath grazing.