Feeding and Grazing Practices for Multiple Species in Alaska: Problems and Prospects

Grazing is a low cost component of livestock production that is especially well suited to Alaska. There are a multitude of different grazing practices being advocated throughout the US with methods as diverse as the different ecosystems that support grazing animals.
 

“When properly applied, grazing systems are powerful tools that can help livestock managers achieve management objectives related to range-land and livestock production (e.g., forage production, average daily gain), as well as those related to ecosystem structure (e.g., wildlife habitat) and function (e.g., erosion control, water quantity and quality). However, selection of the proper grazing system is contingent upon the uniqueness of the setting in which it is applied (e.g., topography, soils, vegetation types, climate, etc.).” http://www.ag.arizona.edu/pubs/natresources/az1184.html

For most Alaska producers, agricultural grazing lands are limited, forage production highly variable and the grazing season is short. In an effort to foster sustainable livestock production at different scales and for different species, it is important to design grazing systems compatible with the diverse ecology of the state, specific to the species being raised and within the context of individual producer goals.

Fiber Production in Alaska – From Agriculture to Art