Reading this book is like attending a personal workshop designed to help you and your farm.
In her fantastic book, The Art and Science of Grazing, Sarah Flack gives the reader the information they need to properly manage pastures and grazing on the farm for the betterment of their livestock. She takes all the components one must consider in pasture management and lays them out in an easy to read and understand format, without skipping the science of how all the components fit together.
The book covers not only the needs of the pasture plants, soil, and livestock, but also explains how to set up the most suitable grazing system for the farm. She is able to explain what is happening in different grazing systems in a scientific way, while also reminding readers to focus on the art form, which is the observation of the livestock and plants, interpreting those observations, and finding ways to solve problems and improve production over time.
There are many helpful topics covered in the book, from understanding the basic needs of the pasture plants, setting up new or augmenting existing pasture systems, calculating acreage for livestock grazing density, design and implementation of fencing, consideration for watering systems, and even grazing in the wintertime.
Throughout the book, many pictures and illustrations are included to help out the farmer; practical examples are also presented from those working in farms located in different areas of Canada and the United States. This book would be a valued addition to any farm or ranch that wants to improve or maximize their grazing capabilities. It has been a much referenced book on our organic farm since we first got it.
You can find this book and many more in the COG Library here. Books are shipped across Canada for free!