Multispecies grazing or mixed species grazing is co-grazing of two or more species of livestock together or separately on the same land in a single growing season. Mixed species grazing may be based on sequential grazing (grazing by one species followed by another at different times) or co-grazing simultaneously of two or more species of livestock. The leading principle of both cases of mixed species grazing is the frequent movement of livestock in between paddocks and a sufficiently long resting period of the paddocks after they were grazed to restore the growth of the given pasture. In order to successfully implement this, a good fencing system with permanent and temporary electric fences must be established. With mixed grazing, we can improve the botanical composition of pasturelands and also increase the weight gain of the individual animal, in comparison to those in one species grazing systems. In current conditions on the karst regions and hilly grasslands, the most suitable species for grazing are goats with either cattle, horses, or pigs. It is important that we understand the benefits that can be gained from this kind of grazing management and know the characteristics of the grazing species so mixed species grazing system can be spread across the grasslands of Slovenia more successfully.
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