Editing Rotational grazing (section)

==Benefits==
Herd health benefits arise from animals having access to both space and fresh air. Freedom of movement within a paddock results in increased [[physical fitness]], which limits the potential for injuries and [[Abrasion (medical)|abrasion]], and sometimes depending on the system reduces the potential of exposure to high levels of harmful disease-causing [[microorganism]]s and insects.<ref name=PastProfit/>

In a [[concentrated animal feeding operation]] it is normal for a large number of animals to continuously occupy a small area. By comparison, with managed [[grazing]], the animals are able to live in a more natural environment. The animals experience less disease and fewer foot ailments, depending on the rotational system being used.

Managed rotational grazing is a key component of a [[regenerative agriculture]] system, as it functions as a constant feedback loop.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Jenileigh |date=January 20, 2023 |title=MANAGED ROTATIONAL GRAZING POLICIES: An Overview of Farm Bill Programs to Support Regenerative Agriculture |url=https://www.vermontlaw.edu/sites/default/files/2023-01/Managed-Rotational-Grazing.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=Center for Agriculture and Food Systems, Vermont Law and Graduate School |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126204257/https://www.vermontlaw.edu/sites/default/files/2023-01/Managed-Rotational-Grazing.pdf }}</ref> Rotational grazing has been said to be more environmentally friendly in certain cases. Many pastures undergoing certain types of rotational grazing are less susceptible to soil erosion. Paddocks might require fewer inputs. These grazing regimes are sometimes said to be more resilient and more capable of responding to changing environmental conditions.<ref>{{cite book|last=Archer|first=Steve, Fred E. Smeins|title=Grazing Management an ecological perspective edited by Rodney K Heitschmidt and Jerry W Stuth|page=Chapter 5|url=http://cnrit.tamu.edu/rlem/textbook/Chapter5.htm#index1|access-date=2013-04-09|archive-date=2021-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514204439/https://cnrit.tamu.edu/rlem/textbook/Chapter5.htm#index1|url-status=dead}}</ref> Rotational grazing may reduce [[greenhouse gas emissions]] such as carbon dioxide, [[nitrous oxide]]s, and methane.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bosch |first1=D. J. |title=Effects of rotational grazing on carbon dioxide emissions and greenhouse gas credits |journal=Journal of Soil and Water Conservation |date=1 March 2008 |volume=63 |issue=2 |pages=51A |doi=10.2489/jswc.63.2.51A |s2cid=130971926 }}</ref> One study looking at finishing stages suggested that adaptive multi-paddock grazing could result in a net [[carbon sink]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Stanley |first1=Paige L. |last2=Rowntree |first2=Jason E. |last3=Beede |first3=David K. |last4=DeLonge |first4=Marcia S. |last5=Hamm |first5=Michael W. |title=Impacts of soil carbon sequestration on life cycle greenhouse gas emissions in Midwestern USA beef finishing systems |journal=Agricultural Systems |date=May 2018 |volume=162 |pages=249–258 |doi=10.1016/j.agsy.2018.02.003 |s2cid=158453430 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2018AgSys.162..249S }}</ref> However, the study's authors have cautioned that the results are limited in scope as they are only looking at one stage of an experimental system. Other studies have also found some land may sequester just as much or more without any grazing.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Haspel |first=Tamar |date=2022-09-30 |title=Is carbon-neutral beef possible or a pipe dream? Soil may offer clues. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2022/10/03/beef-soil-carbon-sequestration/ |access-date=2024-05-30 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>