Spring arrived a couple of months ago and as temperatures warmed, forage species began to grow. This prompted producers to move their livestock off winter management programs and onto spring growth in their pastures. With the price of land and the limited availability of pasture due to conversion to cropland, getting the most out of available acres has become increasingly important. With proper management, producers can see an increase in pasture productivity, which can lead to increased profitability. Currently, there are two major types of forage management systems being used by producers. Continuous stocking allows animals unrestricted and uninterrupted access to grazing land. This type of management is simple and requires a low amount of fencing and water sources to be successful. Grazing livestock are allowed to use the plants in the pasture as they desire. Just like people, animals seek the plants that taste the best, also known as “ice cream” plants. In their search, they…