Throughout January and February, the Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) delivered two indepth webinar series designed to help producers strengthen their grazing systems ahead of the 2026 season. Whether producers were new to rotational grazing or refining an existing system, both series offered practical, realworld insights they could apply immediately. 
 
Across the 10 sessions, five focused on small ruminants and five on bison, participants explored rotational grazing fundamentals, stocking for profitability, system design, application support and market strategies. Each free 90minute session paired technical guidance with producer case studies, handson tools and live Q&A with CFGA staff and guest experts, helping participants build confidence in their grazing decisions and prepare for a productive season. 
 
Small ruminant webinar series 
 
The five small ruminant sessions designed for sheep and goat producers guided participants through the full process of developing a strong rotational grazing program. It began with core grazing principles and a realworld example of how rotational systems improve pasture health and animal performance. Participants then learned how to assess pasture resources, calculate forage supply and stocking rates and use those numbers to evaluate profitability. 
 
A session on system design covered land base planning, water access, grazing charts and mapping tools, supported by another producer case study. Producers also received stepbystep guidance on completing applications, identifying eligible expenses and building a solid grazing plan. The series concluded with a focus on market signals, cost of production and practical marketing strategies, helping participants connect economic insights directly to onfarm decisionmaking. 
 
Bison webinar series 
 
The bison series mirrored the structure of the small ruminant program, with content tailored to the unique needs of bison operations. It began with an introduction to rotational grazing and how it supports bison health, pasture performance and longterm sustainability, supported by a producer example. Participants then learned how to assess pasture resources, calculate forage supply and stocking rates and use those insights to evaluate profitability. 
 
A session on system design explored land base planning, paddock layout, water systems and mapping tools, with a producer case study showing how design choices influence both animal behaviour and pasture outcomes. Producers also received detailed guidance on completing applications, identifying eligible expenses and developing a strong grazing plan. The series wrapped up with a focus on market trends, cost of production and marketing strategies, helping producers connect economic insights directly to onfarm decisions. 
 
Lessons learned – small ruminants 
 
Producers took away several practical insights from the small ruminant discussions that apply broadly across grazing systems. The speakers at the first small ruminant session, for example, emphasized the following tips: 

- Begin with a clear, simple grazing plan that maps existing infrastructure, proposed paddocks, water access and expected animal movement because this helps guide daytoday decisions and longterm improvements. 
- Use short grazing periods followed by adequate rest to protect plant vigour, maintain forage quality and support strong regrowth throughout the season. 
- Match stocking rates to actual forage supply and adjust as conditions change to avoid overgrazing and maintain pasture resilience. 
- Design paddocks with practical movement in mind to make rotations smoother and reduce stress on both animals and managers. This includes considering land base, natural barriers and water placement. 
- Keep good records using grazing charts or mapping tools to track days grazed, rest periods and forage response. This helps refine decisions year over year and strengthens future grazing plans. 
 
Lessons learned – bison 
 
The bison series offered its own set of practical lessons, including the following tips from the guest speaker in the first session: 
- Bison respond best to short grazing periods followed by adequate rest, which protects plant vigour and keeps pastures productive over the long term. 
- Watch the green wave – the flush of fresh, highly nutritious plant growth that moves across a pasture landscape as temperatures warm and plants begin actively growing – and move animals into paddocks when forage quality is at its peak, rather than waiting until plants are fully mature. 
- Since bison naturally balance their diets by selecting from grasses, sedges, forbs and legumes, maintain a diverse mix of forage species to support both nutrition and pasture resilience. 
- Monitor stocking pressure closely, especially during dry spells, to prevent overuse of preferred areas and maintain even grazing across the landscape. 
 
View the recordings 
 
Recordings of the sessions are available in the CFGA’s video library. 
 
Funding for this project in part has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund.