Ranchers Promote Rotational Grazing for Grassland Recovery
Brothers Jerry and Jay Doan describe pasture rotation as a low-tech way to rebuild soil and grassland health.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Agriculture
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Ranchers Jerry and Jay Doan promoted regenerative agriculture through rotational grazing during a panel discussion. The Doan ranch moves livestock between pastures every one to seven days to restore land.
Why it matters
Tall grasslands have declined sharply, with an estimated 25% remaining in North Dakota and 4% across North America. Practices like rotational grazing are presented as accessible options for producers seeking to reverse that loss.
The Doan ranch rotates livestock every one to seven days, a practice the ranchers say rebuilds soil biology. Estimates put remaining tall grassland at 25% in North Dakota and 4% across North America, but the panel did not share measured soil or yield results.
The players
Jerry Doan
Jerry Doan is a North Dakota rancher who promotes regenerative agriculture and rotational grazing as practical methods for producers.
Jay Doan
Jay Doan is a rancher who has drawn comparisons between North American grasslands and South American grassland ecosystems.
The details
Jerry and Jay Doan explained that rotating cattle through pastures mimics the historic movement of wild bison herds, with intense grazing followed by long recovery periods. Jerry Doan said the approach requires no complex technology and that producers can begin by dividing a single pasture or planting diverse cover crop blends.
Historical Parallel
The Doan operation deliberately extends the grazing pattern of historic bison herds, which moved across tall-grass prairies in intense, brief bursts before long recovery periods. That historical model now serves as the blueprint for rotational systems meant to reverse grassland loss across North Dakota and the continent.
Producers and land managers can begin rotational grazing on a small scale by dividing one pasture or planting diverse cover crops without buying new technology. The approach asks for careful timing of livestock moves rather than major capital investment.
The takeaway
Restoring grassland may depend less on new equipment than on how and when livestock move across the land. Starting with one pasture offers a low-cost way to test the approach.
Further reading
Explore more on Agriculture to see how regenerative grazing practices are shaping North Dakota ranching.
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Should farmers be required to use regenerative practices to protect soil and public health?
