Grazing should take place when light absorption is at its maximum. “Self shading”, where upper leaves block the sunlight from lower leaves, is a common phenomenon in tussock grass species. Grazing animals should be removed from the paddock when the leave to stem ratio is low, i.e. once all photosynthetic active leaves have been grazed. Be careful not to over graze, as over grazing damages expanding leaves and removes buds and meristems which hinders future growth.