GUIDELINES TO GOOD PASTURE FORMATION
Solving the management problem
A very simple way to avoid mismanagement is to allow for the regrowth of grass right after grazing.
A way to achieve this is through rotational grazing. Rotational grazing is where the grazing animals are moved from paddock to paddock to allow the remainder of the pasture to rest and recover.
An example of how to utilize rotational grazing is shown below:
Height based pasture management
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.
GUIDELINES TO GOOD PASTURE FORMATION
Solving the management problem
A very simple way to avoid mismanagement is to allow for the regrowth of grass right after grazing.
A way to achieve this is through rotational grazing. Rotational grazing is where the grazing animals are moved from paddock to paddock to allow the remainder of the pasture to rest and recover.
An example of how to utilize rotational grazing is shown below:
Height based pasture management
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.