Get the best start to the grazing season
An effective spring turnout can make or break the grazing season, and while the weather will of course play an important role, quality pasture management will be key.
Grass plants have three fully viable leaves. A fourth will grow but the first will die away. Allowing this to happen is a waste and reduces plant establishment. For those without a plate meter, using the three-leaf method is an accurate method determining the optimum point to graze pasture.
The first grazing round is typically low in volume but often surprisingly high in dry matter, so do not delay turnout if ground conditions allow. Getting a good head start on the rotation will help farmers cope with higher growth rates in May.
‘Turnout’ doesn’t have to mean cows are out all the time. Kennedy et al (2009), showed restricting time at pasture improved grazing efficiency by increasing intake per bite and per minute.
Restricting access time when cows are grazing to approximately three hours twice a day ensures efficient pasture intake without impacting too negatively on wet ground. Research suggests access time being split, as opposed to one prolonged period at grass, encourages intake per unit of time at grass and milk yield.
Adam Clay is NWF Head of Technical
