Pasture Improvement Involves sowing selected species of grasses

Pasture Improvement Involves sowing selected species of grasses and legumes and managing its growth with fertiliser, irrigation, proper grazing, and weed control

Species Selection § List 5 factors a farmer needs to consider in selecting a pasture species

Factors in selection § § § 1. Compatibility 2. Suits local climate 3. Provides feed all year round 4. Provides nutrition 5. Palatable and digestible 6. Be persistent

Establishing Pasture § § Soil preparation Feriliser and lime application Weed control Direct drilling, oversowing, aerial sowing

Maintaining High Quality Pasture § For maximum growth keep pasture length between 7 cm and 18 cm. In late autumn allow stock to graze to 2. 5 cm to allow light to penetrate for tiller growth § Avoid treading damage which kills the crown and roots. § Maintain good phosphorous levels. (18 -20 kg/ha) § Keep p. H between 5. 7 and 6. 2 § Rotationally graze when feed is in short supply. § Rotational grazing or break fencing is a more efficient use of pasture as all the pasture is eaten and there is more time for pasture to recover.

Feed Quality Height (cm) 5 Protein Digestible Indigestible 10 15 Flowering

Optimising Pasture Growth § Fertiliser application – boosts pasture growth. Fertiliser is usually applied in spring or autumn when pasture growth conditions occur § Irrigation – in summer when soil moisture deficits occur. Irrigation increases grass growth and maintains pasture cover

Optimising Pasture Growth continued § Pasture species – choice of pasture species determines whether pastures can resist drought, disease, pest damage, intense grazing, pugging, certain soil type § Grazing mamagement § Topping