Module 7 Grow More Pasture
Introduction
‘Pasture’ is any material being grazed by livestock, including annual and perennial pastures, forage crops, browse shrubs, dual purpose cereals and stubbles.
Although the pasture base and range of options differ, the procedures to ensure productive pasture systems are basically the same for properties with crop/pasture rotations and those with permanent pastures.
The components of pasture growth (this module) and pasture utilisation (MMFS Module 8 Turn Pasture into Product) are strongly interrelated (see figure 7.1). Apart from rainfall, all of the factors affecting pasture growth and utilisation are within your control as the farm manager.
The productivity and profitability of many grazing enterprises in the high rainfall and sheep-wheat zones of Australia can be greatly improved by increasing the amount of pasture grown. The quantity and quality of pasture, and when it can be grown, underpin strategic decisions such as time of lambing, flock structure, stocking rates and target markets. The health and fertility of the soil and stage of growth at which pasture is grazed have a major effect on pasture growth and quality. Developing your production system in areas that influence pasture growth and utilisation will boost your productivity and profitability.
Figure 7.1 Pasture production and grazing management in context.
Pasture is the cheapest source of feed for all grazing-based livestock enterprises; growing more quality feed at the right times of the year can create opportunities for you to increase stocking rates, increase lamb growth rates and reduce reliance on supplementary feeding.
This module contains three procedures, designed to help you grow more and better-quality pasture on your property. Getting these procedures right will allow you to make best use of your farm’s physical resources such as rainfall, sunlight and soil type. Even though the environment presents some constraints, management has a large impact on how much pasture can be grown throughout the year and between years. This makes it difficult for sheep producers to know where to invest their time and dollars. Tool 7.1 is a ‘decision tree’ to help you work through the options so you can move straight to the procedure that is most likely to give the biggest gains.
Build and maintain soil fertility – one of the most cost-effective investments than can be made in a grazing enterprise.
Graze to keep desirable species productive and dominant – using grazing management and protection at vulnerable times.
Establish new pastures – weigh up the benefits, costs and risks of sowing new pastures and prepare a developmental budget.
