Grass Systems Flashcards
Why have grassland based livestock production systems?
- It’s cost effective 2. Grass supports good livestock performance 3. Maintains appearance of the countryside 4. Animals often more healthy
What is needed for grass growth?
Co2, sunlight, temperature, moisture, nitrogen
Describe grass growth after winter
Carbohydrates in leaves and stems
What is vegetative growth?
Most nutritious leaves, plants produce tillers which is highly palatable
What is reproductive growth?
Uses all energy to produce seed heads, need strong stem to support seed, not as nutritious
What is the correct ratio of fertilizer?
N:P:K @ 10:10:20
When is grass growth at its fastest/slowest?
Fastest during late spring/early summer
Slows down in late summer, autumn, winter
What is continuous / set stocking?
Free range, uncontrolled grazing. Occurs in a large field with few fences. Often used with beef, sheep and horses
What is rotational grazing?
Alternative cutting and grazing (1 day grazing, 21 days rest)
What is strip grazing?
Usually used with rotational grazing, use of temporary fences, prevents poaching/defaecating on large swards, grass ahead gets time to grow
What is leader follower grazing?
Young animals graze ahead of older animals, prevents reproductive growth
How is grass silage converted to acid?
Natural sugars in in grass converted to acid by anaerobic bacteria, can be more nutritious than hay
What is hay? how is it produced?
Grass with reduced moisture content. It is highly weather dependent, 4-5 days dry sunny period, highly labour intensive
Name some poisonous plants to cattle/horse/sheep
Common ragwort, bracken/fern, st. johns ragwort, laburnum, fox glove, oak, yew, deadly night shade
