Pasture management

Question 1

what is rough grazing?

Answer 1

common land, little or no additional inputs

Question 2

What is permanent pasture?

Answer 2

Land in ‘grassland’ production
Fields that make cultivation difficult
Likely to have more diverse plant species

Question 3

What are short term leys/temporary pasture?

Answer 3

Usually part of arable rotation
Better quality land
Grass grown as crop
Grazing or conservation

Question 4

What is continuous grazing?

Answer 4

few fields rather than lots of paddocks
different fields grazed during day and night

Question 5

Why type of field is most likely to be grazed with a continuous system?

Answer 5

permanent pastures

Question 6

What is zero grazing?

Answer 6

grass is cut and carted to livestock daily

Question 7

What are the pro and cons of zero grazing?

Answer 7

Pros:
- high output per hectare
- quality can be controlled
- integrated with silage making
Cons:
- high cost of machinery and labour
- risk of breakdowns
- no fresh faeces on pasture

Question 8

What is rotational grazing>

Answer 8

lots of paddocks
3-4 week rotations

Question 9

What is a paddock grazing system?

Answer 9

divides field into paddocks
rotate livestock to graze and rest grass

Question 10

What is strip grazing and how can it be used to increase intakes and decrease spoilage?

Answer 10

Use of temporary fencing to control access to fresh grazing
Allows restricted feeding and reduces waste
Prevents defecation/urination of fresh material
Allows extra grass to be conserved

Question 11

What is back fencing and what is the benefit?

Answer 11

Temporary fences to protect recently grazed areas
allows quicker recovery

Question 12

what are the pros and cons of no fence fencing?

Answer 12

pros:
- flexibility in grazing management
- reduced physical barriers
- adaptability
Cons:
- relies on tech
- initial cost
- learning curve for animalsa

Question 13

Why are leader/follower systems used in paddock or rotational systems?

Answer 13

Allows for even forage utilisation
prevents overgrazing
improve pasture health
minimises trampling damage
optimises animal nutrition
mimic natural grazing behaviour
enhanced pasture productivity
Reduces soil erosion

Question 14

What is forward/creep grazing?

Answer 14

allowing small group (often young or lactating animals) to access pasture first to optimise nutrition of herd

Question 15

What is poaching?

Answer 15

damage to turf caused by feet of livestock

Question 16

Where is poaching most likely to occur

Answer 16

highly-stocked fields in wet conditions
Around inappropriately or overflowing water troughs

Question 17

How is poaching reduced on dairy farms where cattle are brought in to milk often

Answer 17

Well designed laneways
Rotational grazing
Strategic gate placement
Rest periods for pasture
Correct stocking density
Stone or gravel paths
Regular monitoring of pasture
Strategic water trough placement

Question 18

What is deferred grazing? why do this?

Answer 18

leaving a section of pasture ungrazed for extended period
Improve biodiversity which enhances pasture quality

Question 19

what is the difference between italian and perennial ryegrass, when would they be used

Answer 19

Italian:
- completes lifecycle in 1 year and establishes quickly
- high quality forage but short lifespan
- used to provide high quality forage in winter months
Perennial:
- high quality pasture that grows slowly with long lifespan
- used for long-term pasture

Question 20

why would a patch high in clover by used for finishing weaned lambs?

Answer 20

clover is high in protein

Question 21

compare rotational and continuous grazing in terms of controlling worm burdens

Answer 21

Continuous - worming
Rotational - partial evasion of worms

Question 22

Describe grass hay

Answer 22

Nutrient rich
derived from various grass species
provides essential fibre for digestive health
supports natural foraging and contributes vital nutrients

Question 23

Describre grass haylage

Answer 23

preserved forage made fom grass harvested at higher moisture than grass hay
undergoes fermentation than sealed airtight
preserves natural nutrients and enhances palatability

Question 24

Describe grass silage

Answer 24

fermented and preserved feed made from chopped grass
anaerobic fermentation preserves nutritional value
correct storage important

Question 25

Describe wholecrop cereal silage

Answer 25

preserved feed made from entire cereal plant
fermentation for preservation
nutritious feed
correct storage important

Question 26

What is chain harrowing?

Answer 26

spreading faecal material and soil from poaching

Question 27

What is topping

Answer 27

cutting off mature stemmy material to allow more young regrowth

Question 28

Wht are the effects of grazing animals on pasture?

Answer 28

Feet - poaching
Faeces - suppresses growth of grass
Urine - uneven scorches on pasture
Pathogens

Question 29

What is clean grazing?

Answer 29

annual rotation of grass fields to different animals
Break worm lifecycles