Monitor grass growth to balance animal production with sward health

摘要

Mow well dairy cows, beef cattle or sheep perform while grazing, depends on how much they can eat and the nutritional quality of the grass they are consuming. Tall ryegrass/clover swards may be the ideal from an animal's perspective, but will not be s o good for the health and lifetime performance of the sward. Grazing grass to maximise intake will lead to wastage and poorer utilisation. "Farmers need to find a balance that optimises animal performance while protecting the sward," says IGER extension officer .Chris Duller, based at Aberystwyth.