Measuring Grass

1st June 2018

To improve grassland utilisation, it is beneficial to measure grass.

To improve grassland utilisation, it is beneficial to measure grass. The benefits of measuring grass are that it helps to understand the animals current and future forage requirement and allows you to plan and make management decisions early as to whether you have a surplus or deficit of grass and take action. This allows you to either baling excess grass or supplement feeding when there is a deficit. It also allows you to know what fields are performing best on your farm and highlights fields which need attention either reseeding or a soil test.

"If it cannot be measured it cannot be managed."

Sward height can be measured using a variety of methods and tool such as a welly boot, clippers and scales or a rising plate meter. An equation is then used to turn sward height into estimated herbage mass. The results can then be used to create a feed wedge.

The UK and Ireland use two different terms when referring to grass cover. The UK use total cover which looks at the total amount of grass in the paddock including the residual left post grazing. However in Ireland the term available cover is used which looks at the amount of grass available to be grazed by the animals in the field and therefore does not include the residual grass post grazing.

Target Pre-grazing Height = 8-10cm
2,600-3,000kg DM/Ha Total
1,000-1,500kg DM/Ha Available

Target Post-grazing height = 4cm
1,500kg DM/Ha Total
0kg DM/Ha Available

The grass growth rates from different paddocks can then be used to create a feed wedge like the example below. This is created using either a spreadsheet or software such as Agrinet or Pasturebase Ireland. This makes it easy to establish supply and demand and makes decision making easier to manage the grass on your farm.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss grass sampling and how to do it. If you have questions about managing your grass quality or about getting involved in our Soil Improvement Programme, please contact us.

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