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A rotational grazing system can improve pasture production, utilisation and persistence. Moving stock around a small number of paddocks, grazing each for a fixed time, is an easy way to get started. This simple approach can be introduced to trial the system and build confidence. Tactics To start a simple 4-paddock rotation: Combine animals . . . → Read More: Simple rotational grazing Background information This procedure is about maximising pasture utilisation without compromising pasture cover at critical times. In short, how to make animal demand fit your pasture supply. Getting a good match between animal demand and pasture supply is the basis of turning pasture into product. However, further gains can be made by grazing method and paddock subdivision. In environments where rainfall and pasture production are more variable between . . . → Read More: Match feed supply for your sheep to animal demand Background information Now that pasture supply and variability are known you need to estimate your annual animal demand for the enterprises in your business. Flexibility with stock numbers during the year and between years is a key element of matching animal demand to pasture supply and managing risk. How flexible you can be with stock numbers will depend on your enterprise structure and goals, value of stock, disease . . . → Read More: Know the feed requirements for your sheep Background information When are the best, worst and most unreliable periods for pasture growth on your farm? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you make the right strategic decisions for your sheep enterprise. The first and most critical step is to more reliably predict pasture availability across the year. Once you understand . . . → Read More: Know your feed supply for sheep on your farm Individual pasture and forage species have specific grazing requirements. You can use these requirements to increase or maintain that species in the pasture or to decrease a species, eg, to increase the relative contribution of other species in the mixture. The table below contains species specific information and the following are some general rules . . . → Read More: Grazing management guidelines for individual species of pasture The levels described in the following tables apply to tests performed by accredited laboratories using procedures defined by the Australian Soil and Plant Analysis Council (ASPAC) proficiency testing program. Sheep producers are advised to use only ASPAC accredited soil testing laboratories. Check the accreditation status of your regular soil testing providers on the website: . . . → Read More: Interpreting soil tests |
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