Successful pasture utilisation requires precise control of the grazing pressure and herd structure of the beef business. This tool provides the basis to determine how pasture can be successfully turned into saleable beef to profit the farm business.
By using the formulas provided, following the examples and then inserting your own working examples, you will be able to:
• Estimate stocking rate over short periods;
• Make tactical grazing decisions about the short-term stocking rate/ha;
• Plan seasonal pasture and animal performance to achieve targets; and
• Calculate the gross financial benefit to the grazing business.
This information enables the grazing operation to be more precisely managed. The conversion of pasture energy and nutrients into saleable beef is achieved while leaving pasture residue in the best condition for rapid regrowth. It will also better match the seasonal feed supply with beef enterprise opportunities and business objectives.
PROGRAZE information
To make the best grazing management decisions some basic PROGRAZE or equivalent information is required.
Information required for grazing management decisions
• The amount of pasture (kg DM/ha) in a paddock, grazing block or whole farm
• Pasture quality (MJ ME/kg DM)
• Pasture growth rate (kg DM/ha/day)
• The stock to be grazed and the target weight gain required (kg/head)
