About the Grazing Wedge
Sward Wedge and Rotational Grazing
As a guide average farm sward height or cover should be the mid point between pre-graze sward height/cover and post graze sward height/cover. As defined by the target bounds.
Ideal situation: the wedge will follow the target line
Rotational Grazing Feed Wedge Graph- Ideal Situation
- Good grass availability in the short term.
- Measure sward when reminder appears in calendar :(set reminder button )or in March - June measure again in 3-4 days, July - November measure again in 1 week
Grass shortage imminent: several fields below the target line
Rotational Grazing Feed Wedge Graph-Shortfall Imminent
- Looming shortfall!
- Short Term Actions:
- Increase grazing area
- Introduce a forage buffer
- Creep feed suckling calves and lambs
- Wean stock
- Aim to increase sward height /pasture mass to improve re-growth and animal performance.
Measure sward when reminder appears in calendar :(set reminder button )or in March - June measure again in 3-4 days, July - November measure again in 1 week
Grass surplus imminent: several fields above the target line
Feed Wedge Graph Surplus Imminent
- Short term surplus
- Close some of the grazing area for silage or as a buffer feed
- Top to maintain quality
- Aim to decrease sward height/pasture mass IN THE GRAZING AREA to improve re-growth and animal performance
- Measure sward when reminder appears in calendar :(set reminder button )or in March - July measure again in 3-4 days (twice a week) ,August - end of October measure again in 1 week (once a week). For the remainder of the year measure once a month.
Sward Wedge and Continuous Grazing Systems
As a guide average farm sward height or cover should be at the grazing height guideline and the wedge should be a block
Ideal situation: the wedge follows the target line
Continuous Grazing Feed Wedge Graph- Ideal Situation
- Good grass availability in the short term Measure sward when reminder appears in calendar :(set reminder button )or in March - June measure again in 3-4 days, July - November measure again in 1 week
Grass shortage imminent: wedge below the target line
Continuous Grazing Feed Wedge Graph- Shortfall Imminent
- Looming shortfall!
- Short Term Actions:
- Increase grazing area
- Introduce a forage buffer
- Creep feed suckling calves and lambs
- Wean early
- Aim to increase sward height /pasture mass to improve re-growth and animal performance
- Measure sward when reminder appears in calendar :(set reminder button )or in March - June measure again in 3-4 days, July - November measure again in 1 week
Surplus of grass imminent: the wedge will be above the target line
Continuous Grazing Feed Wedge Graph- Surplus Imminent
- Short term surplus
- Close some of the grazing area for silage or as a buffer feed
- Top to maintain quality
- Aim to decrease sward height /pasture mass IN THE GRAZING AREA to improve re-growth and animal performance
- Measure sward when reminder appears in calendar :(set reminder button )or in March - July measure again in 3-4 days (twice weekly), September - November measure again in 1 week (once weekly). Once a month for the rest of the year.
|
IBERS, Grassland Development Centre: 01970 823026
E-mail: GDCstaff@aber.ac.uk, Web page: www.grassdevcentre.co.uk
GDC, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth,
Ceredigion, SY23 3EB
|