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Utilization of grassland

Grasslands is normally used in two different ways: Either for grazing or for cutting. The same field may be used for both purposes in the same season. Both uses have a number of different aspects to be considered.

Here is some general information - for more details see also the booklet "More Milk from Grass"

• Grazing
• Cutting
• General Management

Grazing

Grazing is by far the cheapest way of utilizing grassland (and feeding cows at all). In many parts of of the world it is also the only way when the grass area is either too dry, too wet or too hilly to be utilized by machines. In many cases grazing is carried out extensively with very low input.

Good grassland management is very essential part of the total result in the intensive grassland used in northwestern Europe. Grazing can be done in differents ways: 

• Continous Grazing
• Rotational Grazing 

In continous grazing, the cows (or sheep) are in the same area for a long periodof of time. The stocking rate is high, the number of fields 1-3 and the surplus of of grass in spring is used for silage.

 

The effect of continous stocking on the balance between photosynthesis, gross tissue production, herbage intake and death. 

Sourse of information: Parsons et al. From Frame: Improved Grassland Management, 1992

 

Cutting

In rotational grazing the area is divided into a number of fields, where the grazing animals stay for a few days in each. Surplus of grass is used for silage or hay and the stocking rate is high. Numer of fields can vary from 2 - 4 lj 10 - 14. Stripe grazing is a system of rotational grazing, where the cows are offered new grass every day - one stripe wich gives the necessary feed for one day of grazing.

 

For cutting, the principal ways of utilization are: 

• Silagemaking
• Haymayking
• Fresh feeding

 

Silage is used for winter feed. Often the amount of grass used for silage is only the surplus coming form the grazing fields in spring/early summer, but some farmers also have silage as their main grasscrop. 

making silage is a science of its own - very important is a good prewilting in the field, dry conditions when collecting the grass, no soil and other foreing matters in the grass, quick and efficient stacking of the grass in the clamp and very careful closing, so that the grass is left completely airtigth for the ensilling process. During this process the sugar in the grass is turned into different acids that preserve the grass. Sometimes is supported by adding acids, enzymes or extra sugar. Grasses are easier to ensile that legumes because of their higher sugar content.

Hay is another way of preserving grass for winter. Here the principle is to make the grass so dry, that t can be stored for a long time without being degraded. The problem with hay is often the wet climate in many areas, as haymaiking requries some days with dry weather.

Cutting grass for fresh feeding is a relatively expensive way, but ensures almost the same quality of feed every day. The cattle may be fed either inside or in a paddok used for feeding and exercise. 

 

General Management

A lot of measures must be taken by the farmer during the summer in order to keep the feeding constant and adequte. According to climate, number of animals, other feeding agents etc important factors are:  Правильный выбор травосмеси

• The rigth mixture for the purpose
• Good establishment
• Fertilization, irrigation, weed control etc.  
• Cutting at the right time (quality) 
• Grazing management:

        Sward heigth, clover/grass ralation, rotation between paddoks 

• reseeding/overseeding or renewing when necessary  

             

Effect of icreasing fertizer N application on grass and grass/cljver Swards. FROMFRAME: Improved Grassland Management 1992.

  

Sward renovation

Grassland is slowly degradeng over time. In the beginning, it consists of only sown species. After some time - depending on the climate, management etc. the field is taken over by weeds or wild spesies of grass, wich yield less and have liwer quality than the cultivated spesies. Renewing is therefore necessary.  

Grassland in rotation is routinely renewed every 2 or 3 years. This gives constantly good fields with high yields and good quality. Renivation is normally done by ploughing and seed of a new ley - often under a cover crop.

Grassland, which is not in rotation due to difficult soil conditions, may be renewed by overseeding. This is done by special machines, cutting away some of old sward and placing the seed in a slot or narrow seedbed. Some conditions must be fulfilled, for overseeding to be a success: 

reduce competition of old sward (defoliate by cutting, grazing, chemicals) 

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