Pasture Management Strategies for Optimal Grazing

Pasture refers to land covered with grass and low-growing plants suitable for grazing animals such as cattle, goats, and sheep, among others. In livestock production, pasture is crucial for feeding the animals and serving as bedding for some, such as calves.

Large-scale ley farming requires the use of improved breeds to maximize feed production. For example, dairy farming often funds the establishment of leys.

The farmer must also be aware of the challenges of excess herbage production during the rainy season and insufficient herbage during the dry season. Hence, the farmer should devise means of conserving forage where possible.

The three methods of preserving pasture are: natural drying (haymaking), artificial drying, and the making of silage.

Examples of pasture grasses include: leaves, smooth bromegrass, meadow bromegrass, creeping red fescue, and orchard grass, among others.

Procedures for Pasture Establishment

1. Site surveying: Any soil from average to good fertility is suitable for leys, provided it is not waterlogged. Special seed mixtures may be required for dry areas, sandy, or rocky soils.

2. Preparation of the seedbed: Remove any excess grass, bushes, and trees, and then perform the first plowing. Allow 2-3 weeks for the debris to decompose. You can directly plant pastures on grassland or bushes, but it's recommended to grow at least one arable crop first.

If the land has many weeds and is full of roots, a second plowing may be required. After 1-2 weeks, use a disc harrow to level the soil and prepare it for planting.

Before planting grass, the seedbed should be firm with fine soil on the surface, similar to that of a used bed. This condition can be achieved by using a Cambridge roller.

The land should be free of persistent weeds, especially couch grass (Digitaria Scalarum), star grass (Cynodon dactylon), and sword grass (Imperata cylindrica).

You can apply some phosphate fertilizer to the seedbed at a rate of 250 kg/hectare before planting. Phosphates are beneficial for root initiation.

3. Time of sowing: This should be done as soon as possible after the start or before the beginning of the rainy season. At least six weeks of rain is required for the grasses to establish after sowing.

4. Method of sowing: Divide the area to be sown into approximately half a hectare each, since the seeds are usually supplied in enough quantity for one hectare.

Further, subdivide each plot into 20 or 10 strips, and do the same to the seeds to ensure that they are distributed evenly over the field.

The seeds can be mixed with either dry earth or sow dust, and then broadcast early in the morning or late in the evening when it is cool or when there is little wind.

Cover the seeds with a layer of soil using a light harrow or a leafy branch. If the soil is very wet and sticky, wait for one or two days before planting. It is not advisable to plant immediately after rain.

5. Seed rates: This is the amount of seed per unit area. This ranges between 5-10 kgs/hectare for grasses and 2-3 kgs/hectare for legumes.

Recommended seed rates are normally supplied with purchased seeds. For locally harvested seeds, it may be necessary to carry out germination trials before planting.                          

Note: The germination trial is done in a dish over soaked filter paper.

Qualities of a Good Pasture Plant

1. Ability to regenerate fast after being browsed.
2. Ability to withstand trampling.
3. It must be highly palatable.
4. It must possess a high value of nutrients.
5. Ability to withstand extreme climatic conditions.
6. It should have moderate moisture content or be succulent.
7. It must have a high leaf-to-stem ratio.

Management During Pasture Establishment

Legumes germinate after 1 week, but grasses may not be visible until after 2-3 weeks. Arable weeds are prolific (high yielding) and after 4-6 weeks, they may appear to cover the whole field.

If there are thick and tall plants in some places, they should be slashed or hand-pulled. The majority of these weeds will disappear after the first grazing.

Cattle should never be allowed on the pasture until after 3-6 weeks. During this period, fence off the boundary of the field if it has not been done so. When the grasses are about a foot tall, allow cattle to graze lightly for 2-3 days / then slash it. The purpose is to encourage the growth of tillers and spreading.

After that, remove the cattle to allow re-growth before full grazing, which is usually 4-6 weeks later. The right time for grazing after establishing pasture is about 3 months.

Before the full grazing, divide your field into paddocks if it has not been so, and after 10-12 weeks from sowing, when the grasses are beginning to flower, cattle should be brought into the 1^st paddock to begin grazing.

Late Management in Pasture Establishment

Depending on the size, the number of animals, and the density of the pasture, cattle should remain in the first paddock for 5-6 days. They should then be moved to the second paddock for the same duration and so on.

Each paddock should be utilized for 15-18 days to ensure a good supply of fresh, green herbage.

Nine months after the date of sowing, the farmer may apply nitrogen fertilizers to maintain vigorous green pastures. The recommended rate of application is around 125 kg per hectare of sulphate of sodium nitrogen or Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN).

Nitrogen fertilizers are essential, especially during the beginning and end of the rainy season, to stimulate growth.

As the pastures age, the Nitrogen rate should be increased to 185-250 kg per hectare in the 2nd and 3rd years of pasture life. It is important to note that if nitrogen fertilizer is added, too much legume should not be incorporated, as the grass will suppress its growth.

Unpalatable materials should be slashed once or twice a year to prevent accumulation.

The suggested stocking rate is one adult cow per 2/3 of an acre of grass in the first two years of the pastures' life when nitrogen fertilizer is not used.

If nitrogen is applied, the rate can be ½ to 2/3 of an acre per cow in the first two years of the pasture's life. To prevent overgrowth and damage to the pasture at the end of the dry season and early in the wet season, additional areas of natural pastures should be kept in reserve.

For example, areas covered with elephant grass or swamp grazing, well-planted and managed pastures should last for 3-5 years.

Common Practices in Pasture Management

1. Obtain maximum herbage yield with the highest possible nutritive value throughout the year at the lowest possible cost, with no reduction in coconut yields.
2. Keep pasture productive and prevent any overall decline in quality.
3. Maintain a good grass-legume balance.

Note: The factors that affect pasture management are soil, climate, pests, and grazing on each particular species.

Conclusion

In conclusion, establishing and managing a productive pasture is crucial for successful livestock farming. Proper site surveying, preparation of the seedbed, and timely sowing are important steps in the establishment process. It is essential to select high-quality pasture plants that can regenerate quickly, withstand trampling, and offer nutritional value to the animals.

During the establishment phase, careful management is required, including controlling arable weeds, gradually introducing grazing, and dividing the pasture into paddocks. Regular monitoring and maintenance, such as slashing unpalatable materials and applying nitrogen fertilizers as needed, will help maintain vigorous and green pastures.

Overall, effective pasture management practices aim to maximize herbage yield, maintain good grass-legume balance, and ensure the long-term productivity of the pasture. By implementing these practices, farmers can provide their livestock with high-quality forage throughout the year, leading to healthier animals and improved farming outcomes.