Grassland Management for Stud Farms – A Practical Approach Fiona Mc Kenna B.Agr.Sc., M.Sc.

What is Quality Pasture? Good grass cover Thick sod and deep root system Optimum soil fertility and pH Free from weed infestations Free draining

What will Soil Analysis show? Type of soil Fertility of the soil Soil pH Nutrient deficiencies Fertiliser and liming recommendations

What are the Soil Nutrients? Macronutrients – Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur Micronutrients – Boron, Chlorine, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Zinc, Nickel, Cobalt, Iodine and Selenium

What is Soil pH? Soil pH can range between 3 – 8 Optimum pH between 6.0 and 7.0 Effects the nutrient availability to plants Effects the microbial activity in the soil Acid pH requires liming

Why Fertilise? Replace nutrients removed Improve soils that are naturally infertile Fertilisation of soils is recycling Types: Organic and Inorganic

Types of Fertiliser Organic – animal waste and manure - Slow releasing and longer lasting -Improves the soil texture Inorganic – artificial N, P and K - Quick reaction and fast growth

Benefits of Forage Analysis Profile of the nutrients Highlights nutritional deficiencies Balance feeding as required Manage and reduce cost of feed budget

Grassland Management Grass is the most economic feed available Efficient use can reduce the feed bill Take a long term approach Yearly grassland management plan

Grassland Management Topping – essential during the growing season, start mid May to maintain quality Harrowing – spreads manure, levels ground, lifts dead grass Rolling – effective for poached ground, use only when required

Grassland Management Mixed grazing – cattle and sheep Spiking – useful for shallow compaction Direct drilling or broadcasting of new seed Ploughing – last resort for plough pan, horse sick pasture, excessive ragwort

Weed Management Docks – soil with a high N content Buttercup – soil with poor drainage Ragwort – the ever lasting problem Top weeds before seed establishment Good grass cover suppresses weed growth

Which Grass Species? Grasses – Red fescue, cocksfoot, meadow grasses, crested dogs tail, timothy, ryegrass, white clover Herbs – Dandelion, yarrow, ribwort plantain, chicory, burnet

Nutritional Value of Grass? Grasses have different nutrient values Dependant on soil nutrients Maturity of the grass Time of year

Grass Cover Close paddocks in October/ November for spring grazing Poor grass cover will lead to poaching and a slower recovery period Open cover is an opportunity for weeds

Rotation, Rotation, Rotation Identify winter/summer paddocks 3 to 5 weeks recovery period after tight grazing during growing season Winter rotations can be less frequent - increase area size, good grass cover

Key Points For Quality Pasture Maintain good grass cover Regular topping of paddocks Mixed grazing with cattle and sheep Rotation of paddocks Maintain soil fertility and pH All weather paddock or feeding area