Planning should begin this month for maximum benefits of autumn grass

WELL managed autumn grass can provide a lot of very valuable feed, but in order to get the most benefit from it, planning should begin in August.

If there is surplus grass on the farm now, some paddocks may have to be taken out for silage, or fed to other stock, not left there to build up poor quality grass for autumn milk production.

The correct procedure should be followed for building up a supply of grass for autumn grazing. This procedure is to allow grass to build up by gradually lengthening the rotation from about 22 days in mid-August to 35 days in late September, on pastures that have been tightly grazed, cut for silage, or topped, and treated with adequate nitrogen. On wetter soils, care should be taken not to build up grass covers that cannot be grazed.