During this stage, pastures are growing at their fastest. Grazing management through the vegetative period should aim to meet animal production objectives, while being sensitive to the productivity and sustainability of the pasture. This can be achieved through various grazing tactics, including Strip Grazing, Grazing to Target FOO and Grazing to a Paddock Target.

Damage by leaf insects such as red legged earth mite and Lucerne flea at this time can be seen on leaves.  Limiting insect damage can be achieved by intensive grazing or by careful pesticide use (visit www.timerite.com.au for more details).

Tips:

Pastures are rapidly changing in winter with branching and thickening of stems and leaves, which will affect the Feed on Offer (FOO)visually.

Throughout August and September, pastures FOOs will appear shorter than in July. Clovers at the targets below will be very short and well branched.

Clover dominant pastures:	Grass dominant pstures	Mixed composition pastures:
1000 FOO	1500 FOO	800 FOO
1500 FOO	1600 FOO	1500 FOO
2000 FOO	2000 FOO	2000 FOO
2500 FOO	2500 FOO	2500 FOO

 

1500 average FOO paddock	2500 average FOO grassy pasture

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