During this stage, pastures are actively growing. However, over-grazing can result in insufficient leaf area for maximum pasture growth. Moderate grazing pressure can be sustained once seedlings are 4-6 leaf stage.

General rule:

Higher FOO = higher leaf area = faster pasture growth
Grazing during the vegetative pasture phase is important to; Encourage tillering in grasses and branching in clovers, Assist in weed control, Maintain palatability by promoting young shoot growth

Tips:

Pastures are rapidly changing in winter with branching and thickening of stems and leaves. The heavier the grazing pressure, the more branching is encouraged, which will increase FOO levels but decrease the height of the pasture.

Throughout July and August, pastures FOOs will appear shorter than in June. Clovers will be shorter than grasses for the same FOO.

These photos are at a resolution for on screen viewing. To download a hard copy of these pictures,  please click on the image.

Clover dominant pastures:	Grass dominant pstures	Mixed composition pastures:
1000 FOO	500 FOO	900 FOO
1200 FOO	1000 FOO	1000 FOO
1500 FOO	1500 FOO	1300 FOO
1800 FOO	2000 FOO	1500 FOO

 

1000-1200 average FOO paddock (1st year pasture)	1600 average FOO grassy pasture

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