Pasture Report: Week of April 23rd, 2012

Cool and dry conditions have slowed grass development. Do not start grazing until the grass has the 3^rd leaf emerged (a minimum of 7 to 10 cm) and then rotate quickly between paddocks. Management during the first round of rotational grazing can affect the productivity of the pasture for the rest of the summer; do not graze shorter than 7 to 10 cm. The residual forage is what grows more forage for the next rotation. Livestock should be rotated quickly so that the last paddock in the rotation is grazed before the seed heads emerge.