With changing climate patterns effective pasture management becomes vital.
Add to that the warmer weather and longer daylight through spring and well into each summer – promoting rapid plant growth – means it is essential for farmers to optimise their pasture practices for livestock health and productivity.
And the ‘growing’ seasons – especially spring – highlight the importance of rotational grazing and proper pasture allocation.
On a recent visit to Justin Cooper’s 80 hectare property in Tasmania, the seasoned farmer and Gallagher territory manager shared his expertise on the principles and practices of rotational grazing.
This is the method, he asserts, which is essential for optimising pasture use and improving livestock management.
“Rotational grazing isn’t as challenging as it might seem,” Justin says.
“Once you master the basics, it becomes straightforward,” he explains.
Justin elaborated on the importance of proper pasture allocation to manage animal health and performance through seasonal conditions.
As the farm approaches calving season, Justin highlights the importance of managing the condition score of his cows.
“Currently, my cows are at a condition score of four. Ideally, I aim to lower this to three or three and a half to facilitate easier calving,” he also explains.
By utilising rotational grazing, he effectively holds the cows back, ensuring appropriate pasture allocation without overfeeding. Despite facing a ‘green drought’ due to erratic rainfall for the previous six months on the island, Cooper demonstrated his ability to maintain a robust feed bank established in the autumn.
“The challenge lies in extending this feed supply until October with minimal supplementary feeding,” Justin noted.
He also employs practical tools to estimate paddock sizes and allocate pasture efficiently. Which for Justin includes using an application called Measure Map to calculate paddock dimensions, ensuring accurate strip grazing practices. Strip grazing, he emphasised, is a cost-effective method for pasture management, allowing him to control the rotation speed of his cows.
To initiate strip grazing he determines the available dry matter in every hectare.
“This fence spans 200m and by moving it across 50m we cover a hectare, where we estimate around 2200kg of dry matter will be available per hectare,” Justin adds.
Understanding the feed requirements of livestock is another critical aspect of pasture management.
“Each class of stock demands a different amount of dry matter,” he says.
At the same time recommending the use of pasture calculators available from the MLA website at mla.com.au.
Cooper demonstrated two strip grazing techniques: creep feeding and leap feeding.
In creep feeding, cows receive a small portion of pasture daily, which requires reel movement every few days.
In leap feeding, two reels are used to manage larger feed allocations, minimising the need for constant readjustment.
Concluding his fencing network and livestock management strategy, Justin reassures everyone that strip grazing is manageable.
“It's all about basic calculations and utilising available resources,” Justin believes.
“Some of the available courses, such as Pasture Principles, are invaluable, especially as pasture bases vary by location,” he advises.
“Don't be intimidated by it. The more you practice, the more proficient you become.
“It’s a highly valuable method in my farming operations, “he concluded.
