Livestock farmers wanting to get more from their grass this summer should be walking their fields at least once a week during spring to monitor pasture quality, according to Barenbrug UK.

Barenbrug, a leading developer of specialist grass seed for the agricultural sector, believe that farmers need to finalise their grassland management plans for the year ahead.

Knowing when to graze grass and for how long requires careful judgement, and the company advises farmers to conduct regular visual checks of the number of tillers present on their grass plants to avoid problems.

To maximise plant growth, grass quality, palatability and persistence, farmers should aim to graze between the second and third leaf stage, or earlier if canopy closure has occurred.

Latham Gibbins, regional sales manager at Barenbrug, said: “As the spring flush gathers momentum, and as grass cover builds, it can become difficult to keep an eye on quality, which can hamper any decision making left to the last minute.

"That’s why we are advising farmers to head out into the fields now.

"As a general rule, it’s good practice to walk your fields weekly from February to October to look at grass growth.

"But this is particularly important at the start of the season, where there is a relatively small window to influence pasture quality.

“In spring you need to look at your grass regularly to see how it’s growing and work out if any remedial work is required.

"You also need to keep a really close eye on leaf emergence rates as the weather warms up.

"What you see should dictate turn out times and decisions about grazing rotation length.

"Graze too early or too late, or get your grazing pressure wrong, and you run the risk of damaging your sward and suffering set backs with yields and nutritional quality later in the year.

"Once you’ve decided when to graze and for how long, don't get complacent. Walk your fields at least once a week throughout the season.

"Swards conditions can change quickly depending on the weather and you may need to alter your plans and adjust your grazing pressure accordingly.”

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For more information please visit barenbrug.co.uk