Efficient Pasture Management: Tim Thompson chats to a Gallagher expert

As spring approaches, effective pasture management becomes vital. The warmer weather and longer daylight promote rapid plant growth, making it essential for farmers to optimise their pasture practices for livestock health and productivity. This season highlights the importance of rotational grazing and proper pasture allocation.

In a recent visit to Justin Cooper's 200-acre property in Tasmania, the seasoned farmer and Territory Manager for Gallagher shared his expertise on the principles and practices of rotational grazing. This method, he asserts, is essential for optimising pasture use and improving livestock management.

"Rotational grazing isn't as challenging as it might seem. Once you master the basics, it becomes straightforward," he stated. 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 explained. 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 over the past six months, 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," he noted.

Justin employs practical tools to estimate paddock sizes and allocate pasture efficiently. He uses 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 a hectare, explaining, "This fence spans 200 meters. By moving it across 50 meters, we cover a hectare, where we estimate around 2200 kilograms of dry matter per hectare."

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 said, recommending the use of pasture calculators available on the MLA website.

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 reel adjustments.

Concluding his chat with Tim, Justin reassured that strip grazing is manageable. "It's all about basic calculations and utilising available resources. Courses like ‘Pasture Principles’ are invaluable, especially as pasture bases vary by location," he advised.

"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.

If you would like to discuss pasture management strategies with Justin or one of our other Gallagher experts, be sure to Contact us.

This content was developed in collaboration with Gallagher partner Tim Thompson.