The Rural Voice, 2003-05, Page 30said, as well as annual forages.
Stockpiled forages can be added late
in the year.
Controlling the use of the pasture
is also key to good management. By
controlling the amount of grazing
through use of a fencing system.
Stewart said the rest/recovery period
allows the forage to develop a strong
root system for healthier, more lush
growth.
Rest is the most important point to
maintaining a productive pasture.
Determining what rest is required
is a very hands-on practice, said
Stewart.
Farmers must get out and actually
walk the fields, or at least ride an
ATV. so they can learn about each
paddock and its rest requirements.
If there has been 80 per cent
removal of the tops, growth stops.
With 50 per cent removal, the
regrowth is not stopped. Therefore,
good management is needed.
Early in the season a good manager
may be able to allow just 20 days of
rest though late in the year or during
a drought, 30 may be needed.
"It depends on the growth period."
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26 THE RURAL VOICE
Fraser Stewart of the Manitoba
Forage Council spoke to Ontario
farmers recently about methods
for developing and maintaining
healthy and productive grazing
land.
said Stewart.
This is where knowledge of the
various species is important as they
should not be judged when the plant
is small.
Grazing should also be avoided
during the seeding period to allow
the forage to regenerate itself.
To ensure good management, a
system must be developed which
incorporates flexibility. Adaptability
to varying conditions is essential.
According to Stewart, there should
always be a Plan B.
As well as understanding forage
growth rates and controlling
livestock, Stewart said a stocking
rate, which is the animal -to -forage
ratio, has to be determined.
Based on experiences in Manitoba,
he said one acre should feed one
animal for 158 days. Another method
is to have 750 pounds of feeder
animal per acre. This number could
range as high as 1,000 pounds on
good pasture in Ontario.
When setting a stocking rate,
consideration must be given to the
fact that it will affect the daily weight
gains. "There is more competition for
the forages."
The key is finding the balance
between the number of animals to
Photo: Janice Becker