Dairy NZ

Maintain a consistent, even grazing height going into summer as pasture quality has a big impact on summer production. Ensure clumps are grazed into and that residuals are grazed to 3.5-4cm height.

Increasing residuals is not advised as:

• Ungrazed leaves are less efficient at capturing sunlight and die before the next grazing, reducing feed utilisation and the amount of feed grown
• When it rains, dead plant material rots and is lost. It also provides litter for growth of facial eczema spores.

When cows graze to a lower residual after a period of higher residuals: 

• Cow intake is reduced, as is the quality of the feed eaten
• The risk of facial eczema increases
• Pasture growth and persistence are reduced because pasture reserves for growth are depleted.

Consider applying 30 to 40kg N/ha in late November/early December:

• N going into summer promotes vegetative tiller growth and ryegrass persistence
• If the farm is prone to summer dry, N application coupled with longer rotations (27-30 days) will improve the feed supply into January.

Irrigated and summer 'safe' farms:

• Monitor pasture cover and maintain residuals to keep quality
• Harvest surplus by making small light silage crops – reducing the chance of
  creating a feed shortage
• Consider applying N during December to ensure new tillers are vigorous going into summer.