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| Many New Zealand farmers are managing pastures that have less than desired density of ryegrass and clover as a result of treading damage in winter, or insect and drought during the previous summers. |
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For pasture damage during winter, research carried out in Taranaki during the 1980s found that oversowing and undersowing ryegrass seed into damaged pastures increased dry matter production by 1-2t/ha in year one and year two following sowing.
A DairyNZ led industry group comprising researchers, seed industry and contractors have agreed on an approach for farmers faced with this situation. This group recommends farmers carry out a paddock by paddock assessment of the damage by ranking paddocks one to five based on the extent of damage. They should then use the tools suggested actions to establish a plan for each paddock.
Pasture Condition Score Tool
- Download the PDF of the tool: Pasture Condition Score Tool View PDF (311kb)
| Rank |
Description |
Image |
Suggested Action |
| 5 |
Whole paddock has dense sward of desired grasses and clovers |
|
No action required. Would be happy if whole farm in this state. |
| 4 |
Parts of the paddock show signs of low level damage, less vigorous grasses and some weeds |
 |
Check fertility. Apply summer N to encourage tillering. Paddock probably OK for coming season |
| 3 |
Majority of paddock has low level damage, weeds, and less vigorous grasses |
|
Apply summer N. Undersow in the autumn 2011 with perennial ryegrass containing appropriate endophyte |
| 2 |
Parts of the paddock have severe damage, a lot of weeds and bare ground |
|
Either:
|
| 1 |
Entire paddock severely damaged |
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