Feed wedge
After balance date the feed wedge is the best tool to manage pasture. A feed wedge shows the current pasture situation by ranking the paddocks based on average pasture cover. It allows you to make proactive decisions to manage a surplus or deficit.
- Data for a feed wedge should be obtained from a weekly pasture assessment where pasture is measured.
- Pastures are then ranked from highest to lowest. Adding a target line makes it clear where there is likely to be a surpluses or deficit in feed.
- The wedge identifies the grazing plan for the next round in terms of the sequence in which paddocks will be grazed.
- A feed wedge allows you to identify and anticipate a surplus (or a deficit) 10-14 days in advance
For more information see the pasture feed wedges page.
Identifying a pasture surplus
Surplus management is one of the greatest skills of pasture management and is critical to maximise pasture eaten and feed quality. A temporary pasture surplus, if not managed, allows ryegrass to grow to form stem and seed head, resulting in lower pasture quality.
Pasture management in late spring is based around providing high quality feed to the cows. Grazing residuals drives pasture quality and when growth exceeds demand, residuals will rise unless this surplus is managed.
Surplus management is all about anticipation. To get surplus management right requires weekly pasture assessment to predict feed surpluses before they happen.