- Average Pasture Cover (APC) is an estimate of pasture quantity on the farm.
- Maintaining APC above 1800kg DM/ha in early spring and between 2000-2400kg DM/ha throughout the season will help maximise growth rates.
- When average pasture cover is low (and the rotation length is not slowed) this may result in pastures being grazed before the 2 leaf stage. Grazing at (or before) the 2-leaf stage reduces growth rates and compromises total pasture DM production.
- By observing changes in pasture cover on a week by week basis, the grazing manager is in a good position to respond to changes in APC before they become critical.
Average Pasture Cover and Pasture Growth Rates in Spring

