Pasture late summer strategies

This guide addresses the fundamental principles for effectively managing pasture resources during this challenging period, paying particular attention to maintaining livestock body condition, optimising feed allocation, and preparing paddocks for renewal.

Paddock assessment and selection for re-grassing

One of the most important strategic decisions during late summer is identifying paddocks that may require renewal in the coming season. Proper paddock assessment is fundamental to developing a successful re-grassing programme that will deliver long-term improvements in farm productivity. The most effective approach involves measuring pasture performance through rising plate meters, visual yield estimates from regular farm walks, and analysis of grazing records to calculate individual paddock growth rates and performance.

Identifying and managing weeds is critical for the paddock's future productivity. Removing weed contaminants is an important factor; consider plant backs and possible residuals. For operations without comprehensive measurement systems, visual assessment tools provide an alternative methodology, with rankings from one to five based on visual scores, helping establish management plans for each paddock. Once underperforming paddocks are identified, it is essential to investigate the underlying causes of poor performance before committing to a renewal programme.

Critical factors include soil fertility status, drainage adequacy, pest pressure, and soil compaction. Soil testing should identify deficiencies, with particular attention to pH levels and nutrient availability. Lime should be applied well in advance to counteract acidity. Drainage issues must be addressed, as poor drainage limits production and contributes to soil pugging damage during wet periods. Soil compaction can be detected through spade testing, and where identified, subsoil cultivation may be required.

Body condition score management

Maintaining appropriate body condition in breeding stock throughout late summer and into autumn is fundamental to achieving production targets. As mid-season pasture quality declines, body condition gain typically slows considerably, with animals potentially losing condition during January and February in warmer regions.

Assessment of livestock body condition during mid-February through mid-March provides critical information for autumn management decisions. A range of complementary strategies can achieve body condition targets, including drafting animals into separate groups based on current condition, age, and production stage. Adjustments to feeding frequency and the operation of multiple separate mobs with different feeding protocols may also be appropriate. Supplementary feeding programmes during critical periods can make substantial differences to animals reaching target condition scores.

Managing pasture resources and grazing

Effective late summer pasture management balances immediate feeding requirements against maintaining pasture health for autumn. Good grazing management maximises pasture growth and utilisation while ensuring adequate recovery following dry periods. Where dry conditions persist, avoid over-grazing—frequent intensive grazing before plants reach the threeleaf stage significantly reduces tiller recovery and regrowth time. Continue monitoring feed demand and review requirements following pregnancy testing. Evaluate remaining summer crop yields and consider autumn pasture renewal or feed crop establishment where appropriate.

Post-drought recovery and nitrogen management

Following extended dry periods, rainfall of fifty millimetres or more typically returns soil moisture deficits to within 15 percent of field capacity, representing a meaningful drought break. Apply nitrogen after 20-25mm of rain, though following severe drought, delay applications for two weeks as the soil contains good mineralised nitrogen reserves and pastures need recovery time. Available pasture can halve after rain as dead material rapidly decays – up to 50 percent of pre-rain pasture is lost. Have supplementary feed ready, as the amount required may double in the first seven to ten days. Maintain a slow rotation during initial recovery to increase pasture cover, resisting the temptation to speed up rotation and fully feed from pasture alone.

Sowing timing for pasture renewal

Ensure any pasture renewal is a quality job, target autumn pests where possible and graze pastures at the right time (2.5-3 leaves). Grazing ryegrass pastures too early reduces autumn growth and too late reduces quality. Sowing date profoundly affects establishment success, yield, and persistence. Early sowing after 25th February allows plants to develop over 20 tillers before the following summer, crucial for density and resilience. Early sowing in dry conditions with treated seed provides faster establishment, higher yields, and superior long-term persistence compared to later sowing dates.

Focus on leaving consistent post-grazing residuals

Complete an autumn feed budget to identify feed shortages. To plan autumn rotation targets, assess whether winter feed demand will exceed or fall short of pasture growth. Use this information, along with growth rates and leaf stages in autumn, to set suitable rotation lengths. Monitor the leaf stage in your pastures, as leaf appearance is largely affected by temperature and water availability, taking longer in colder or drier conditions.

Autumn nitrogen

If your average pasture cover is below target, additional N-fertiliser may help autumn pasture growth rates. Allow enough time between fertiliser application and grazing, and ensure weather or other factors won't limit N-responses. Applying liquid fertiliser (UAN) to boost your pastures can be strategically optimised by considering temperatures and grazing times, as the response occurs after a week to ten days after application.