According to advice from Dairy Australia, keeping on top of grazing residuals is one of the most important things farmers can do during tough conditions.
Ideally, pastures should be grazed down to around four to six centimetres and no lower.
Grazing below this point can impact yield in the next rotation and expose the soil to heat and moisture loss.
Leaving some green material, such as stems and pseudo stems, helps protect the soil surface and gives the pasture a better chance to survive and bounce back once rain arrives.
On high-stocking-rate farms, this can be tricky to manage, so having a set strategy is key. One option is to use sacrifice paddocks or feed pads during dry spells.
Feeding cows before they enter fresh paddocks makes it easier to control how much they graze, helping to keep residuals consistent.
Good sacrifice paddocks are close to the dairy, have shade and water, and are often already earmarked for renovation.
It’s also worth putting together a feed budget so you know exactly how much feed will be needed in the coming months.
This helps avoid over-grazing and ensures there’s enough feed on hand until conditions improve.
With a bit of planning, pastures will be in a much better position to recover once the rain does come.
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