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Management

Information on management of new grass

First 6-10 weeks

DO

Graze lightly when grass seedlings cannot be 'plucked out' by hand. Aim to remove top 2-3 cm using young stock.

Spray weeds.

Apply N (20-25 kg N/ha).

DON'T

Pug new pastures - graze in dry conditions.

Delay the first grazing. This slows establishment and can reduce yield by up to 1 t DM/ha.

Second grazing onwards

DO

Maintain consistent residuals - new pasture grows rapidly and needs frequent grazing.

Monitor weeds.                                                                     

DON'T

Let pastures get too long.

Make heavy hay or silage crops in the first season.

First winter

DO

Apply N before soil drops below 80C or before become too wet.

DON'T

Pug new pasture - keep off young pastures in wet conditions.

First summer

DO

Be gentle on new pastures.

If dry, keep grazing light, leaving at least 2-3 cm residual.

DON'T

Overgraze.

Restock new pasture too early after dry spells - let it recover and build its reserves.

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