Home Forage Application manual The benefits of pasture renovation

The benefits of pasture renovation

Pastures can lose quality as they get older. Although the fields are still covered with grass it is not certain that farmers are still getting maximum output from their pastures. In many modern dairy  systems it is crucial to maintain maximum output from the grassland. If not, the fields will produce less dry matter and also the forage quality will become insufficient, resulting in higher (additional) feeding costs per cow. It therefore is important to renovate pastures as soon as they start to lose quality.

When to renovate?

If one or more of the following problems appear during the growing season:

  • water remains on top surface during growing season
  • the grass shows slow regrowth
  • the grass is heading continuously
  • the botanical composition consists of less than 75% good grasses
  • cows have difficulties to maintain their milk production level


If one or more of the following conclusions can be drawn from the silage analysis:

  • the total dry matter yield is too low
  • the crude ash content is too high
  • the digestibility of the organic substance is lower than 70%
  • disappointing feeding value despite good ensiling technique

What are the costs and benefits of pasture renovation?

Spraying old sward (including product)

25

Rotary cultivating (5cm)

100

Ploughing (with land packer)

113

Levelling out

pm

Seedbed preparation & sowing

90

Seeds

110

 

 

Total costs per hectare

438 Euro

 

(Costs are based on a Dutch situation)

 

After renovation, the improved field offers a better botanical composition of the sward, better sward density and increased dry matter yield and feeding value. What this will mean in economic terms for the farm is presented in the next table.

What is the effect of grassland renovation?

  • Increased dry matter yield per hectare resulting in lower costs for purchasing concentrates or forage  products.
  • Better forage quality (VEM) per kg dry matter (palatability + digestibility)
  • In this example: + 2337 kVEM per ha
  • An added value of (2337 kVEM x 0.15 ct/ kVEM) = 350 Euro/ha
  • Better dry matter intake by the animals

 

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