The benefits of early grazing are no secret.

First and foremost, increased utilisation of grass in the spring has the potential to significantly lower feeding costs by replacing expensive silage and concentrates with grazed grass.

The biggest challenge with spring grazing is trying maximise the amount of grass grazed early

Furthermore, early grazing also leads to improved grass quality in the second and third rotations, as well as increasing the quantity of grass grown on the farm annually.

The biggest challenge with spring grazing is trying maximise the amount of grass grazed early on the farm, while at the same time ensuring there will be enough grass until the start of the second grazing rotation in April.

It’s a tricky task and one that requires good judgement and timing.

Spring rotation planner

The spring rotation planner is a simple and effective tool that ensures the two objectives mentioned above are met.

It works by dividing the area of your farm into weekly portions for grazing.

By doing so, you can ensure sufficient grass is grazed to allow time for regrowth for the second rotation, as well as ensuring grass does not run out before the start of that rotation.

By grazing a certain amount each week, the planner also means that a wedge-shape of grass supply can be achieved, thus ensuring sufficient quantities of grass in the second rotation.

The weekly portions differ between wet and dry farms.

Dry farms

For dry farms, the targets are as follows:

  • Turnout: early to mid-Febuary.
  • 30% grazed: 1 March.
  • 60% grazed: 17 March.

    100% grazed: 5 April.

    Wet farms

    In general, the target dates for wet farms will be 10 to 15 days later than for dry farms.

  • Turnout: late February.
  • 30% grazed: 10 March.
  • 60% grazed: 27 March.

    100% grazed: 15 April.

    The template

    Table 1 is a sample template for a spring rotation planner.

    It is based on a 40ha farm where turnout date is 1 February and magic day (start of second rotation) is 4 April.

    Note that after the first four weeks, 30% will be grazed.

    In these weeks, the allocation is 2.8ha/week, as only a small amount of stock will be turned out initially.

    After two more weeks, 60% will be grazed. The weekly allocation has gone up to 6ha to allow for more stock to be turned out.

    After a further three weeks, 100% of the farm will be grazed.

    Looking at the column on the right-hand-side of the table, the area grazed first is expected to have 800kg to 1,200kg DM/ha down to 100kg to 400kg DM/ha in the areas grazed last.

    This represents the expected appearance of the grass wedge at the end of the rotation.

    This sample template should be adapted to meet your farm's specific needs - total farm areas, the target dates and the weekly allocation as required.