Pasture maintenance/management

The main objective of pasture maintenance/management is to keep the pasture at very high production level which is possible throughout the usage year. The high productivity should be both in quantity and as well as in quality. However, the productivity of the pasture go a long way in determining the performance of the animal.

Fencing

This is necessary to avoid indiscriminate uses of the pasture or stray animal from entry into the pasture. The periferium is usually fenced while the inside is partition into paddock for judicious use of the pasture.

Weed control

Weed control on large pasture crops is commonly been carried out by pre – sowing and post – sowing herbicides. For most farmers, manual and mechanical control measures are frequently adopted, this can be by requirement.

Fertilizer application

Fertilizer application improves the productivity of the pasture in quality and in quantity. Fertilizer application will cause an increase herbage production and the herbage so produce will have increase nutrient content. For example, nitrogen increases the nutrient intake herbage production.

Proper cutting or grazing

This is also known as grazing management. It is aimed at keeping the pasture and using it at its most nutritious stage. Optimum grazing – cutting is when the plant is leafy just before flowering and at this, there is sufficient bulk. Different forages have different grazing or cutting period.

Quantity and quality have to be compromise and this stage varies from grass to grass. Too frequent cutting or grazing of better plant may reduce they vigor, because of the depletion of reserve food in their roots. This will not only reduce yield, also the cost of time the plant will die out.

On the other hand, cutting and grazing below the optimum period, also in cost of time will increase the bulk and fibrous material. Note that the increase is outweighed by the decline in bulk of nutritive value usually detected by low protein and ash content. The rise of fibres and total CHO is a feature of low quality pasture.

Liming

Liming should followed by ploughing and harrowing. The lime reduces soil acidity and the soil response better to fertilizer application for higher yield of pasture.

The lime also help to kill inters of insect, metamorphosis in the soil. Liming also help in the supply of calcium to the soil.

Other pasture maintenance/management includes;

• Paddocking
• Ploughing and harrowing
• Burning.