The production and utilization of winter grass

Extract

The investigations that have been in progress at the Grassland Research Station, Stratford-on-Avon, on the management of grassland for the production of winter pasturage are discussed as four experiments, E 62, E117, E 86 and E158.

Exp. E 62 was concerned solely with herbage production, while the remaining three have taken into account the performance of the beef animal under such pasture treatment.

The maintenance of condition in the animal has proved possible over a number of winter seasons from 1948 to 1953, sufficiently so to warrant investigation of the means of providing as abundant pasturage as possible at this time of year from latesummer and autumn rested swards. The importance of integrating a system of winter utilization with summer production has become evident in the course of the work, and the necessity of upkeeping sward condition, more especially the grass-legume balance, has been realized. The use of alternate drills of grass and lucerne shows considerable promise in this respect. Intensive utilization and production has taken place from such seedings at all seasons without serious sward deterioration.

The development of a grazing system for outwintering cattle destined to be fattened on summer pastures would provide a means whereby such cattle would be fed with as little attention and labour demand as is consistent with good stock management. With the need for cheapening of costs in beef production methods in Britain attention might well be paid to the methods outlined in the light of the experimental data presented.