Grazing management of sheep : deferred grazing
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Deferred grazing is a tactic where stock are excluded from pasture areas to maximise germination and establishment of pasture seedlings.
When would I use deferred grazing?
Deferred Grazing is a tactic to be used after the break of season. It is most appropriate:
- Where false breaks have occurred previously in the season, resulting in a reduced seed bank
- Where stocking rates are high
- When the “real break” is late.
It is not generally necessary to defer pastures after an early break of the season (January, February or March). In this case, it is better to graze this high quality feed to improve the condition of sheep, and potentially reduce supplementary feed requirements. These pastures will have adequate time to reach desired production targets before winter.
What are the benefits of deferred grazing?
Deferred grazing helps establish a dense and productive annual pasture by preventing over-grazing during establishment. It is important to have established a productive pasture before mid-winter, as growth is naturally slowed at this time of the season. A minimum FOO of 1000 kg DM/ha is desirable going into winter, but optimum pasture growth occurs at around 1400 kg DM/ha.
The effects of deferment on plant density will be greater at higher stocking rates. Autumn deferment may be more appropriate for farmers at near-optimal stocking rates. In some seasons where pasture growth is very slow, deferred grazing may be most beneficial when combined with strip grazing because the accumulated pasture is rationed. Refer to the Strip Grazing Page for details.
How do I defer graze?
Concentrate sheep on selected ‘sacrificial™ paddocks or laneways, leaving more productive paddocks ungrazed. Sacrificial paddocks should have low erosion risk. Paddocks entering a cropping phase may benefit from early grazing to remove weeds.
Feedlot or confinement feed sheep only if you have the resources to do so effectively. Be aware of the animal health risks associated with this practice.
The length of deferment should be governed by pasture growth. Defer to a minimum of 500 kg DM/ha, or preferably 800 kg DM/ha. Refer to Deferred Grazing Calculator for details.
Run older, dry sheep at higher stocking rates, allowing pregnant or lambing ewes access to deferred paddocks.
Feed budgeting is essential to ensure that sheep receive sufficient feed, and monitoring stock condition/liveweight is a useful indicator of daily feed intake. Supplementary feeding may be required to compensate for higher stocking rates or lack of available feed in sacrificial paddocks. Refer to the Supplementary Feeding Page for details.
Deferred grazing may lead to increased broad-leaf composition.
Deferred Grazing Calculator
Page updated: 7 September 2006
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