Managing autumn pastures

Developing a plan for pasture management is important during April. The plan needs to take into account a number of key factors including: Pasture pest activity Keep an eye out for lucerne flea and red legged earth mite in pastures, they are easily controllable and can be damaging to pastures if left untreated.

Red headed cockchafers are often a problem in autumn, they are not able to be controlled but some management can minimise the damage to pastures.

Test pasture in affected areas, that’s ready to graze for pulling by grabbing pasture and trying to pull it out. If it pulls out consider pre graze topping the pasture to minimise cows pulling out the pasture. Cows Prepare to dry off spring calving cows (depending on calving date). The process of drying cows off well, will impact the likelihood of mastitis in the following lactation.

Prepare a plan for dry cow feeding and transition cow feeding along with your preferred calving areas on the farm to minimise labour and to maximise cow comfort. Heifers Feed calves well with healthy weaning weights in mind using milk, fresh water, some fibre and calf pellets.

Feed quality supplements to dairy heifers.